I've
taken the liberty of copying this news story from "Westword", the
community newspaper for Mallaig and the Small Isles as it so completely
absurd and ridiculous.
Spanish John in Battleship Drama
A local cargo vessel, the 18 metre landing craft Spanish John II was
caught up in a frightening incident with a large battleship in the
Minch recently. "I got the fright of my life" said the Spanish John
skipper Greig Milligan. "I had no warning of a naval exercise taking
place but when the shells were fired, just for a second or two the
thought went through my head I hope they aren't firing at me. It was a
bit scary".
Friday 28th October had started off quietly enough and although
not the best of days weatherwise Greig decided to head for Canna. On
board the Spanish John was 40 tonnes of rat poison for the New Zealand
team of rodent experts who are ridding the island of rat infestation.
Although hearing some extra activity on the ships VHF Radio Greig
left Mallaig Harbour and set course for Canna. Two hours out from
Mallaig the silence in the wheelhouse of the Spanish John was broken by
an American voice coming over the VHF and that's when Greig noticed the
huge battleship in the distance. "Vessel approaching battleship,
crossing my starboard side, please pull away now - you are entering my
safety zone" was the message which was repeated and repeated with the
R.O.'s voice getting more and more high pitched. Greig wasn't too
bothered at this point as he was on the port side of the navy ship,
none the less he altered course slightly just in case.
The Radio messages kept coming and as Greig could not see any
other vessel in the vicinity he began to wonder if it was the Spanish
John that the warship was trying to warn off. "Power vessel with black
hull and white superstructure approaching on starboard side, please
pull away now". This was repeated a further six times with increasing
urgency.
Greig was beginning to get very concerned and tried unsuccessfully
to contact the warship. The Spanish John has a dark blue hull and the
drums of poison on board could explain the white superstructure. Again
Greig altered course although still remaining on the port side of the
warship.
"Vessel on starboard side, vessel on starboard side you are
entering my safety zone - I'll have to defend myself". The Radio
Operators tone became more and more agitated, Greig got more and more
concerned. Then it came "I'll have to defend myself - I'm opening fire"
"I'll have to defend myself - I'm opening fire". Then they came. "Four
shells were fired. Two white, two red " said Greig. I did get a fright
and being caught up in the increasing tension of the incident
heightened the emotions. My brain was in overdrive I just wondered what
the hell was going on".
That was the end of the incident, no more histrionics on the VHF
by the battleship Radio Operator, no more contact with any other vessel
and as the rats on Canna will have found out to their cost the Spanish
John safely delivered its load to Canna!
Saturday, 10 December 2005
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