All language subtitles for The.Wackiest.Ship.In.The.Army.1960

NARRATOR: If you remember
Pearl Harbor,

you'll recall that
in the year that followed,

the Japanese
were almost invincible.

Early in 1943, however,
they were checked.

Stopped cold
by the marines
at Guadalcanal,

the Navy in the Coral Sea
and the Allied armies
in New Guinea.

This was a period
of far-reaching decisions,
desperate strategies

and incredibly daring
counter-strokes,

not the least of which
involved two bright
young naval officers.

This bold, slightly
improbable adventure
began with a message

authorized by
the Commanding General,
South West Pacific Area

and flashed by top priority
to the lone carrier
on patrol in the Coral Sea.

It was an urgent request
for a particularly
qualified young officer

to lead an extremely
delicate mission.

It demanded a man,

a man of executive ability
and high intelligence

(PHONE RINGING)

and that innate quality
that enables a man to
swiftly estimate a situation

and make a wise decision.

In bestowing that most
thrilling of all awards,
an officer's first command,

the Navy knew it had a man
that would ask no questions
and offer no excuses.

He would carry out orders
regardless of what obstacles
fate put in his path.

Well...

Within the hour,
with high hopes
and only a mild headache,

Lieutenant Rip Crandall
was on his way

to a secret anchorage,
a hidden harbor,
so shrouded in mystery

that it was known
only as "somewhere
in the South Pacific."

Here, the U.S. Seventh Fleet,
victors of the Coral Sea,

drowsed at anchor, licking
their wounds, and dreaming
of the great battles to come.

And here, the lieutenant
saw his passport
to high adventure.

Here, somewhere among
the flotillas of destroyers,

their vital supply
and repair ships,

among stalwart battlewagons
of the Nevada class, carriers,

deadly cruisers
of the Boise class, escorts,
and tenders of all classes,

he found the ship
of his dreams, the Echo

in, well, a class by itself.

While at first glance,
it might have looked
like England's reply

to the Boston Tea Party,

it had nevertheless
had a distinguished career
in the copra trade.

The Navy had not only
gratefully received it
from New Zealand

as a sort of reverse
lend-lease, but had
taken great pains

to man it with a picked
crew of specialists.

Dedicated,
highly skilled seamen

who chafed at inactivity here
in this quiet backwater
far from the battle lines

and awaited only the arrival
of their commander
to swing into action.

(BLOWING WHISTLE)

Duck!

Bring that gear aboard.

Welcome aboard, sir.

What?
Belay that racket!

You want the whole
flotilla to hear us?
What is this?

Honors for the prospective
commanding officer, sir.

The officer in commission
shall see that all honors
and ceremonies...

This hulk
is commissioned?
As what?

HANSON:
It's unclassified, sir.

CRANDALL:
I can believe that.

JOHNSON: Duck!

Sorry, sir. All right,
bear a hand, there.

Let's get that thing
in port and secure it!

Johnson?

Yes, sir?

I'm sorry, sir,
but we've only been aboard
a couple of hours.

How many men
have you lost so far?

None, sir,
just a few cuts
and bruises.

Oh, don't forget
Miller, sir.

Oh, yeah.
Yeoman Miller, sir.

Transferred to
the hospital ship.

JOHNSON: Oh,
he's a real nut, sir.

I told him to look out for
the hatch, and he thought
I wanted a match, and...

(RAZZING)

Thanks, Johnson.

You can take this man
below and show him
where to stow his gear.

All right, sir.

What is all this malarkey
about this ship
being commissioned?

It's true, sir.
Admiral Hathaway
had me commission her

and sign her over to you.
The papers are
in your stateroom.

My what?

Your cabin.
You can go right ahead.
I'll bring your gear along.

Yes. Just leave it there.

Sir?

I'm sorry, sir.
I meant to warn you
about these beams.

You gotta watch it.

What did you say
your name was?

Tommy.

Sorry, sir.
Hanson, sir.
Ensign Thomas J.

Let's sit down.

My name is Crandall.
Rip Crandall.

I know that.
I'd have recognized you,
even if they hadn't told me.

You know me
from someplace?

Balboa.
The California
Yacht Club.

You were getting ready
for the Honolulu race
in '39.

What did you do?
Crew for me? Or...

I tried to, sir.

You're not the kid
that fouled up
the genoa jib?

(CHUCKLING) Oh, gee.

I remember
I was a little rough
with you that day.

Didn't I chase you
up the mast?

Yes, sir.

You said I didn't
know enough to
pour water out of a boot.

Boot. That was nice.

You were right, sir.
I nearly
wrecked your ship.

But I've studied a lot
about sailing ever since.
That's why I volunteered.

You volunteered?
What? For this?

Yes, sir. I had
a desk job here
at the base

and when Commander Vandewater
told me about this...

Vandewater?
Not Wilbur Vandewater?

I don't know.
Kind of slim,
blond hair.

And a blackguard Nazi!
That nose...

Sir?
What does he do here?

Flight secretary
to the Admiral.

Yes, he would be.

You have to take him
those clearance papers
when you've signed them.

This ship's not
officially yours
until you do.

It isn't?

You're right.
It isn't.

I'll get the ship's
boat in the water
so you can take it.

Do that, Bill. Tommy.
Wait a minute. You got
a copy of the Navy regs?

In the top left-hand
drawer, sir.

Thank you.

Anything wrong?

No. It's just that
I do everything
by the book, you know.

Your gear, sir.
I already got
that gaff secured.

The gaff. Chief.

Watch...

For your information,
it's not a gaff,
it's a boom. The main boom.

Yeah. Sorry, sir.

Mr. Hanson
has been teaching us.
The gaff is the...

The spar that, on this ship,
you would bend the head
of the foresail to.

You didn't make
your rate in sail?

No, sir. But do you think
the rest of these clowns
know anything...

Beg pardon, sir.

My last hitch
was on The Hamill,
the tender alongside, sir.

(CHUCKLING)
And you volunteered, too?

In a manner of
speaking, yes.

That is, no, sir.

You'd see it
in my record anyway.
It was this, or else.

Else what?

Chief Svenson
started his fifth hitch.

And the chief's mess
gave him kind of
a testimonial,

and I figured a party
is no good
without entertainment,

and they got this
girl dancer
at the tavern.

I see.

Nothing like that, sir.
Her husband came with her.

Only...

Only it's wartime,
and unauthorized
civilian personnel

are not allowed
on naval installations.

Particularly tenders,
the skipper said.

So he gave me my choice
of being busted or grabbing
the first ship out.

So, you volunteered.
What, the first...

The first
ship out?

That's what
they said, sir.

I've got to
get out of here.
Pardon me.

Sir!

All clear?
Lower away together.

(CREAKING)

If you don't mind,
I'd just as soon you didn't
mention it to Mr. Hanson.

He really believes I did
volunteer, and he's kind
of young and eager

and you know?

Let go of the after fall.
Let go the forward fall.

Chief, your secret
is safe with me

because I'm not
going to be around
to tell him anyway.

Leaving the ship.

HANSON:
I should have checked
the caulking, sir.

It's okay, kid,
it's nobody's fault.
Don't you worry about it.

But we'll get
you ashore, sir.
Won't we, Chief?

Yes, sir.
Right away, sir.

Horse, slack
your stern line.

Shark Bait, heave
around on the bow.
Get that thing aboard.

He can handle
anything, sir.

Yeah, I'm sure of that.

He can't wait
till we get to sea.

