Original subtitles

[Man's Voice, Reading]

[Train Whistle Blows]

It's all very well for him. He don't have to go out there, does he, eh?

Give us a roll.

[Train Whistle Blows]

[Blows Whistle]

[Footsteps Running]

[Sighing] That was a close shave.

Yes, it was.

[Whistle Blows]

- Do you mind if I smoke? - Of course not.

Lovely weather we're having.

Yes. It's quite seasonal.

You haven't a newspaper or a magazine I could borrow, have you?

I didn't have time to get one at the station.

No, I'm afraid I haven't.

- Would you mind if we talked? - Oh?

I mean, it's a bit awkward just sitting here.

They tell me this is about the only country in the world...

where you can sit in a carriage with somebody for hours without saying a word.

Sometimes I think it's a bit stupid, don't you?

Perhaps it is sometimes.

- Are you going to London? - Yes.

So am I.

- Five days leave. - You must be back from the sea then.

Much more exhausting. A long gunnery course.

Ballistics, mechanics, mathematics, explosives...

and parades- endless parades.

- They put you through it. - That will be Whale Island.

- How did you know? - My home's in Portsmouth.

My father has friends at the naval barracks.

Oh, I see.

Gunnery m-must be very important, especially in wartime.

Yes. Yes, I'm told it has its uses.

- [Whistle Blows] - We're coming into Hazelwood.

Only two more stations to LongmereJunction. That's where we change.

Gracious. It seems as though we just left Portsmouth.

One could take that as quite a compliment.

Yes. I suppose one could.

[Rorter] Longmerel LongmereJunctionl

All change for London.

Longmere. LongmereJunction. All change for London.

- Rorter. Have we time to get a cup of tea, porter? - Time for a cup of tea, sir?

I reckon you have. London connection don't get here till 10:20 now, sir.

- What? - But that's nearly three hours.

Aye. It's the war, ma'am. Everything's changed.

Nothing but troop trains and goods these days.

Thank you. What do we do now?

Just wait here, I suppose.

For three hours?

Look, I'll tell you what. Let's leave our luggage...

take a stroll through the village and find somewhere to have dinner.

- Oh, no. L-I don't think- - Too presumptuous?

No, it's not that. You've been very kind. It's just that-

Young ladies don't accept invitations from strangers.

Especially strange sailors.

I'm hardly that. I've told you my whole life story.

Well, we can't just stand here, can we?

Of course not.

I'm going to propose a toast.

To Miss Lucinda Bentley.

Lieutenant Richard Saville.

[Chuckles]

I was just thinking... what my family would say if they could see me now.

- Do I appear so disreputable? - No, it isn't that.

- But they're very strict where I'm concerned. - Tell me about them, Lucy.

Well, there's my father. He's a merchant.

And two brothers. They're in the business with him.

My mother died when I was at school.

And I've had to take care of the house for them.

[Sighs] That's all, I think.

May I ask you... an impertinent question?

- No, certainly not. - Oh.

What is it?

Uh, are you- I mean, is there- Is there anyone who you-

If you're trying to ask me if I'm engaged, the answer is no.

- And you? - Me?

Engaged? [Chuckles] Good heavens, no.

They don't encourage serious attachments on a junior officer's pay, you know.

It's supposed to take your mind off your work.

But that's just like my father.

If I was to get married, they'd have no one to take care of the house for them.

They keep me well out of temptation.

They allow you to go off to London by yourself.

It's the first holiday I've had in years.

I'm allowed one week with my cousin Carrie.

That's taking no risk at all.

- No? - [Clock Chiming]

Well, almost no risk.

Oughtn't we to be going? It must be getting very late.

We've loads of time. Let's take a stroll.

It's been such a pleasant evening. L- I don't want it to end.

One could take that as quite a compliment.

Yes. Yes, I suppose one could.

- Could I have a bill, please? - Coming, sir.

- Lucy? - Yes, Dick.

Do you know you're rather beautiful?

It's only the night and the wine.

No, l- I thought so the moment I laid eyes on you.

And you're different.

That's because I come from a different world.

Yes, but I can talk to you.

As a matter of fact, I'm... not very good at talking to women usually.

It's- It's been a wonderful evening, Dick.

I shall never forget it.

Nor I.

Lucy, there may not be another chance for me to tell you...

how much meeting you has meant to me.

I really don't know how to say it.

- Lucy. - Dick.

[Bell Rings]

Dick. The train.

It's late. We'll miss it.

Good heavens! It's quarter past 10:00. Quick!

- Porter! - Porter, which platform for the London train?

London train? Bless me. London train left five minutes ago.

