Britannia rules the waves!

Bastard · Post by **Bastard** » 2002-12-02 07:27pm

Just read in the paper today about this volcanic island in the Mediteranean that is rising to the surface.

It first rose about 200 years ago and was claimed by Britain, France, and Spain simultaneously.

Britain was the first to plant the flag on it though.

However, some spanish subsequently landed and took down the flag. They were followed up by the french who left a few people there.

The dispute got hotter and hotter and the three countries were on the brink of war over it, when the island sank again, leaving nothing to fight over.

Now however, as a result of volcanic activity in nearby Sicily, the island is rising again and may soon break the surface. Britain, France and Spain are already arguing over claim to it if it does rise.

However, the other day, the great great great great grandson of the English captain who originally planted the flag on it, went to the location of the island in a boat, with a Union Flag. He then dived down with scuba gear, and planted the flag atop the island's summit, currently 25 feet below the surface, re-staking the claim of the island for the British Crown.

Post by **Dalton** » 2002-12-02 07:34pm

Hmm, I bet this is what the book Jingo was based on.

Sonnenburg · Post by **Sonnenburg** » 2002-12-02 07:38pm

Gotta love that Pratchett.

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2002-12-02 07:42pm

Ah, interesting. Hail Britainnia! Her sphere of influence is icreasing.

IRG CommandoJoe · Post by **IRG CommandoJoe** » 2002-12-02 07:51pm

Why would they want to squabble over an island that might sink again? This one of the dumbest international disputes I've ever seen.

Mike_6002 · Post by **Mike_6002** » 2002-12-02 07:53pm

WTF?

That all I have to say

Post by **Dalton** » 2002-12-02 08:10pm

Sonnenburg wrote:Gotta love that Pratchett.

Though it's kind of hard to see Blair as a real-world equivalent to Vetinari. Or vice-versa.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2002-12-02 08:22pm

Pathetic. The UNS carrier battle groups stationed in the Persian Gulf probably have a greater land area.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2002-12-03 02:43am

And what will stop the spaniards taking the flag away again?

neoolong · Post by **neoolong** » 2002-12-03 02:52am

IRG CommandoJoe wrote:Why would they want to squabble over an island that might sink again? This one of the dumbest international disputes I've ever seen.

It's the principle of the matter.

Which means intelligence goes right out the window.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-12-03 04:26pm

Cyril wrote:Pathetic. The UNS carrier battle groups stationed in the Persian Gulf probably have a greater land area.

4.5 acres of 33 knot mobile freedom, five are heading for the gulf.

You know, I'll be surprised if no one attempts to claim this place and declare it an independent country.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » 2002-12-03 05:25pm

It aint a "mobile freedom". More like a mobile jail. Sure you get food, fresh air and McDonalds, but you can't go home until your tour is up.

Slartibartfast · Post by **Slartibartfast** » 2002-12-03 05:37pm

U.K.: mine!
Spain: no, mine!
France: mine!
U.K.: oh yeah?
Spain: yeah! shaddap!
France: mine mine mine!
U.K.: no you shaddap!
Spain: you shaddap infinite times!
France: sacre bleu! mine!

Ted · Post by **Ted** » 2002-12-03 05:39pm

Who's got the most warships that can get there the quickest?

The RN?

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2002-12-03 05:41pm

Be real funny if the French, Spanish, or English launch a ship to go claim the island, only to find it defended by a USN carrier...

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2002-12-03 05:45pm

Cyril wrote:Be real funny if the French, Spainish, or English launch a ship to go claim the island, only to find it defended by a UNS carrier...

*Random bloke sails up in dinghy and while the world navies are arguing, plants his flags in the island and US carrier and other ships then swims off*

"Aw crap, now non of us own our ships! Stupid..."

*Reads flag*

"...Stardestroyer.net."

RadiO · Post by **RadiO** » 2002-12-03 05:47pm

Cyril wrote:Be real funny if the French, Spainish, or English launch a ship to go claim the island, only to find it defended by a UNS carrier...

But what if the British or French ship is an SSN?

(*runs*)

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2002-12-03 05:48pm

RadiO wrote:
Cyril wrote:Be real funny if the French, Spainish, or English launch a ship to go claim the island, only to find it defended by a UNS carrier...
But what if the British or French ship is an SSN?

(*runs*)

Then it is a boat, not a ship.

RadiO · Post by **RadiO** » 2002-12-03 05:57pm

Admiral Valdemar wrote:
RadiO wrote: But what if the British or French ship is an SSN?

(*runs*)
Then it is a boat, not a ship.

Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-12-03 07:03pm

RadiO wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote:
RadiO wrote: But what if the British or French ship is an SSN?

(*runs*)
Then it is a boat, not a ship.
Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!

Horrors a crappy SSN, the USN force is doomed! All the Carrier has is its pair of 688i's and 20 odd ASW aircraft for protection along with a half dozen escorts with excellent sonar, wait never mind...

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-12-03 07:04pm

Ted wrote:Who's got the most warships that can get there the quickest?

The RN?

French , maybe Spanish. The RN would be lucky if it could send a lone Type 23 to the place.

Malecoda · Post by **Malecoda** » 2002-12-03 09:51pm

And that's just our UNS carriers! Just wait 'til the USN gets ahold of it!

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2002-12-03 09:57pm

And that's just our UNS carriers! Just wait 'til the USN gets ahold of it!

Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-12-03 10:08pm

Cyril wrote:
And that's just our UNS carriers! Just wait 'til the USN gets ahold of it!
Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?

Making fun of the fact that you miss spelled USN UNS in your post.

Ted · Post by **Ted** » 2002-12-04 12:17am

Sea Skimmer wrote:
RadiO wrote:
Admiral Valdemar wrote: Then it is a boat, not a ship.
Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!
Horrors a crappy SSN, the USN force is doomed! All the Carrier has is its pair of 688i's and 20 odd ASW aircraft for protection along with a half dozen escorts with excellent sonar, wait never mind...

Didn't you hear about the exercise in the gulf a few years back?

Where an SSN was the attacker and was to go in and sink the carrier?

In that it sneaked up so close that the SSN captain didn't need the magnifying periscope to see it?

And then promptly sunk the carrier and got away only to be trapped 2 days later as they ran out of gulf?