Yeah,
I'm sure of that, too.

What's up, Chief?

Brass, coming through.

Right this way, sir.

Family entrance?

Dock is on
the port side, sir.

Show the captain
the quarterdeck, sailor.

Welcome aboard, sir.

With him in command,
we could sail right
into Tokyo Bay.

I'd settle for
just getting out
of the harbor.

He can do that
blindfolded.

Yes, sir, but I don't think
he's going to. He didn't
take them papers, sir.

He forgot them.
He must have.

He's got to sign them.
Can I still catch him?

Sir, you get them papers.
I'll see that you catch him.

Ahoy, the weather deck!

What do you want, Jack?
A new rubber band
for the engine?

Got a special delivery
for the dock.
Can you handle it?

Yeah. Hey, Boats,
throw the hook
over the side.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(MOTOR WHIRRING)

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

Just put your foot in there
and hold on tight, sir.

Jack, don't forget
to tell him
to get a transfer.

Yeah! You have
to switch over when
you get up there, sir.

Okay, let's go.

Easy, Leahy!
Take it up!

Okay, Boats,
bring him up.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

(WHISTLE BLOWS)

If you're looking
for your brother,

he's in a scow
on the other side
of this monster.

No, sir.
It's me, sir. Tommy.

The chief had
the ship's crane
put me on the dock.

That chief. He's just
full of ideas, isn't he?
What's the rush?

I promised I'd meet
some guys at the
Officers' Club for dinner.

I just thought
I'd walk in with you.

It's a little early
for dinner, isn't it?

Yeah, but you know,
junior officers have
to get in and get out.

I was hoping
you'd have dinner
with us.

I'd like the fellows
to meet my new skipper.

Thanks, Tommy,
but I'm not
your skipper yet.

You see, I haven't
signed those papers
in your pocket.

Yeah. I figured
you forgot them, so
I brought them along.

You really didn't
forget them, did you?

You didn't think
I did, did you?

I know the ship doesn't
look like much, sir,
but it's no scow,

and once the men
get to work on it,
you'll be surprised.

If it's on
account of me, sir,
don't worry,

you can get another
junior officer.

Wait. Look, kid,
this has nothing
to do with you.

It's just that I don't
want to get stuck
on that ship, you see?

But it sails, sir.
And it might have
an important mission.

Tommy, if it was
the Vanderbilt yacht,
I wouldn't want it, kid.

Do you see
all those ships?

That's only a fraction
of the Japanese fleet.

Do you want to go up
against that in the Echo?

Yeah, maybe
you're right.

I guess I'll have to
give these to Commander
Vandewater myself.

(SIGHS)

I'll give them to Vandewater.
I'll take care of him.
Where's his office?

Headquarters building.
Behind the tug mooring, sir.

Thanks.

Look, kid, I may end up
as your skipper yet,

but you understand
why I'm trying not to,
don't you?

Yes, sir.
Okay.

(TYPING)

(INTERCOM BUZZING)

VANDEWATER:
How do we set up
now, Maggie?

Corporal Hathaway's office
called at 1700, sir.
Colonel Harris at 1705.

Briefing's at 1830.

That'll clear
the deck, sir.

Fine.

Is Lieutenant Crandall
still waiting?

Yes, sir.

But I'm sure
he understands

that you have
a full schedule,
and won't mind.

No. Send him in, please.

Yes, sir.

Permission to secure
at 1800, sir?

Permission to...
Oh. Sure.

And get me
Admiral Hathaway,
would you?

843.

(IN AUSTRALIAN ACCENT)
Tell me,
once you secure at 1800,

what would you
be doing, Maggie?

Keeping a date at 1801.

With the base efficiency
expert, of course.

Of course.

Stun the crows.

MAGGIE: Flag secretary
returning the admiral's call.

Yes, sir.
Got it right here, sir.

Somewhere. (WHISPERING)
Hi, I'll be right with you.

Yeah.

Sir? Absolutely, sir.

1900 in your quarters, sir.
Yes, sir.

1900.

What is 1900, anyway?

7:00. I might have known
you had your finger in this.

All steamed up about
my new command, and
I end up in a Chinese junk.

Huh? What are you
talking about, Rip?

I thought
you were at sea.

Oh, I was, and very happy,

until I get orders
transferring me

to a grain barge
masquerading
as a Navy vessel.

The USS Echo?

Echo?

Say, is that
the racing sloop...

Oh. Joke's over.
I've been aboard
this career-wrecker.

I was hoping
you'd report here first,
so that I...

You could con me into it?

(LAUGHING)

She's a brute, isn't she?
Uh-huh.

I'd liked to have
seen your face
when you went aboard.

But it's no joke, Rip.

This is an important
assignment.

You're getting funnier
by the minute.

No, I'm serious.

General MacArthur himself
wants her delivered
to New Guinea.

Why?

Why? You know,
I asked him
that same thing.

I said to him,
"Doug," I said,

"why do you want
that old hulk sailed
to New Guinea?"

And he said to me,
"Van, boy..."

"Drop dead."

What's MacArthur got to do
with the Navy, anyway?

Say, you have
been at sea.

Let's just say that
he mentioned it
to Admiral Hathaway,

and Admiral Hathaway
suggested that
I get with it or else,

and I, in turn...

You saw a chance
to do a favor
for an old sailing buddy.

Rip, I swear it,
your name popped out
of the IBM machine

with five or six
other ex-yachtsmen,

none of whom I would
trust with a canoe.

Mmm-hmm.

And if you don't think
it's a favor, I heard
about your fitness report.

That popped up, too?

You should get
your next promotion
around 1980.

Come on. Now, look.

All you've got to do
is slip up inside
the Great Barrier Reef,

run across the Coral Sea,
and take her into
Port Moresby.

It's blue water all the way,
prevailing winds...

Enemy planes,
enemy subs.

400 miles of open water,
I got a crew
of cherry pickers.

You beat me
to Santa Barbara once
with five Sea Scouts.

But that's got nothing
to do with this.

No. I picked you because
you're the only man I know
who can do the job.

Now I get it. Now, what,
I sit on that bucket
for the duration?

The ship's to be turned
over to the port detachment
in Moresby.

What they'll do with it,
I don't know.
That's their business.

All you've got to do
is get it there.

You'll be flown back here
for reassignment the same day
you drop the hook up there.

Now, why don't you
just sign the papers
and get it over with?

Wait, a reassignment
to what?

You'll have demonstrated
your fitness for command.

"D," maybe.

Maybe even
a destroyer.

This is a chance half
the guys in the fleet would
give their eyeteeth for.

How come I feel like
I'm buying a used car?

(CHUCKLING)

How much time
do I have to train, Van?

A couple of days, maybe.

Or more. Let's see,
to be in Moresby...

Not a chance.

Now, look, Rip,

I don't want to have
to lean on you,
but if I have to...

You'd have done it
when I first walked in.

I don't have
to take that ship.

Don't have to face
a court-martial, either.

A prospective commanding
officer must first certify
a ship in proper condition...

That applies
to assuming command
in a naval shipyard.

Paragraph 1 does.
Paragraph 3 states
elsewhere...

All right!

For a direct commission
you got to be a sea lawyer
in a hell of a hurry.

Skipper had me memories
a page every time I goofed.

Then you must know
the whole book by heart.

But Admiral Hathaway
isn't that soft.

Good luck
on your next duty.

Wait a minute.

Van, just give me
10 days to train.

Tell you what,
give you an extra day.