- We've missed it! - We can't keep 'em hanging around these days. Not like we used to.

- What time's the next one? - There ain't another one till this time tomorrow.

- This time tomorrow? - That's right. Only one passenger train per day now.

And I don't reckon we'll have that much longer. It's this Kaiser Bill, drat him.

Nothing but troop trains and goods these days.

What am I to say to Carrie? How shall I explain? What am I to do?

Now, don't worry. You'll simply send a wire...

saying you missed the train and you'll be there tomorrow night.

Yes, but what are we to do?

I reckon you'll have to take your wife to the Angel, sir.

I daresay Mrs. Godliman can put you up for the night.

Well, there's your luggage, sir. You'll have to excuse me. I'm closing up now.

Since the war started, I've had to sweep up, clean up and wipe up.

[Scoffs] They'll even have me polishing up the rails next.

- Good night, ma'am. Good night, sir. - Good night.

[Train Whistle Blows]

Oh, how stupid of us to let this happen.

Lucy, l- I should say I'm sorry.

- No, it was my fault as much as yours. - No, it's not.

- Now that it has happened, I'm glad. - No, Dick, please.

I'm being selfish, aren't I? Well, it's true.

In London tonight, we should have parted. L- I might never have seen you again.

Well?

It's pretty hard to find something and then lose it the very next moment.

Oh, Lucy, it's hopeless.

There's so much I want to say to you.

If only I could find the words.

Dick, dear, what do you want to say?

[Thunder Rumbling]

[Woman] Now then, four and one's five and two's seven.

Seven pounds, 17 and eight.

That's-Yes, that's right.

Well, I must say, we're sorry to see you go.

We hoped you'd be able to stay a little longer.

Still, you've had five days, haven't you? And that's something.

In wartime, everyone's here today, gone tomorrow. That's what I always say.

Still, it's very hard, especially for you young people. Here you are, sir.

Your change, sir.

- Thank you, Mrs. Godliman. - And your receipt.

Well, you're not leaving any good weather behind you, are you?

Mr. Godliman was only saying yesterday- He said since this war started...

he said everything's changed, even the weather. [Chuckles]

- Excuse me. - Oh, Bert did bring the bags down from your room, sir.

Will you ask the young lady to give us a call when hers are ready?

- Righto. Thanks. - Bert!

[Bell Rings]

- [Knocking] - Come in.

Everything's settled.

[Thunder Rumbling]

Miserable day.

Dick?

I want to talk to you about what we decided last night.

- Yes, Lucy. - I've changed my mind, Dick.

I don't think we ought to get married after all.

What? But- But it's all settled. We agreed that we-

I know. But I've thought about it again.

There are no buts about this, Lucy.

- L- I simply can't go away now. - Look, Dick.

What we've done is wrong- very wrong.

But...

marriage isn't just a means to rectify a wrong.

It's much more than that.

Of course it is. I know that.

When you got into the train at Portsmouth, you'd no intention of getting married.

- Had you? - No, but l-

In fact, you were quite defnite about it.

You said marriage was a handicap to a young officer...

especially one who wasn't wealthy.

You'll be away at sea for years.

You'll come back to a wife you... hardly know.

When you asked me to marry you, had you thought about that?

- That's not the point, Lucy. - Oh, yes, it is, darling.

I want you to face that squarely.

I want to do what I think is right.

Why are you making it so difficult for me?

Because I love you.

And I've grown to know you. You're insisting on this out of a sense of duty.

I think in your heart you're scared and uncertain.

You don't really want to take a chance.

Lucy, I've told you I love you. Isn't that enough?

No, Dick.

Not unless your love is strong enough to make you want to take a chance.

And it isn't, is it?

I must change my dress. The train goes in half an hour.

## [Harmonica: Popular Patriotic]

- [Whistle Blows] - Good-bye, Dick.

[Train Whistle Blows]

- I shall never forget you. - Good-bye, Lucy.

##[Ends]

Wake up, Stratford.

- What's wrong with you? - Maybe they're all out to lunch.

More likely they're sleeping it off.

At last.

- Here we go, Gloomy. - Okay, Canada, let's have it.

From Amesbury...

to Stratford.

Dunferne... Castle.

That's it.

Cambridge is making a signal too, Yeoman.

She's asking the same thing. Give her a roger.

Right. Away you go.

Signals from Amesbury and Cambridge, sir.

- The answer is affirmative to both. - Aye, aye, sir.

She wants to know if we picked up the S.O.S. From the Dunferne Castle.

Pilot. Give me the approximate position of the Dunferne Castle, please.

