From B.E. Smith of London, Ont., we hear of a man who fell overboard from His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Nootka in 1946.

The ship shuddered as the engines stopped and then reversed.  Helplessness gripped those on deck.  The sun, glistening on a gentle swell, made the chances of seeing a man next to impossible.  Binoculars were passed around, more in desperation than in hope.

Miraculously, an officer spotted a distant speck.  A boat rushed out and fished out their comrade.

The rescued sailor, raging drunk, cursed everyone in sight.  No one took offence; we were glad to have him back.

Next day, repentant and confused, he pleaded before the captain: “It was my birthday.  I got a bottle of rum as a present.  I don’t remember being in the water.  I don’t even know how to swim.”

The thankful captain, looking for a way to let the prodigal off easy, pronounced: “Guilty of absence without leave for 11 minutes.”