That's impossible,
and you know it.

I don't know anything,
except she's got to sail.

Under the second officer,
if necessary.

The kid?
But that's insane.
He couldn't.

You know as well
as I do he doesn't
have the experience.

Do I? Maybe this
will give it to him.

Did you talk him
into it, sir?

No, but I got
him worried.

Keep working on
his conscience, mister.

Aye, aye, sir.

Kid, what's with you
and Vandewater?

Nothing, sir.
He just told me
to stand by.

There might be new orders
for the Echo tomorrow, sir.

What are you doing
here, anyway?

I just came over from
the Officers' Club, sir.

I thought, you not
knowing the base,
I'd show you where it was.

I was hoping
you might have dinner
with us, sir.

Oh. Sorry,
I didn't mean
to be so suspicious.

Thanks.

The new orders, sir.
Does that mean
you got the transfer?

He's gonna talk
to the Admiral.

You'll get it.

What makes you say that?

With your experience,
they'll have to
give you a command.

Good officers
are scarce.

Command? If Admiral Dewey
was still running the Navy,

I'd be a big man,
but he ain't.

"Ironsides" Hathaway is.

Where did you say
that Officers' Club was?

Over there, in back
of the shelter.

I would like
a double anything.

Yes, sir.

Do you have any chit?
Have to get it
from the mess officer.

We're not allowed
to take cash.

Here, sir.
You can use mine.

I couldn't do
that to you, too.

I mean, it's bad enough
that... Never mind.

This is the officer
I was telling you
about, Arthur.

Lieutenant Crandall?
This is
a real pleasure, sir.

There's nothing
too good for you, sir.

Mr. Hanson was telling me
you are going to
command the Echo.

If you need an extra hand,
I sure would like a transfer.

If I were going
to command the Echo,

I doubt that
we would observe
the cocktail hour.

No, sir,
he didn't mean that.
He's a real sailor.

Did two years
as a deckhand before
the war. Right, Arthur?

Right, sir.
The Old Escobar out of Frisco.
But that was power.

And there's nothing
like sail, is there,
Lieutenant?

(MAN KNOCKING)

Coming right up,
gentlemen.

You know, once the sea
gets in your blood, I guess
you never get rid of it, sir.

Tommy, The Old Escobar
out of Frisco is
the ferry to Oakland.

I've been on it.
I wish I was on it now.

Yes, sir.
Sorry, sir.

Did Commander Vandewater
say who they'd get, sir?

No. I imagine
they'll find somebody.
Why?

Oh. No reason, sir.

I just thought, with you
in command, I'd get
real practical experience.

I've been studying up
on seamanship
and navigation...

Tommy, if you knew
I was gonna be
your skipper,

you and Vandewater
cooked this thing up.

No, sir. Not until
I saw your name on
the orders this morning.

No pretzels.

Then what difference
would it make
who got the assignment?

None, sir. Except
I thought I'd try
and show you

I wasn't as stupid
as you thought I was.
In Balboa.

I told you before.
That was five years ago...

Excuse me, sir.

The two gentlemen
with the nurse
are waiting for you, sir.

Thanks.
Won't you join us, sir?
I told them about you, too.

I see. And you primed them
full of the salty talk

on how they were
gonna sail with me, too?
What are you trying to...

I'm sorry.
It's really nothing.

I've got a lot
on my mind.

It's been
a tough afternoon.
You run along.

I'm sorry.
I'll join you later.

Yes, sir.

(WHISPERING) Arthur.

Would you like me to
freshen it up a bit, sir?

You're gonna
freshen that up?

(LAUGHING) You can't fly
on one wing, sir.

(LAUGHING UNCOMFORTABLY)

Thanks, Jimmy.
And don't bother to wait.

Yes, ma'am. Thanks.

Coming through.
Pardon me, gentlemen.

Do one of these.
Kid, I got one
that will stop you.

(PLAYING PIANO)

Okay.

(SCATTING)

* Do you know
what it means
to miss New Orleans

* And miss it
each night and day?

* I know I'm not wrong

* The feeling's
getting stronger

* The longer
I stay away

* Miss the moss-covered vines

* The tall sugar pines

* Where mockin' birds
used to sing

* And I'd like to see

* The lazy Mississippi

* A-hurryin' into spring

* The moonlight
on the bayou

* A Creole tune
that fills the air

* I dream about magnolias
in June

* And soon I'm wishing
that I was there

(SCATTING)

* Do you know
what it means

* To miss New Orleans

* When that's where
you left your heart?

* And there's somethin' more

* I miss
the one I care for

* More than I miss
New Orleans *

Wonderful, boy.

Tommy, you're magnificent.
Wonderful.

Hanson, you were the...
Wait a minute.

Where are you going?
We're just
getting warmed up.

We should get back
to the ship, sir.

We have to get
the anchor watch set.
Ship's security.

Yeah, you're right.
I'll just finish this.

Here he comes.
I love your work.

From the time
we came in here
this afternoon,

this guy's kept my glass
filled with whiskey
so you can shanghai me.

Where'd you get
"we gotta go back
to the ship" business?

Will you fill me
with the sauce
and then...

No, sir. You left
your gear over there.

And you haven't got
a place to stay.

Until you're reassigned,
I mean.

Right.

I could stay
at the Bachelor
Officers' Quarters.

Yes, sir. I forgot.
I'll have them
bring your gear over.

No, wait a minute, kid.

I'm sorry.
I've been needling
you all night long

and you haven't done
anything to deserve it.

It's just something
is eating me.

Look, just chalk it
up to the fact

that I'm a heel,
and you're much better off
that I didn't take command.

No, I couldn't do that, sir.
You have to do what
you think is right.

I'll have them bring
your gear over.

No.

Leave it there and
I'll pick it up sometime.

Give me a chance
to see the hulk again.
And you.

Thank you, sir.
Good night, sir.

Take care
of yourself, kid.

Miss Typewriter of 1943.

What happened to
your efficiency expert?

Did he get his head
caught in a filing cabinet,
I hope?

Never mind,
old daddy's here. Arthur.
Old daddy's here.

Would you bring this girl
something tall and cool?

If you don't mind,
Lieutenant,

I'm looking for
an Ensign Hanson.

He's your date?
He gets around better
than I thought.

This is official
Navy business, sir.

I have some documents
which must be
signed by 2300.

There you go with
those numbers again.

Ensign Hanson
just left, ma'am.

I could try
and catch him.

He left in a fast jeep.
What documents?

I don't believe
that's any concern
of yours, Lieutenant.

It's in connection
with Ensign Hanson's
ship, the Echo.

I see. At the moment,
I'm still under orders
to take command.

And if you don't mind,
anything concerning
the Echo also concerns me.

Would you step
into my office
for a moment, please?

Arthur! The wine.
Here we are,
open for business.

Let's see the papers.

I understood you were
to be reassigned, sir.

I don't think I should.

I haven't been
reassigned yet.
Give me the papers.

I want to see the swindle
Vandewater's trying to pull.

This has nothing to do
with Commander Vandewater.

And I don't think Admiral
Hathaway would appreciate
your terminology.

They're the acceptance
papers from the Echo.

The Admiral wants
them signed tonight.

By Ensign Hanson?

By Ensign Hanson.

If you really need him,
his ship's down
at the end of the dock.

I can send a fellow
over for him.

You're a little
over-trained.

If you're not careful,
I'll have you transferred
to the Echo.

ARTHUR: Yes, sir.
Sorry, sir.