She was four days out of Panama, heading for Sydney with a cargo of machinery.

She must be almost on the equator, sir. We're here.

I'd put the Dunferne Castle 600 miles northeast of us...

and 900 miles due west of the Gal�pagos Islands.

I see. Our convoy's still 60 miles astern.

- Thank you, pilot. - Sir.

You know what this means, don't you? It's the German raider.

- It's the Essen. - Can we be sure of that, sir?

I don't think there's any doubt of it.

We know a German cruiser left Valpara�so three weeks ago on a northwesterly course.

What's our last news of Essen, pilot?

She was reported heading north at about 14 knots, sir. That was four days ago.

Yes. Fits in very nicely. Let me see that S.O.S.

"Being shelled by enemy cruiser. Sinking."

Yes, it's the Essen all right.

She's the only one with range to operate in this part of the Pacific.

- You sent for me, sir? - Chief, I believe we're in striking distance of Essen.

- We're going after her. - We're down to 55% fuel remaining, sir.

- What can we do on that? - Eight days steaming at our present speed.

- And at full speed? - Less than half that, sir.

Then we are in a fix. If we lost Essen and she got through to that convoy...

she'd have an afternoon's target practice picking them off like wooden ducks on a pond.

- Our name would be mud. - And if we don't go after her, sir?

Yes, you're quite right. They'd have us for that too.

If we go after Essen, we risk the convoy.

If we don't, we miss the chance of destroying the most powerful enemy ship in the Pacific.

Amesbury and Cambridge are all right, sir. They topped up with fuel before joining us.

Yes, but not to be able to go after Essen myself-

Well, there's nothing else for it.

Commander, Captain Ashley will go after Essen with Amesbury and Cambridge.

- We remain behind to cover convoy. - Aye, aye, sir.

- Make a signal, Chief Yeoman, please. - Aye, aye, sir.

[Whistle Riping]

Do you hear there? Do you hear there?

[On R.A.] The captain will now address the ship's company.

This is Captain Ashley speaking. I've news for all hands.

At last, we may be going into action.

The German raider Essen is known to be in this area.

We've received orders to go after her.

The earliest possible time of making contact will be daylight tomorrow.

You will be called to action stations then.

I am confident that we shall acquit ourselves well.

We'll exercise action stations as soon as hands have finished dinner, Commander.

Aye, aye, sir.

Would you believe it?

Everyone peacefully sailing along minding his own business...

and Jerry has to turn up like a bad penny.

- As if the weather in these parts ain't hot enough without him. - Aw, get away, Misery.

With a bit of luck, we'll get a week's leave out of this. What do you say, Brown?

I'd say we need a bit of luck.

The guns on the Essen outrange us by about 5,000 yards.

- No! You're kidding, Brown. - I'm not.

I'm just glad Cambridge is with us to share the fun. That's all.

There you are. You see? It's just like the gypsy said when she read me fortune.

"Stay away from water," she said. "It'll never be no good to you."

- I thought she meant the stuff you drink. - [Chuckles]

- [Radio Code Beeping] - Hello, Curly.

Hello.

- S.D.O., Flag Deck. - No nerves in the nerve center, I hope.

- No nerves. Almost no hands, blast it. - Flag Deck.

- Send the yeoman down. - Aye, aye, sir.

- Got two men in the sick bay. - Oh, that's bad luck.

I've got to have another body for coding. Can you lend me one of yours?

- At this time, Curly? - Of course at this time. We've got to function, haven't we?

If it'll shorten the war, I'll send you one down. It's going to cost you a large gin.

Cheap at the price. You might make it that Canadian lad, Brown, will you?

- Now wait a minute. - Brown's done the job before. He's bright and he's dependable.

Now, I'm sorry, Curly. You can have Bishop, Egham or Poynter...

but Brown stays on the flag deck.

You're a glutton. He's one of my best men. Let's have a look at that log.

What I can't make out, Brown, is why you ever come into Signals.

Because when I was training at Shotley, this is what they told me to do.

How about Gunnery? You wanted to do that, didn't you?

Well, they said they needed signalmen.

You can't always do what you want in the service. You know that.

A strong sense of duty, eh? You want your head examined, chum.

Well, as a matter of fact, some time ago, I did think about putting in for a transfer.

- Oh? Why didn't you? - Oh, I don't know.

It would've meant dipping rate and starting all over again.

I thought it was taking too much of a chance, so I decided to stay put.

Well, all I can say is, it's typical. Here are you up to the eyeballs in book learning...

about ships and guns and everything else your mum learned you...

the proud possessor of more rifle shooting medals than I've had nights ashore.

