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OP Many years ago, I went to sea for an extended period on USS Triton. She was the largest submarine in the world at the time (402 feet long). Displayed in the wardroom was a plaque with the (approximate) Latin phrase: "Ave nobilis dux, iterum factum est." I was told that this plaque commemorated the Triton's submerged circumnavigation of the world, and the Latin, loosely translated, meant "Hail noble warriors, we have done it again." (Alluding to Magellens's circumnavigtion of the globe). The plaque was specifically designed for public presentation to the government of Spain.
The story, as told to me, is that an error in spelling caused the Latin phrase to come out: "Ave nobilis dux, iterum sactum est." (Loosely translated: "Hail noble warriors, we've been had again)," causing much embarrassment for the U.S. and much amusement for the Spanish. I've often wondered whether the Latin phrases cited give credence to the story.
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