He did it.
He wasn't bluffing.

I think that Admiral
will have his grandmother
made skipper.

Are they all
in order, sir?

Right down to
the fine print.

In that case, you can't
have any objection to
Ensign Hanson signing them.

Where did you say
his ship is?

Bye, Arthur.
ARTHUR: Bye, sir.

Now, Lieutenant, look.
I told you, the Admiral wants
those papers signed by...

They will be.
You got a pen?

Yes, sir.

But they have to be
signed by the officer
taking command.

I know that.
Give me the pen.

Gosh, Lieutenant,
after the way you
behaved this afternoon,

I wouldn't have thought
a team of horses could've
gotten you on that ship.

Shut up.

(SIGHS) Well,
mission accomplished.

Good work, Hanson.

Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.

I guess.
Good night.

(WHISTLES)

Shark Bait,
will you just try
to stay with it?

I'm sorry, Chief.

Good morning, sir.

Hmm.

Beautiful morning, Captain.

Horse.

You might have
better luck... Chief.

You might have better luck
with that thing if you laid
the gasket on the boom first.

Yes, sir. Lay the...

Gasket.

Under the foot
of the sails there,
on the boom.

Yes, sir.

Your coffee, sir.

Oh. thank you.

(GULPS)

What was in that?

That was an egg, sir.
And Mr...

I thought it'd settle
the grounds, sir.
Something wrong with it?

Yeah. I thought
I swallowed my tongue.

Mr. Hanson meant eggshells
in the bottom of the pot.

Not a raw egg
in the cup.

What were you before
you entered the service?

I was a cook, sir.
I've been one for years.

I'll have another cup.
With grounds.

Yes, sir.

Shackle the foresheet
to the traveler.
Good morning, sir.

(WHISPERING)
This to that.

This is supposed
to be the winch?

Huh? Oh, I beg
your pardon, sir.

Winch?
Yeah.

No, sir. This is
a spark plug, sir.

I was talking about
the engine itself.
This is the power takeoff?

Beats me, sir.
Mr. Hanson just told me
to get it running.

I see. What's your name?

Sparks, sir.

Radioman,
Second Class, sir.

Yes, all radiomen
are called Sparks.

I mean, what is
your actual name?

That's it, sir.
A.J. Sparks Jr.

Funny, ain't it? I mean,
being named Sparks
and making radioman.

It's very...

All I wanna know
is if this is
the power takeoff?

I wrote my old man about it.
And he's A.J. Sparks Sr.

But he darn near
died laughing.

A fortunate thing
he didn't.

Ship rigged
and ready, sir.

Request permission
to send watch
to breakfast.

I'd like to see
the foresail
set first, mister.

The foresail?
Yes, sir.

Chief!

Set the foresail.

Aye, aye, sir.

Stand by
to set the foresail!

Chief,
get a load of this.

Man the fore halyards.

Man the fore halyards!

HANSON: Stand by
the foresheets.

CHIEF: Stand by
the foresheets!

Take this line and wrap it
a couple of times
around the winch.

Get that line
ready for running.

Come on.
Get that other line clear.

Stand by
to hoist away.

All hands,
stand by to hoist away!

All hands,
stand by to sink!

(CREW LAUGHING)

All right,
break it up, you guys.
You got nothing to do?

Sir, the winch is still
being repaired. Shall
we take it up manually?

No.

Have the men stand down.
I wanna talk to them.

Stand down.

Sir?

Stand easy.

That was pretty
miserable, wasn't it?

Hmm?

No reason why
it shouldn't be.

With the exception of
Mr. Hanson and myself,

none of you knows
the slightest thing
about sailing.

Nobody expects
you to.

However, this ship
sails for New Guinea
Friday morning.

Once we're at sea,
any sailing order
that isn't carried out

sharply and efficiently
could cost any or
all of you your lives.

Now, I can't make
blue-water sailors
out of you overnight.

But you are all
Navy men.

If you're willing
to work 18 hours a day
for the next three days,

I think I can teach you
enough to get by on.

But if you can't
cut it,

if any one of you
thinks that he might
endanger the lives

of the rest of the members
of this crew, then put in
for a transfer, and now.

There's no disgrace to it.

I'll be in my quarters
for the next hour,
any man who wants to see me.

That's all.
Dismissed.

Chief, I prefer
that you and Mr. Hanson
remain on deck.

Let the men decide
this for themselves.

What do we do
if they all quit?

(BELL RINGING)

Hello, Johnson.
Yes, sir.

You didn't eat
very much, sir.

I wasn't
very hungry.

Not that there was
anything wrong
with the food. I just...

(SIGHS)

Men eat yet?

Yes, sir.
They ate real good.

Kind of quiet,
but real quick.

What do you
mean, "quiet"?

Sir, a couple of them said
something about seeing
Mr. Hanson and the chief.

They wanted to see
Hanson and the...

(CREW CHANTING)

CREW: Upper shroud,
lower shroud, topping lift.

Upper shroud,
lower shroud,
topping lift.

Jibstay, forestay,
foremast, stow.

How about that?

Don't knock it.
It works.

CREW: Gaff, foresail, gasket.

Gaff, foresail, gasket.

Callahan, standing
or running rigging?

Blue standing,
red running...
Running rigging, Chief.

Sheet or halyard? You.

Sheets, trims, sails,
halyards, hoists.
Halyard, Chief.

Which one?

I don't know.

They'll know her
by tomorrow, sir.

With your permission,

the crew'd like
to take another run
at setting the foresail.

Very well.
Okay, Chief.

Aye, aye, sir.
Stand by to hoist
the foresail!

Shark Bait,
throw up the...

Gaskets.
Gaskets.

(LAUGHING)

Horse, stand by the foresheet.
Halyards to the winch!

Come on, you told me
you'd get
that thing working.

Sure. When do
you want it for?

Now, you idiot.
You think you're back
in that service station?

(LAUGHING)

Take up the slack.

Set the foresail, Chief.

CHIEF: Aye, aye, sir.

Stand by the mainsail.
Engage the winch.

Spark!
I'm trying!

(MOTOR WHIRRING)

Hoist away!

(CREAKING)

Take it easy!
You'll rip the mast out.

Slack it easy.

It's stuck. Heave!

(WINCH SPUTTERING)

It's stuck, sir.

It's stuck, sir.
Yeah.

Did you grease the mast?
That's all it needs.

Don't worry about it.
You better bring it down.

Okay, slack it off
and lower away.

Slack off
and lower away!

(CREAKING)

CRANDALL: It's still stuck.
You get a man up on the rig
and kick the gaff jaws loose.

I'll go myself, sir.

One volunteer. You.

There's nothing
to it, sailor.

Yeah?
Why don't you go?

Move.

Can't we talk this
over, Chief?

He's scared
to death, sir.

If he doesn't do it here,
he'll never do it at sea.

Come on, boy.
There's nothing to it.

You'll be
all right, son.

Just take one step
at a time, okay?

Take it easy.
Now, don't look down!

Close your eyes.

Now, when you open them,
look straight ahead.

That's a boy.
Just keep your eyes level

and go on up
one rung at a time.
You can do it.

That's it, sailor.
Now, go ahead.

Now, I want you
to go on up

until you are level
with the gaff jaws.
You know what they are?

Yeah.
CRANDALL: All right.

When you get there,
and when you're ready,
just reach out

and see if you can
kick them free
with your foot.

You understand?