And what do they give you to do? Gun laying?

Firing off torpedoes? Not on your life. Flashing lamps and taking messages...

and running bits of colored bunting up and down to the yardarm.

And Blind O'Reilly, they expect us to win the war.

- Earnshaw. - Yes, sir?

- How long have you been in the service, Earnshaw? - Twelve years, sir, lastJanuary.

- That's a long time to remain a signalman, isn't it? - Yes, sir.

I'd like to know exactly what connection you think there is...

between shooting a rifle and ship's gunnery?

- I don't know, sir. - No, I didn't think you did.

Let me tell you, Earnshaw. Nothing. Precisely nothing.

But I do expect you to know that in battle, communications are every bit as vital as gunnery.

- And that's our job. - Yes, sir.

- Let's see we do it well. Everyone feeling fit? - [Both] Yes, sir.

Brown, when Poynter comes on, have him report to the S.D.O. For coding duties, will you?

- Aye, aye, sir. - Carry on, please.

Why does it always have to happen to me?

You want to learn to keep that big mouth of yours shut, chum.

Now me bleeding life belt won't blow up.

[Knocks]

Come on in, John. Help yourself to a gin and sit down.

Thank you, sir.

I'm just making out my report to the Admiralty on my orders to Ashley.

- Yes, sir. Can I pour you one? - Thanks.

I suppose if I weren't a temperate sort of fellow, I'd be drowning my sorrows tonight.

Why not? Naval gin's only tuppence a noggin.

The job can be done quickly and cheaply, thank goodness.

I suppose it can. Thanks, John.

John, you and I have been shipmates and friends for a long time.

I don't mind telling you that to engage Essen is something I've dreamed of.

It's a very bitter experience to have to send a junior ship to do the job for you.

Yes, of course it is. It's rotten luck for you, sir.

A sailor's service, you know, John, is his only memorial.

I wanted to lead this squadron into action against Essen...

more than anything I've wanted in my whole life.

For one reason or another, I seem to have missed the big chances.

Or is that making it too personal a matter?

I wouldn't say so, sir. Not if Horatio Nelson's any guide, sir.

- Nelson? - Do you remember what he once wrote, sir?

"I will be a hero," he said...

"and confiding in Providence, I'll brave every danger."

[Saville] Yes. Close the enemy. Lay alongside.

Only I had to send Tom Ashley.

- Your only other action would have risked the convoy, sir. - I know.

But I'm beginning to wonder whether I shouldn't have accepted the risk.

To have caught Essen, destroyed her- wouldn't that have justified it?

It's bound to be a matter of opinion, sir.

My reasons for not going were sound enough. I know that.

But aren't there times when instinct is an even better guide than reason?

Let me ask you a question, John, as a friend.

Sir?

In my position, would you have taken the risk?

- Really, sir, how can I possibly- - Come on, John. Out with it.

Well, yes, sir, I would have.

I see. Well, it's not the first time...

I've failed to follow my instinct and lived to regret it, John.

[Knocking]

Excuse me, sir. Commander, sir. Rounds, sir, please.

Very good.

Amesbury and Cambridge may still destroy the Essen, you know, sir.

Yes, of course. I only wish I was with Tom Ashley at this moment.

- Carry on, please, Commander. - Aye, aye, sir.

Captain, sir. Signal from Cambridge, sir.

"Have sighted Dunferne Castle survivors dead ahead."

Send the following answer.

Pick up survivors and rejoin, utmost dispatch. Stop.

Reducing speed to 15 knots.

Maintaining present course.

- Aye, aye, sir. - Reduce speed to 15 knots, pilot.

- Aye, aye, sir. - Defense stations, please, Commander.

Aye, aye, sir. Sound off defense stations.

[Crewman] Aye, aye, sir. Revolutions, 1-5-0.

- ##[Bugle Call] - [Crewman #2] Revolutions, 1-5-0.

For the benefit of those members of the damage control party...

who have never been in action before...

that signalman over there is bending on what they call a battle ensign.

Now when that goes up, there'll be three ensigns flying...

and that means that someone's for it.

They always put up three, so that if one gets shot away...

the enemy can't say he thought we'd struck.

In the Royal Navy, we never strike an ensign, see?

So you better make up your minds to be ruddy heroes whether you want to be or not.

Here, take your hand out of your pocket, you.

- Any sign of Cambridge astern? - No, sir. Not yet.

- Very well. Reduce speed to 10 knots. - Aye, aye, sir.

I want her to catch up with us before dark.

- Revolutions, 1-0-0. - [Crewman On Speaker] Revolutions, 1-0-0, sir.

