"Si ambas luces de un vapor"... ¡en inglés!

[J.R.]

Acabo de descubrir que esos tradicionales versos que describen las luces de navegación y las reglas de preferencia ("Si ambas luces de un vapor / Por la proa has avistado / ...", que muchos conocemos) tienen su versión en inglés y que además, es muy similar a su equivalente español (solo como curiosidad, lo he encontrado en el grupo de "Innombrables" del Facebook):

(1.) Two Steam Ships meeting.

When both side-lights you see ahead —
Port your helm and show your RED.

(2.) Two Steam Ships passing.

GREEN to GREEN — or, RED to RED —
Perfect safety — go ahead!

(3.) Two Steam Ships crossing.

Note. — This is the position of greatest danger; there is nothing for it but good look-out, caution and judgment.

If to your starboard RED appear,
It is your duty to keep clear;
To act as judgment says is proper;
To Port — or Starboard — Back — or Stop her!
But when upon your Port is seen
A Steamer's Starboard Light of GREEN,
There's not so much for you to do,
For GREEN to Port keeps clear of you.

(4.) All Ships must keep a good look-out, and Steam Ships must stop and go astern, if necessary.

Both in safety and in doubt
Always keep a good look-out;
In danger, with no room to turn,
Ease her, Stop her, Go astern.

—Thomas Gray, Rule of the Road at Sea, 1867