That's the boy.
When you feel it,

I want you to reach out
with your right foot

and kick
the gaff jaws loose.

That's it.
Reach out.

Don't look down!

Now, kick it loose.

(SCREAMING)

Hook your foot
in the shroud.

I can't.

Take another turn
around that winch
and hold it fast.

Take it easy, kid,
I'm coming.

I'm slipping.
My hands are slipping.
I'll fall.

Stop that! Wanna
land on someone?

Got you.

Let go with
your left hand.

(GROANING)

Oh, boy.

I would've fell.

If you hadn't
been here,
I'd have let go.

Never.

Hang on, I'm going up
and kick her free.

Okay.

Hang on, kid.
All right, lower it away,
Mr. Hanson. It's free.

All right,
lower away, Chief.

CHIEF: Slow now,
slow. Slow.

Pull what you got.

(WINCH CHUGGING)

(WINCH SPUTTERING)

(BELL RINGING)

Wait for me!

That's my ship leaving.
Will you let me
through, you guys?

That's my ship.

Wait a minute, boy.
What you got in the bag?

For Pete's sake,
I'm gonna miss it.
It's leaving.

He's afraid of
missing that?

Wait for me! Wait!
Come on! Wait for me!

I made it.

Yeah. Nice going, sailor.

Now, bear a hand
on the bowline.

We're just coming
into the dock.

(ENGINE IDLING)

Say, you have got
a few, haven't you?

He's a nut.
But he's eager.
Here goes nothing.

You'll be back
before you know it.

Just be sure I am.

The order's on my desk.

See they get processed,
will you, beautiful?

Just pop them
into that little
IBM machine.

I'll square things
with you when I see you
again next Friday night.

Are we getting
an IBM machine,
Commander?

My, that'd be...

Yes, we might.
Good luck, old boy.

Good landing.
You can take her
on out now.

Aye, aye, sir.
Stand by the line.

Not now, Johnson.

Chief, I want all
this gear stowed
before we hit open sea.

Aye, aye, sir.

(SHIP HORN BLARING)

Come left, mister.

I said, come left.
You're cutting
across the bow.

It's no use.
She won't answer
the helm.

Did you drop
the centerboard?
Get up there and do it!

Go down and give me
full speed astern.

Sparks, back full quick!

SPARKS: Back full, sir.

(SHIP HORN BLARING)

(SHIP HORN BLARING)

Not another one!

Come on with
that centerboard!

Come on, you monster.

Centerboard down
and locked, sir.

Full speed
astern, sir.

Full speed ahead!

CHIEF: Full speed ahead!

Right, sir.
Full ahead, sir!

(GEARS JARRING)

Mister, will you get
a helmsman on that wheel

and set sail,
while I go below
and change my clothes?

Yes?

Shall I notify
the admiral's office of
the time of departure, sir?

Yes, please, Maggie.

While you're at it,
you might notify
air-sea rescue

to be on the lookout
for a ship in distress.

(SHIP HORN BLARING)

Now what?

I think that
Australian ship's
saluting us.

They always cheered
the Christians before they
threw them to the lions.

You getting the sail up?
Yes.

I'll be right up.

He's off to port.

He's off to port.
He's off to port.

Sparks, kill
that eggbeater.

Yes, sir!

What are you doing here?
Thought you left
an hour ago.

The weather report said
winds up to hurricane force
in the Coral Sea.

I thought you might
have a message.

From that little
boat, I mean.

Ship.

They're under orders
not to break radio
silence, remember?

You're really
worried.

Did you fall for
that wild man?

Oh, no.

Mind you,
he was kind of cute.

Don't worry
about him.

The rougher it is,
the better
he likes it.

He's having
a ball out there.

Besides, the last
aerial sighting
put them way up here.

They're probably
beyond the storm
and just loafing along.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

If I ever get my hands
on that Vandewater...

Yes, sir?

Get this from the files
immediately, please.

Now, then,

what's the report on
that schooner we sent
to Moresby last week?

The...
Echo, sir.

She rode out a storm
Tuesday night and was sighted
from the air yesterday.

From the position report,
they'll raise
the New Guinea coast...

Don't guess, Commander.
I want to know.

That ship is a vital part
of joint operations.

The Echo, sir?
The Echo.

What do you know
about an officer
named Foster?

Lieutenant
Dennis M. Foster.

Why, nothing, sir.
Should I, sir?

He's been assigned
to take the Echo
to Cape Gloucester.

Cape Gloucester
on New Britain, sir?

Why, that's
enemy territory.

Very good, Vandewater.

It also happens to be
an excellent place to watch
Japanese ship movements.

For the past six
or seven months,

the Australians have
had a coast watcher
there doing that.

Then, two weeks ago,
in the middle
of a transmission,

he went off the air.

Killed?
Taken prisoner, sir?

I don't know.

But that's why the Echo
was sent to Moresby

on a faint chance

that it could take in
a replacement if
everything else failed.

A sub couldn't drop
the man off at night?

What was the Spearfish
doing in the Solomon sea
last week?

Uncharted reefs will
make it impossible to get
anywhere near the coast.

And an airdrop is
out of the question.

No, it's got to be
a shallow draft vessel
like the Echo.

The Australian replacement
is in Moresby waiting
for the ship to arrive.

As soon as it does,
this man Foster
is supposed to take command

and try and make the run up
to Cape Gloucester.

I'd feel better
if I knew more about him.
It's a ticklish job.

I'll get Lieutenant
Foster's file
out immediately.

I've got it right here.

Oh.

He seems to be qualified,
and Captain McClung
picked him.

He commands port detachment
of Moresby and ought to know
what he's doing.

He wants to hold
Lieutenant Crandall
for a few days

until Foster's familiar enough
with the ship to take over.

Tell him he can have
Lieutenant Crandall
for as long as he likes.

Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Foster
will not relieve
Lieutenant Crandall

until, in the opinion
of the port captain,

Lieutenant Foster
is fully qualified
to command the Echo.

That means I can
hold Crandall here
as long as I like.

That make you any
happier about Foster?

I've got nothing
against the bloke.

He's just not the type
that I'd pick for a mate.

He's a good officer.

The best. A real
sterling character.

But if you can have
this Crandall bloke,

why can't he stay
in command?

Because his job is
to acquaint Foster
with the Echo, that's why.

Oh.

Of course, we could
try sending you in again
in another sub.

Now, wait a minute.

I'm crazy about Foster.

Where is that
flaming ship, anyway?

Simmer down, Pat.

She'll be along.

On deck!

CRANDALL: What's that?

I can make out a pier
in the harbor, sir.

Nan. Easy.
Roger. King.

That's her, Mr. Foster,
the Echo.

FOSTER: I was afraid
of that. A tub.

All right.

Contact and please
pass the word to stand by
for special instructions.

Aye, aye, sir.

There's a building
at the shore end.

That must be
the port detachment.

Fine. Sparks,
ready on the engine.
Some navigation, mister.

Have the boatswain
stand by to down sail.

Sir!
What's the trouble?

I wish I knew.
I can't
get it started.

I checked
the ignition system,
the valves, the pumps.

I'm going through
the fuel lines.

Can we take her in
under canvas?

No room
to maneuver in there.

We'd be going in
in style.

In style?
As long as we don't
end up on the beach.

How long is it gonna
take you to fix it?

If I can find the
trouble, not long.
But if I can't?

We have orders to get in
as fast as we can.
Get with it.

Wipe that grin off
your face. This isn't
as easy as it looks.