[Phone Squeals]

- Very good. - [Replaces Handset]

Ship bearing green-2-0, sir.

Action stations, please.

- ##[Bugle Call] - [Alarm Ringing]

- [Knocking] - [Saville] Yes?

Sighting report, sir. Amesbury has spotted the raider.

- Any details? - No, sir. Just a standard sighting report.

- All right. No acknowledgment. - Aye, aye, sir.

This is Tom Ashley's big chance, sir.

The two of them should certainly be able to handle the Essen, despite her heavier guns.

All things being equal.

Still, at this moment, God bless him.

[Ship's Guns Firing]

Here we go. He ain't wasting much time, is he?

[Brown] She's well beyond the range of our guns.

They've got us straddled already.

That's pretty good shooting.

If we're going to hold her till Cambridge shows up, we'll have to outrun her.

- Port 10. - [Crewman On Speaker] Rort 10, sir.

I've got a strange feeling this is gonna be a bit dodgy, old man.

What are they waiting for up top-

till we get close enough to fire bows and arrows at 'em?

[Ship's Guns Firing]

- Come on, the fire party. Look lively. Come along. - [Shells Exploding]

Still no sign of Cambridge, sir.

- Get those fires out below. On the double! - [Shell Incoming]

Come on. Get in there with those.

Come on. Look lively and get those hoses run out.

Anybody'd think you was a bunch of cripples. Hey, you. Thompson.

- Phone the bridge at once. Fire by after magazine. - Aye, aye, sir.

We can't outrun her. She's much too fast.

Tell G.C.O. To open fire as soon as she's in range.

[Motor Whirring]

- They've hit the turret! - [Shells Exploding]

- Range 2-1-5, sir. - Very good.

[Alarm Rings]

- Attababy! - It's about time.

Jerry must've begun to think we was all paralyzed.

Hopeless. All short.

- It'll be dark soon, sir. - Yes, but not soon enough.

Well, if we can't escape her, we must do the reverse.

- Starboard 20. - Starboard 20.

- Full ahead both. - Full ahead both engines.

This is the captain speaking. So far, we've had to take all the punishment.

[On R.A.] Now we're going to give 'em a taste of their own medicine.

We're going right in to attack with torpedoes.

Cambridge will be with us soon.

Essen must not- I repeat- must not get away undamaged.

Let every man do his duty. And good luck to you all.

Bring all torpedo tubes to the ready.

[Phone Squeals]

Damage Control to Bridge. Fire by the after magazine out of control, sir.

Fire near after magazine's out of control, sir.

- Flood "X" and "Y" magazines. - Flood "X" and "Y" magazines.

I'd like to go in another thousand yards, but we'd never make it. Stand by torpedoes.

Fire one!

Fire two!

Fire three!

- All torpedoes running, sir. - Then let's get out of it. Hard to port.

You're wasting your time, Brown. There's no bridge left.

Oh, we got her, Gloomy! We got her!

Brown, the Cambridgel Brown!

The Cambridge, Brown- [Screams]

[Shell Explodes]

It is the Amesbury. She's calling us, Yeo.

[Shells Exploding]

Essen...

hit.

Torpedo... port.

[Crewman] She's gone.

- Got any idea what it's about? - Haven't a clue. Something's up.

You sent for me, sir?

Oh, yes.

Gentlemen, we've just had some very bad news.

Amesbury has been sunk.

Captain Ashley and his crew... are lost.

Our report tells us Essen was hit by a torpedo.

I believe she will now do one of two things-

try to find a place to effect repairs...

or put into an American port and be interned for the duration.

Either way, she no longer represents a threat to our convoy.

- Chief. - Sir?

Cambridge is shadowing Essen.

Fuel shortage or no fuel shortage, I want the maximum speed you can let me have.

Aye, aye, sir.

We're going after Essen, gentlemen.

We're going after her. We're going to find her.

And we're going to destroy her.

That's all. Thank you.

Admiral. A toast of the Essen.

- Hesse. The Essen. - [Man] The Essen.

[Knocking]

[Speaking German]

Oh, come in.

Komm.

Have you had something hot to drink?

- Yes, sir. Thank you. - You may sit down.

- [German] - Your name?

[Coughs]

Brown. Andrew Brown.

- What are you? - Canadian.

No, no, no. What do you do? Your work.

Leading signalman.

Your ship?

I said, "Your ship?"

Cigarette, Brown?

Go ahead.

No, thank you.

Your ship was the Amesbury, Brown. We know that.

What was she doing here...

and where was she going?

I don't know.

You worked in communications, Brown.

A cruiser doesn't sail aimlessly across the Pacific, does she?

