Observing a light across the water, the captain had his signalman instruct the other vessel to change her course ten degrees south.
The response was prompt:
Change your course ten degrees north."
"I am a captain," he responded testily.
"Change your course ten degrees south."
The reply: "I’m a seaman first class–change your course north."
The captain was furious.
"Change your course now.
I’m on a battleship."
"Change your course ten degrees north, sir–
I’m in a lighthouse!"