Keep the deck.
Hold that beacon
in your port bow

till I give the order
to come about.
Hold this.

No reason to get excited.
It's a tricky maneuver.

If you handle your duties
as well as you've been doing,
we'll be all right.

There's one very
important thing.

We'll be on the wind
when we fetch that dock.

I must come up fast,
lose weight,

try to coast alongside,
understand?

When we start to luff...

That's when
the sails flap?

Right. I want
every inch of canvas down
as fast as possible.

Mister, stand by
to come about.

Man the sheets.
Keep a close haul.

Tell the man up
the crosstrees
to watch the gaff jaws.

I don't want them
sticking again.

Aye, aye, sir.
Guys, keep your eye
on the...

(GUNS FIRING)

Somebody's firing at us.

Over us, so far.

(GUNS FIRING)

What did we do?
Lose the war already?

Sparks!

Who's responsible
for firing on that ship?

I was trying
to warn them, sir.

They've not answered our
transmission and don't know
of harbor defenses.

She's already
in the harbor!

Did it ever occur
to you she might be
on a radio silence?

They're coming any minute.
Get down and warn him off.

Yes, sir.

Where are you?

I'm sorry,
I can't get the
engine started.

Get the transmitter.
I want to know
who fired on us and why.

I can't do that either.
It doesn't put out
without the engine.

CHIEF: Sir!
What?

There's a flashing light
on the dock.

Take out the hand blinker.
Stand by to come about.

Aye, aye, sir.

All hands stand by
to heave to.

What's the matter
with them?

They're going
right into it.

Got them now, sir.

Tell them.

(STUTTERS)

What do you got?

"You are

"approaching..."

Cancel it,
they're already
in it.

Tell them quick.

Canceled.
Restart, sir.

All they're telling us
is we're approaching
a navy dock.

"You are

"in

"a

"fine

"area."
Isn't that nice?

Must be the chamber
of commerce.
What are they saying?

Excuse me, sir.
That "F" was an "M."

That's different.

"You are in
a mine area."

Mine area?
Get directions, quick!

Lookout, keep
your eyes peeled
for subsurface objects.

There's something
there now, sir!

Dead ahead!

There they are!
Two of them!
Dead ahead, sir!

Orderly!

LOOKOUT:
Another one, sir.
Off the port bow.

Man the back stage.
Go forward,
get that centerboard up.

She won't answer
the helm.

It won't make any difference
if we hit a mine. Go on.

They request
we move inshore, sir.

Get back to that
engine, quick.

HANSON:
Centerboard up
and secured, sir.

Another one
off the port bow, sir!

Another one at starboard.

They're out of it.
Tell them
they're in the clear.

HANSON: We're all clear, sir.

Roger.

CHIEF: On deck!

Low waters ahead, sir.

Lower away
all sails, Tommy.

Drop that centerboard.
Sparks, put it forward.

Lower away all sails!
Let's get this down.

The gaff jaws
are stuck again.

Kick that
gaff jaw free.

OFFICER:
Centerboard down, sir.

Right!

You monster,
come about.

Sir, we're closing
on the dock.

What?
Back full, Sparks!

(HISSING)

Sir, we're gonna
ram the dock.

No. Go forward and
get ready to let go of
the anchor starboard.

Aye, aye, sir.

CHIEF: Johnson,
bear a hand
on the anchor.

Cameo, grab that line.
Stop it up short.
Tend that line.

Sparks, I said
back full!

Excuse me, sir,
she quit on me
again.

Go forward
and rig the fenders
on the port side.

Shark Bait,
let go of the anchor
and hold it underfoot.

Man overboard!

(CRASHING)

Look out below!

Nice work, mister.

What did
you say, sir?

I said, very nice.

Is that all for this
performance, or have
you got an encore?

HANSON: I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
This is a centerboard ship...

A ship?

Why, I was
under the impression
that it was a USO Tour.

This is an official
Navy ship, sir.

The crew is doing
the best they could
under the circumstances.

This crew is doing
the best they can?

I suggest
you take this crew out
for about six months.

Who the hell do you think
you're talking to?

This is my ship.

Anything this crew does
is under my orders.

If you have any
further remarks about
this ship or my crew,

you come aboard
and make them to me.

Throw the sails.

Astern to.

Thank you for
your invitation, Captain.

Since I'm relieving you,
that won't be necessary.

Whatever I have
to say to this crew,
I'll say to them directly.

You're taking over?

As soon as
you report your arrival
to the port captain.

I would be obliged
if you do that
as quickly as possible.

(DEJECTEDLY)
Furl the sails.

Mmm-hmm.

Excellent, Lieutenant.

At ease, please.

Yes, sir.

You've done a remarkable job
bringing that ship up here.

Thank you, sir.
I had a remarkable crew.

Yes, I saw them
in action
as you came in.

I'm sorry you won't
be commanding them
on the mission.

Mission?

You don't think
we brought that ship up
here just for the ride?

Oh, I'm sorry, Lieutenant.
The mission is top secret.

You weren't informed,
were you?

No, sir.

Come here.

Temporarily, the ship
is being placed at the
disposal of the Air Force.

It's imperative
that they get one
of their men ashore

here on
Cape Gloucester.

In New Britain?
With the Echo?

Yeah.

They seem to think
if she's disguised
as a Navy training craft,

that she has a chance.

That's what
they're doing
to your ship now.

Camouflaging it.

And the Air Force
will provide what
fighter cover they can.

Fortunately, that won't
concern you, will it?

No, sir.

You've met
your replacement,
Lieutenant Foster?

(CLEARING THROAT)
Yes, sir.

Uh-huh. Fine.

I have Admiral Hathaway's
permission to hold you here

until you can
familiarize Foster
with Echo.

I know you're anxious
to get back to town...

That's all right.

It would take some time
for the men to get used
to a new skipper.

It won't take more
than 48 hours.

I don't suppose
you would be...

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
DAVIS: Sir?

Yes, Davis,
what is it?

Air Force reports
enemy bombers
over the Solomon Sea.

Uh-huh.

They expect a raid
in 20 to 25 minutes.

Mr. Patterson and
the native corporal
are in the briefing room.

Shall I ask them
to wait for
the all clear?

The lieutenant and I
will be over directly.

Yes, sir.

Warn Echo. Tell those
air force people
to clear the dock.

DAVIS: Yes, sir.

They're going up
to make the intercept.

Our CIC Room
is over here.

RADIO OPERATOR:
Bogie 1 appears
to be splitting.

MAN: Designated raids.
One Abel and one Baker.

RADIO OPERATOR:
One Baker.

0-5-5. 43.

We know there's a convoy
building up here over BAM.

I'm fairly certain
it'll take off
in the next 10 days,

run along
the north coast
of New Britain

and land troops
either here at Madang

or down here at Lae.

Lae, they'll land
at Lae.

They'd be a month
coming over land
from Madang.

We also know
that they'll be making
a grave tactical error,

Mr. Patterson,
that's right.

No Navy man would risk
putting ships through
narrow straits like that.

They'd be a sitting duck
during an aerial attack.

Isn't that
right, sir?

Oh, absolutely,
Lieutenant.

What Patterson
is thinking of,
though,

is this weather front
that's moving in
from the central Pacific.

By the end of the week,
this whole area will be
socked in so tight

there won't be any chance
for aerial observation.

That's why it's so vital

to get Pat in there
to take the place
of that coast watcher

who disappeared.
Tom Evans.
Wasn't that his name?

Yeah.