You're going to be with us a long time.

Why be obstinate and make things hard for yourself?

The Amesbury was not alone, was she?

As far as I know, she was.

Yet shortly after you were picked up, we intercepted a wireless from another warship.

What ship was that, Brown?

I don't know.

You want me to believe that just one light cruiser came to attack us? Nonsense!

- No English captain would do that. - I wouldn't know, sir.

You know a great deal, Brown. If you knew less, you would talk more.

The Amesbury was not alone.

She was part of a larger force sent to destroy us, wasn't she?

I don't follow all that, sir. I've told you all I can.

Very well, Brown.

You aren't very skillful, but I admire your courage.

You may go.

[Both Speaking German]

[German]

Hey. [German]

Ah. Komm hier, du. Komm.

- [Crewmen Chattering In German] - [Crewman] Die Engl�nder.

[German]

Ja. Ja.

[Exhales]

[German]

Engl�nder.

- [German] - Englishman?

Ja. Engl�nder.

[German]

Kaput.

[German]

[Thunder Rumbling]

- Sch�nes Wetter, was? - "Wetter"?

- Sch�nes Wetter. - Oh, yes, the weather.

Yes, very good for you, old man.

You'd be pretty hard to find in this weather, wouldn't you?

[German]

- Mm-mm. - England. Regen.

- [Imitates Rain Falling] - Oh, yes, yes.

Just like England, I guess.

[Ship's Bell Rings]

Komm.

Hi.

Wotcha.

- How are you feeling? - Well...

where my left leg was isn't too comfy.

Apart from that, all I need is the old woman.

Let's have a drop of that water, will ya?

- Sure. - Ta.

Ta, mate.

You're Brown, aren't you?

Yeah. I remember you from Pompey when you were in the rifle shootin'.

You done pretty well, mate.

- Signals? - That's right.

Yeah, I thought so.

I'm Wheatley- stoker petty officer.

- We the only two? - Yeah.

[Scoffs] Why did they trouble, I wonder?

Why didn't they make a nice, clean sweep of the lot of us?

They need information, I guess.

Soon as they fished me out of the water, I was hauled up before the skipper.

He thinks Amesbury is part of a larger force.

And was she?

- They may question you too, you know. - Me?

[Sighs] I don't know nothing.

I work in a boiler house.

But I would like to see these bleeders blown out of the water. I would like to see that.

You better get yourself into shape quickly, Stokes. It may happen sooner than we think.

That'd be rich, that would.

First, Jerry blows you into the soup.

Then Jerry lugs you out of the soup.

Then along come your own blokes and blow you right back into it again.

[Scoffing Chuckle] Better see if they can fit me with a wooden leg pretty quick.

Might help me float better.

Cor! Gotta have something for this leg.

Hey, Fritz.

[Speaking German]

[German]

You speak German? You understand it?

Yeah. I worked for the Norddeutsche Shipping Line a bit before the war.

Yes, I understand their lingo, mate.

And I understand the people.

They're okay, but you never want to let 'em get on top of you. Remember that, son.

They're always liable to let you have it where you don't like it, see?

- That's right, isn't it, Fritz? - [German]

There you are. You see? He couldn't agree with me more.

- Captain, sir. - Thank you.

I was afraid of this. It's from Cambridge.

She's run into dirty weather and lost the Essen.

- That's tricky, sir. - Yes. Let's see what we do now.

- Pilot. - Sir?

Our last report from Essen showed her on a northeasterly course, right?

Yes, sir. Here, sir.

Let's see. If she continued on that course...

she'll be forced to give herself up, and she won't do that.

Trouble is, where would she go?

Where could she find a shelter for repairs?

Has she turned north, do you think, sir, and run for Impala?

No. Too much traffic. She'll keep away from there.

Let's see. The Gal�pagos group.

She could find an anchorage there all right.

Very good, pilot. Give me a course.

If my guess is right, the Essen has a very good head start on us.

But with a bit of luck, we might just catch her.

- Yeoman. Take a signal to Cambridge. - Sir?

Tell her to rendezvous with us south of the Gal�pagos Islands.

Give me a position, please, pilot.

[Motor Whirring, Muffled]

Stokes.

- Stokes? - Hello.

Do you hear those bilge pumps working?

Yeah. She must have a bow full of water.

And a leak in the collision bulkhead.

We're losing way. We're moving more slowly than we were yesterday.

As far as I'm concerned, she can ruddy well sink.

Eh, she won't sink, not unless we hit another storm.

That's just like I was telling you.

The way they design these ships nowadays...

with special watertight compartments and bulkheads-

Yes, I remember. But not now, professor, thanks.

