Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy seas 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. The lookout replied “Steady Captain” which meant we were on a collision course with the ship. The Captain called to the signalman “Signal the ship: We are on a collision course advise you change course 20 degrees” A signal came back “Advise you to change course 20 degrees” The Captain said “Send: I’m a Captain, change your course 20 degrees”. The reply came back “I’m a seaman second class; you had better change your course 20 degrees”. The Captain was furious. He spat out “Send: I’m a battle ship. Change course 20 degrees” Back came the reply “I’m a light house”. We changed course.