Then we can hope, with
Pat's help, to get a visual
sighting from the land.

Mmm-hmm.

Would it be difficult
to drop Mr. Patterson and
the corporal by parachute?

If you ask me,
it'd be flaming
impossible.

I'd as soon go in
with a brass band and
a neon light on my hat.

Besides, I don't
like aeroplanes.

(MUFFLED EXPLOSIONS)

Or air raids, either.
Goodbye, all.

Stick around
a few minutes.

They'll be concentrating
on the airstrips.

Yeah, and they
might miss, too.

Don't you get
any wrong ideas about
Patterson, Lieutenant.

If it weren't for him and
the Australian coast watchers
who hid in the jungle

when the Japanese
occupied these islands,
we'd be in a bad way.

Both here and
in the Solomons.

Patterson and that
native corporal of his

have spent
the last six months
right here in the hills

constantly in danger
from Japanese patrols

and just as constantly
sending us our
vital information.

So don't...

(PLANES ROARING PAST)

Now, they're entitled
to sit this one out, son.

RADIO OPERATOR:
One baker. 0-5-0.

One baker should
be overhead
in two minutes.

OFFICER: Very well.

You have air cover
as far as
the Trobriands here.

Across the Solomon Sea,
you'll just have to pray

that the enemy thinks
you're a native
trading vessel.

(EXPLOSION)

That'll be two,
maybe three days.
Right, Crandall?

Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
This is the first time
my crew's been under fire.

I'm afraid
it won't be the last.

No, sir. (CLEARING THROAT)
Let me see,
three days, you say?

If you took off from here
at dusk, and you were sharp
on celestial navigation,

it could be
two nights and a day.

Foster is a qualified
navigator.

Thank you, sir.

You have a few days
to acquaint him with
the ship's peculiarities.

That won't be
necessary.
Thank you.

Mmm-hmm.

If this weather front does
move down, you'll have to
do some dead reckoning.

Why don't you let me
worry about that?

(EXPLOSION)

Pardon me,
but they're swinging in
over the harbor.

Everybody but
the duty section should
be in the slit trenches.

What?
Your own orders, sir.

Oh.

(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)

Welcome to the club.

Where's he going?

To be with his ship,
I imagine.

Quite a bloke,
that Crandall.

Duck!

(YELLING)

(ALL YELLING)

The port captain's
here, skipper.

Kind of soggy out,
isn't it, Crandall?

Yes, sir.

We could run up
the coast
for a few miles.

I can show the lieutenant
how the ship handles.

That won't be
possible now.

The size of that air
raid shows the Japanese
are building up to something.

Air force wants
Echo underway
as soon as possible.

I see, sir.

Get underway
as soon as you've
accomplished the transfer.

Aye, sir.

Bring your papers
to my office.

We'll see about
arranging air transport
for you to Australia.

Yes, sir.

After you, Captain.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

McCLUNG: Yes,
come in, Crandall.

What're you doing here?
Why aren't you underway?

I request you to order
Lieutenant Crandall

to turn over
the Echo to me
without further delay.

He's got me signing
for equipment I can't
even find. He's...

Sir, he's getting
underway.

He is?

Oh, no. He wouldn't
do a thing like that.

Sir, he must be.

No, really?

(ECHO CHUGGING)

He's taking it out
himself, sir. See?

Yes, he is, isn't he?

My ship in that
minefield again.

He knows where
those mines are now.

Aren't you going to
order him back, sir?

The Air Force would
demand an explanation

for the delay, and...

Sir, this is
a court-martial offense.

What, Lieutenant?

I said this is
a court-martial
offense, sir.

Yes, I guess
you're right.

Still, he was assigned to me
for an indefinite period.

For as long
as I needed him.

I'll tell you what
I'll do, Lieutenant.

If he ever comes back
from that mission

I'll consider
a court-martial.

Yes, sir.

This channel of yours
is less than 100 feet wide.

Is that the only break
in the reef?

The only one I know of,
and I've covered
over 100 miles of it.

LOOKOUT: On deck!

What is it?

Another enemy aircraft
on the starboard quarter

closing in on us, sir.

HANSON:
You'd better get below, sir.

Same orders stands!
Don't fire
unless they fire first!

Hold fire.

Drop dead,
you creeps.

Blow a couple
of gaskets!

Yeah.

Looks okay, sir.
They're waving back.

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

Dogs.

I hope that's the last
of them. This thing's
starting to itch.

It is. With that
weather front coming,
be lucky to make home.

Flaming shame
if we didn't.

Run forward and
tell cook to barbecue
poultry for dinner.

We need a decent meal
for tonight's work.

We'll hit that front
in one hour.

By midnight, it'll be
darker than 3-4 feet
down a cow's throat.

How will
we see the reef?

Nothing to it.

You can hear
the surf pounding
on the reef for miles.

Fine. How do we know
how much water's
under us?

That depends on the size
of the waves, don't it?

Don't worry,
I can take you through there
with my head in a bag.

Yeah, you may have to.

Yeah?

Thanks for trying
anyhow, Major.

Yeah, I'll be seeing
you sometime soon.

No, sir.

He checked every squadron
that had a plane
in the area today.

That's absolutely
the last time
she was seen by anybody.

But that was at
dawn this morning.

By late afternoon,
they should've been
somewhere up here.

What about that
observation flight
sent from there?

Canceled due
to the weather.

You can bet the Japs
didn't cancel that convoy.

If we'd just gotten
that ship underway
one day sooner.

CRANDALL: Lower
away all sails.

Stand by the engine.
I want full power
going over that reef.

CRANDALL:
Tommy, take the deck.

Where did you say
this inlet was?

PATTERSON:
Straight ahead.
Through those trees.

CRANDALL: Right.

At least the Air Force
has been up here.

They sure worked
that one over.

I guess so, sir.

(BIRD SQUAWKING)

Lead him.

I can knock that teacup
right out of his dukes.

Don't.

He may have friends,
like about
200,000 of them.

Just keep your eye
on them.
Don't get itchy.

You were going to glide
through the jungle
like a ghost.

This looks
like Hannibal
crossing the Alps.

Take off.

I'm gonna be here
a long time. I like my
comfort now and then.

You've enough for a hotel.
How far do the men
have to lug this stuff?

The other side of that
little hill up there.

I'll hide this stuff there
till I'm ready to move on.

It'll take them hours
to get up there.

What am I to do?
Wait here like
a sitting duck?

Who's gonna know?
You're tucked in here
real nice and cozy.

The Japanese Navy
never spotted you,
did they?

Where are you going?

You have to stay
on the ship, sir.

There has to be
an officer
with the patrol.

Why don't you
let the kid go?

Give him a chance
to stretch his legs and
look at the countryside.

Hanson, come...

Thanks for
the boat ride.

I'll radio your regards
to Captain McClung.

Thanks.

I'll bring them back
safe and sound.

You better, or don't
come back yourself.

On the bow.

How do my men find
their way back here?

No problem.

Those masts of yours
stick up like
a lighthouse in the fog.

(SHOUTING)

Good on you, mate.

You.

Get out of here
with those whites.

They'll spot you
for two miles.

(SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE)

Come on.

Must have jumped him
without his knowing.

I'll have
the boys dig a...

Leave him.

Leave everything
just where it is.

I can't have them
know I'm here.

He had no family
that I know of, Chief.

Quicker I'm out of this,
the better I'll like it.

Let's go.

(WHISPERING)

(RADIO BEEPING)

A little different
up here.

