Another Arrogant "Captain" Heads for Collision Course

Years ago, I came across this story in one of Stephen Covey's books, and it reminds me now of the dangers that can lie ahead when you have an arrogant, stubborn man in charge of your destiny. This captain too, demanded to "stay the course". (The article by Frank Koch in "Proceedings", the magazine of the Naval Institute, was printed in Covey's book.)


Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow."

"Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out.

Lookout replied, "Steady, captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees."

Back came a signal, "Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees,"

The captain said, send "I'm a captain, change course 20 degrees."

"I'm a seaman second class," came the reply. "YOU had better change course 20 degrees."

By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send, I'm a battleship. Change course 20 degrees."

Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse."

We changed course.
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(Of course, today our "captain" (better known as "the decider") who is overseeing the Iraqi War, cannot bear to utter those words of change. He would rather remain stubborn and arrogant (while many young Americans get killed), instead of voicing those three little words, "I was wrong".

"It was never about stay the course." Is the new slogan.

Methinks he realizes it is a lighthouse. On an Iarqi shoal.