I'm in no mood to concentrate.

- Yeah. I'm sorry. - That's all right, son.

You know what you ought to do, don't you?

You ought to put in for admiral-

all this talk about tactics and bulkheads and ballistics.

Who learned you it all anyway?

I was brought up on the navy, Stokes.

- What, your dad, eh? - No. My mother.

- Your mum? - Yeah.

She's quite a woman.

She knows more about the navy than most of the admirals.

Cor. I never knew Canadian girls were so interested in the navy.

Oh, Mother's English. See, my dad died before I was born...

and she left England and went to Canada- to Montreal.

I guess she wanted to get away and forget.

He was navy, too, but- She never talks about him, not even now.

Guess it must have been pretty tough for her, working in a strange land.

Yeah. She used to feed me the navy with my bottle.

Did she now? You be a good lad and feed me some of that water over there, will ya?

Oh, sure.

[Engines Whir Louder, Die Down]

Hey, that's funny.

The engines have almost stopped.

We must be in smooth water.

[Speaking German]

[Officer, Crewman: German]

[Water Splashes]

[German]

- [Officer, Crewman: German] - [Ship's Telegraph Rings]

[Crewman Calls Out]

[German]

[Officer, Crewman: German]

[Crewman Calls Out]

Well, where are we?

Well, I don't know. I can't recognize anything.

[German]

- [Crewman: German] - [Ship's Telegraph Ringing]

[German]

We seem to be in some sort of a lagoon.

The channel must be pretty narrow.

They've taken a line from the stern.

Then she can't turn around.

The water must be too shallow on either side to let her swing.

Blimey, what a sitter she'd be if our lads came along now, hey?

[Captain On R. A: German]

They believe they're bein' followed.

[Captain Continues In German]

What's he saying now?

They've got to make their repairs and get out.

He says he'll give them just 36 hours.

- [Captain Continues] - If they wait any longer, they'll be trapped.

[Officer: German]

Thirty-six hours, huh?

If only we could do something to hold them up.

I'd give the other leg if we could do that.

- [Whistle Riping] - [Rounding]

[Man On R.A.] Achtung! Schiff!

- [Continues In German] - [Crewman: German]

[Chattering]

[Metal Clatters]

[Crewman: German]

- [Ship's Bell Ringing] - [Guard] Komm.

Komm. [German]

What are they tryin' to do, capsize this tub?

They're listing her over so they can work on the damage.

They're not losing much time. You oughta see 'em up there.

Well, I'd rather them than me.

It's too bleedin' hot.

What a place to be stuck in, hey?

Not a breath of air, and not a pub in sight.

Cor. Couldn't I do to a nice pint of pig's ear now?

Listen, Stokes.

I think we can do something.

Do something? Do something to what?

To delay 'em- to stop 'em from getting her repaired in time.

Half a mo'. And me with one leg?

Of course not. But it was you who gave me the idea in the first place.

You remember when the captain was talking and you said...

"If only there was something we can do to hold her up." Well, I think we can.

- You feelin' all right? - Yes, of course I am.

It isn't the heat? You haven't got a touch of the sun?

No. It's just that ever since you said that...

I've been looking around and figuring things out.

- I've got an idea. - Now, wait a minute.

You want to take this ship on single-handed. Is that it?

- I hadn't thought about it that way. - Well, you'd better.

There's one thing though. Suppose we did manage to delay 'em.

Suppose our ships did catch up.

- How about you? - Well, I shan't be very comfy, shall I?

- I know, but you wouldn't be able to get up- - Listen, son.

If I come out of this, what chance do you think I've got...

of getting back to sea again- on one leg and a stump?

And I've been at sea since I was 14 year old.

They'd only put me up on the beach to rot.

And I wouldn't like that, see?

So if you're not completely off your rocker, buster...

you go ahead.

- Okay, Stokes. - As long as you realize that, whatever you do...

you're gonna be taking a terrible chance.

You do realize that, don't you?

You're gonna be taking a terrible chance.

Yeah.

- [Ship's Bell Ringing] - [Man Coughs]

- I'm off. - All right, son.

I wish I was comin' with you.

- Watch your step now. - You too.

Don't like the idea of leaving you on your own.

Don't go worrying your head about me.

Just remember what they done to the Amesbury.

Good luck to you.