It's beautiful.

It's hard to believe.

Your first stiff, kid?

Yeah.

There'll be
a lot more of them.

No cup of tea,
this war.

Chief,

Goroka will show you
where to dig my stuff in.

You'll have no trouble
finding your way back.

You've left a trail
as wide as
George Street, Sydney.

Will it
give you away?

No, it grows over
in a day.

By tonight, we'll be
a long way from here.

You're gonna stay
down there
in the jungle?

Till the Japs get me.

Or our blokes come down
and run them out of here.

Don't worry about it.

Just reckon I'm crazy enough
to get a kick out of it.

That don't mean I wanna
stay here forever.

You do your best
to keep
the Navy moving.

Goroka,
we go along now.

Stay awake.
I'm awake.

SHARK BAIT: Give me
some air, will you?

(POULTRY CLUCKING)

Coffee, skipper?

Shark Bait,

secure that boom crutch.
I want to move fast
when they get back.

SHARK BAIT: Yes, sir.

(MOSQUITO BUZZING)

The crew
will finish up.

There's nothing left
but pulling
some brush over.

We'll be ready
by the time
you cool off.

You went to the
wrong school, sir.

Officers ain't
supposed to
work so hard.

I needed it.

Chief, come here.

That's it,
the Japanese convoy.

Lucky we got the old man
up here when we did.

He's still down
in the jungle.
He can't possibly see it.

We've got to get
back to the ship.

All right, guys.
Let's haul it.

Come on, let's go.

Get going.

Sir, so the war lasts
five minutes longer.

It'll be dark
in an hour.

Can I help you?
I'm all right.

Sir, I saw the mast.
They're right below us.

Go ahead.

Last time I ran like this,
four MPs were on my tail.

Rip! Listen up!

Rip! Rip!

CHIEF: Wait a minute.

HANSON: Rip?

Yeah, come in, kid.

We saw the convoy.
It was...

Let him talk.
Makes no
difference now.

(ORDERING IN JAPANESE)

Tommy, I'd like you
to meet Captain Shigetsu.
UCLA, '38.

Bachelor of Science
in Horticulture.
So, you saw our convoy?

Move over there
where I can watch you.

Not now, kid.
No, later.

As you were saying,
you saw our convoy.

Where were you,
and what were you doing
when you saw it?

My name is Thomas Hanson,
Ensign, United States
Naval Reserve.

No use.
The good captain
was just reminding me

that Japan is not a signatory
of the Geneva Convention.

It really makes no difference.
We can classify you as a spy.

This is an
aerial photograph

taken of this ship
in the Solomon Sea
yesterday.

You certainly weren't
in uniform then.

Shall we get back
to details
of the mission?

Let's get back to
the Rose Bowl game.

Okay, but Major Samada's
gonna ask you
the same questions.

Very educated man,
the major.

Really?
I'm Stanford myself.

In that case, it'll be
my pleasure to assist
the major in his questioning.

(CHUCKLING)

He's a big one.
I thought they were
all little jokers.

Shut up.
What happened to
you clowns? Asleep?

They were on us
like tents.
We didn't have a chance.

(RADIO BEEPING)

It's for me.
I'll get it.

(SHOUTING)

(SHOUTING IN JAPANESE)

Real brass.

Lay you eight-to-five
he braces the sergeant.

(SPEAKING JAPANESE)

You'll rise when
the major enters.

Sure, we will.

You better.
Okay.

Do me a favor.
It's there, right there.
That's it.

I don't think they'd look
good here with the
major coming down.

Thank you.

Close the door.

Ow! I won't tell you
anything more!

(LAUGHING)

Good boy.
Get the guns.

Get below. Prime that engine.
Give me back full when I yell.

You want these?
There are too many.

What're you gonna do?

Like I know!
Get on the engine.

(CLANKING)

Chief, look aft.

Sarge.

Didn't I meet you
in Singapore once?

(JAPANESE OFFICER SHOUTING)

I remember,
you used to hang out at
that high kickers club

in Saigon, huh?

CRANDALL: Duck!

Go, Tommy! Give it full,
and get up here
on this machine gun!

(GRUNTS)

(GUNS FIRING)

(SHOUTING)

Sparks, on the engine.

Chief, drop the centerboard.

Give me full ahead.

Duck!

See if you can get
that machine gun nest.

Hang on to that gun, kid.
Here we go.

You could've bet me
we wouldn't make it.

Sorry, sir.
The engine flooded out
going over the reef.

Who needs it?
Stand by to make sail.

OFFICER: Aye, aye, sir!

Get this overboard
so we can
raise the mainsail.

Port Moresby
trying to
reach us, sir.

Good. Get on that thing
and tell him what you saw.

I can't transfer
without
the engine, sir.

Fix it.

HANSON: Look out, Rip!

(GUNSHOT)

Don't shoot.

Keep going.

Rip, you all right?

Are you kidding?
I can't...

Move. Just make
one little move.

Johnson, get the aid kit.

Let him
handle it, sir.

I can transmit now, sir.

We'll contact them.

If you do,
you kill
your captain...

Shut up, you crumb.

What do you mean?

You're still within range
of the shore battery.

The second you start
transmitting, they'll blow
you out of the water.

Surrender. Your captain
will be hospitalized.

We have excellent
Japanese doctors.

Sir.

Send it.
SHIGETSU: It's insane.

(EXHALING)

You'll all be killed.
Can you stand by
and let them destroy you?

Let me plug him, sir.

Shut up.

Enemy convoy seen
north of Cape Gloucester.

What's the matter with you,
you got four thumbs?

I told you so.

HANSON: At 1600,
heading west.

Break out the life
raft, Chief.

Yes, sir.

Message received, sir.

HANSON:
Get that life raft
over the side!

How's he doing?

I'm okay.
Let's get out of here.

We're hit in
the forward hull.

We're taking water fast.

You abandon ship.

Abandon ship!

Come on.

Aren't you gonna stay
and die for the rising sun?

You out of your mind?

JOHNSON: He's got
a pretty high fever, sir.

SHIGETSU:
Can still fire flares.
Japanese nurses very good.

One more crack out of you
and you're in the water.

Sir, I hear a plane.

(AIRPLANE APPROACHING)

There it is!

It's a PBY.

Looks like UCLA
blew another one.

NARRATOR:
On this same morning
of March 3rd,

projecting the course
of the enemy convoy

from the slim
information received,

the Allied forces
in New Guinea

put every available aircraft
in the air,

met the Japanese ships
and their air cover
in the straits

between New Guinea
and New Britain,

and in a two-day
running battle, wreaked
total destruction on it.

(GUNFIRE)

(EXPLOSIONS)

Of this little-known,
yet highly decisive battle,

General Douglas
MacArthur said,

"The battle of
the Bismarck Sea won a victory
of such completeness

"as to assume the proportions
of a major disaster
to the enemy."

And so it is recorded
in the history
of World War II.

Of considerably
less importance,

yet of vital interest
to us,

is the fact that
six months later,

in what was now
just a quiet backwater
in the rear area,

a newly promoted
Lieutenant J.G. pulled
alongside his first command

and prepared
to take over.

(BLOWING WHISTLE)

Belay that racket.
You want the whole area
to hear us?

As a matter of fact,
sir, yes.

Stations for
getting underway.

Weigh her to side!

What did you say
about going ashore
and speaking to the admiral?

You weren't interested
in anymore
special missions.

I can let the man talk,
can't I?