[Coughing]

[Hammering]

[Hammering Continues]

## [Singing In German]

[Hammering Continues]

##[Accordion Rlaying Softly In Distance]

##[Continues]

- [Crewmen Chattering] - [Hammering]

[Crewman: German]

[Hammering Continues In Distance]

[Hammering]

[Drilling]

[Drilling Continues]

[Chattering]

- [Muffled Shout] - [Crewman Exclaims]

[German]

Schnelll

[Drilling Continues]

[Gunshot]

[Gunshot]

[Gunshots Continue]

[Shouting]

[Gunshots Continue]

[German]

[German]

[Klaxon Blaring]

[Antiaircraft Gun Firing]

[Gunfire Stops]

[Gunshot]

[Panting]

[German, Hushed]

[German]

[Captain On R.A.] Brown.

Brown. Now listen to me, Brown.

I am going to give you just one chance.

We know where you are.

If you don't come out and surrender immediately...

I am going to train my heavy guns on you.

Now come out and surrender.

[Gunshot]

- [German] Feuerl - Feuerl

[German]

[Captain: German]

- [Gunshot] - [Shouting]

[Gunshots]

[Gunshots Continue]

[Moaning Quietly]

##[Singing: Novelty]

## [Vocalizing, Stops]

- [Shushing] - Hey, Fritz.

How's the work goin' on up top?

[Speaking German]

Still.

Best part of a day.

[Clicks Tongue] Keep it up, buster.

I'd say there are three islands that are most probable, pilot-

Chatham, Barrington, Resolution.

- Let's check these first. - Aye, aye, sir.

- We're getting very low on fuel, sir. - I know, but we can't drop speed.

Our best course is through this passage, sir.

Very good. Adjust our speed to arrive off Chatham Island at daybreak.

I'll make a signal to Cambridge telling her the plan.

[Captain, Officer: German]

[Objects Clattering]

[German]

[Shudders]

- [Clattering Continues] - [Officer: German]

[Hammering]

[Clattering, Hammering]

[German]

- [Gunshot] - [Blows Whistle]

- [Gunshot] - [Soldier Shouts]

[Soldier: German]

[Gunshots]

[Groans]

[Groans]

[Whimpering]

[Soldier: German]

[Clattering]

- [Whistle Blows] - [Soldier: German]

[Whispering]

[Gasping]

[Soldier: German]

[Horn Blowing]

[Soldier: German]

[Horn Continues]

[Horn Stops]

[Winch Whirring]

[Man On R.A.] Achtung! Schiff!

[Continues In German]

##[Bugle Call]

Fire!

[German]

[Ship's Guns Firing]

We must have knocked out her fire control.

She's not getting anywhere near us.

- Cease firing. - Aye, aye, sir. Cease firing!

[Hull Creaking]

- Prepare to pick up survivors. - Aye, aye, sir.

[Crewman] Come on. Keep movin'.

Come on. Down below, chum.

- Go on. Keep moving. - I am an officer.

- Korvettenkapit�n Hesse. - Very good. Stand over there.

I wish to make a report. There is a British rating on Resolution Island.

- A British rating? - We rescued him from the Amesbury.

- Oh? Then I'd like to know why you put him ashore. - We didn't.

He stole a rifle, escaped and was shooting at us ever since.

- No. - He held us up for more than 18 hours.

There's a survivor from Amesbury on Resolution.

- Ask the captain if we can send a boat away and bring him in. - Aye, aye, sir.

I think you'd better come and tell the captain about this.

Come on. Keep movin'.

[Ship's Horn Blows]

[People Chattering]

[Chattering]

Well, Brown, congratulations. You're looking fit again.

- Thank you, Admiral. Same to you, sir. - No family here, Brown?

- No. There's only my mother, sir, and she lives in Montreal. - Oh, I see.

She sent me a wonderful cable, sir. This is really her day.

- Her day? - Yes, sir.

She trained me from the time I could walk.

With Mother, the navy was the only thing right from the word go.

- I see. - She bore down on me worse than any old-time boatswain.

Apparently she made a good job of it, Brown.

By the way, I'm having you assigned as my signalman.

Thank you, sir. The orders came through this morning.

- You're Brown, aren't you? - Yes, sir.

His Majesty will arrive at any moment.

You'll be called first...

- since you're the only recipient of the Victoria Cross. - Yes, sir.

Admiral Saville, the orders of knighthood will be second.

Thank you.

- You'll be reporting aboard ship in the morning. - Yes, sir.

Good. We shall be on convoy duty in the North Atlantic.

- We may well put in to Montreal. - I was hoping for that, sir.

- It's been four years since I've seen Mother. - Well, it may not be long now.

- I hope I get a chance to meet her. - Yes, sir.

It's too bad she couldn't be here, Brown.

She must be a very remarkable woman.

##[Orchestra: British National Anthem]

##[Ends]