Original subtitles

The dead man's auction.

Held on behalf of our late shipmate, Tommy Pope.

Truly drowned.

Truly ate by sharks, you mean.

Swept into the sea whilst carrying out the lawful commands of the deck officer.

Get on with it, Joseph.

Painting over the side on an insecure staging.

At constant risk to life and limb, and for what purpose?

Smarten up the owner's pretty ship.

Joseph!

I now call upon all hands.

To give of their charity to these few poor effects.

In remembrance of their late comrade.

The proceeds to go to his sorrowing widow and three orphaned children.

First item.

One woolen cap.

Cap for Sunday best.

Will keep any head snug and warm through the rigors of an Irishman's summer.

A wild cape, Horner.

Or a drafty horse, Garrett.

Now what do I bid?

Sixpence.

Ninth. One silver shilling.

Two shillings.

Two and sixpence.

Any advance on two and sixpence?

One and a half a dollar.

One alderman?

Is that all I need for this fine example of the craft of knitting and splicing?

Three, Bob. Three shillings.

I have three shillings.

Three and a joey.

Three and six.

Any advance on three and six?

Four shillings. I have four shillings.

Come on, now.

Come on now, bid generously and bid often.

You don't need coins in the realm.

The captain will acknowledge a chit and generously deduct it from your pay at

the end of the voyage.

Come on now, four shillings.

And a half.

A dollar. One whole cartwheel.

Going once.

Going twice.

Five pounds.

Five pounds.

Five.

Five pounds of my money? Are you completely bereft of your senses?

A man couldn't earn such a sum if he stayed aboard the entire voyage and

not a single penny.

It's the least we can do.

The least?

Then heaven preserve us from your best.

Five pounds.

That's small enough recompense for a woman losing a dear one.

Look, his woman was a slut and he was the most amputated sailor ever to set

aboard his ship. If the man was clumsy, then all the more reason why Mr. Bain

should not have put him in a position of grave danger.

Seafaring is a dangerous profession.

and no doubt a ship is the most dangerous vehicle ever devised by mind

But that doesn't give you the right to hoist upon me every seaman's widow and

brood of starveling. Have you no vestige of charity in your heart, James?

The deserving poor are more than well catered for, what with orphanages and

asylums and workhouses, without my being asked to provide a private asylum for

distressed seaman's wives.

And Pope's wife will not be distressed for long.

Not that one, you believe me. That is not the point. No, the point is five

pounds of my money.

Well, I'll not pay it.

I'm going on deck now.

Make sure no more of your pet mendicants take it into their minds to leap over

the side.

These new airtights will be all the rage, you mark my words.

But will they buy them at half a crown of ten?

Look, it's cheaper than butcher's meat.

Even a small one will feed a whole family for a week.

Are you sure we can afford all this new stock?

Of course we can. Provided Emma Callan isn't as good as her word.

Look, she gave me 1 ,500 shares of a need in stock.

But only in return for supporting Fogarty as chairman.

Oh. Well, I thought I drove a sharp bargain, even though I do say it I

shouldn't. Well, I only hope James thinks so when he returns.

Look, I'll deal with James when the time comes.

Now that I've got a bit of capital behind me, I intend to make something of

myself. I shall be a man of substance.

And remember, you and our boy come first.

As for that brother of mine, let him stew in his own juice.

I've got a mouth like the inside of a devil's boot.

I'm choking for a drink.

Redstone, have your prayer boots and your mask shut.

My knees are bleeding.

And you'll have had to match if you don't stir your gas.

Will we be getting any shore leave at Charlotte, Emily?

You'll get drunk and diseased, maybe.

And there'll be no bumboats alongside neither, trading for thieveship stores.

He's gone only stone crazy, that fellow has.

Only stone crazy.

Couple of coats of China oil and those decks will be as good as new.

I want you to clean ship, Mr. Bain. Aye, aye, sir.

Ocean, watch down white cannon oil there.

Made good time, Mr. Baines.

We'll discharge our coal, iron rails at St. Thomas.

Wash the hold out.

Take on sugar, rum, coffee. Good profit there, Mr. Baines, good profit.

We're going to build that steamship to Albert Fraser's design. I must scrape

together every penny that I can get.

I must buy every need and line share that I can lay my hands on.

So fast passage, Mr. Baines.

Time is money.

I'll give you the fastest passage you've ever known, sir.

Your wife, Mr. Jessop.

Done on our tenth wedding anniversary.

Speak in lightness while you wait.

I thought I recognized her.

We met in my brother -in -law's shop, as I remember.

Now that the Oneidians stopped our credit, as I remember.

She must have been quite beautiful.

Yes, she was, then.

Before age, quickly, missus.

I'm sorry.

Oh, no, you're not, ma 'am.

Oh, you have a kind and generous nature, no doubt, and common enough amongst

your class and owes to charity when the conscience pricks.

Five pounds.

Well, I'll make sure Popey's widow gets it.

Thank you, ma 'am.

But you remember, if you give a poor man a loaf of bread, he's still the same

poor man the next day.

And we prefer to buy our own bread.

Very commendable, Mr. Jetson.

But when a tutley loaf costs threatened...

Where do we get the other penny from, eh?

From the bounty of the owners?

Or from a charity of your heart?

My husband is a hard man, but he is also a fair and just one. But not notably a

generous one.

We want that extra penny, Mrs. O 'Neill.

And this time, we intend to get it.

More shopping?

We've been invited to a dinner party.

I must look my best.

A little time for social engagements.

You've little time for anything but your precious steamship.

She must be designed according to my concepts, not those of Daniel Fogarty.

how long will it take? You seem to have been months and months. Until James's

return.

Then he can deal with the new chairman.

And with your brother Robert.

He's much to answer for.

He betrayed us?

For a few miserable shares.

In return for voting Daniel Fogarty for chairman.

Judas.

Wouldn't care to be in Robert's shoes when James returns.

Oh, forget it. Let James and Daniel Fogarty fight their own battle.

It's my battle as well.

Unless James regains control of the company, I'll be forced to design the

that Fogarty insists upon. What does it matter whether it's built with masts and

sails or not?

It matters very much to me.

Yes, of course. I'm sorry.

Albert.

This dinner party.

Who's giving it?

Emma Callum, no less.

They say she lives in great style with liveried servants and a house so richly

furnished you wouldn't believe.

Oh, do say we can go, Albert.

All right.

I suppose Daniel Fogarty will be the guest of honour.

He will be there, naturally.

I've heard they're betrothed.

Robert? Robert, look.

We have an invitation from Miss Callan.

Oh, Robert, you are going up in the world.

Who else will be there?

I've no idea.

But people of Miss Callan's circumstances are to be cultivated.

We'll have to dress formally, of course.

Now, what shall I wear?

One of those seething bumboats comes alongside, drop a heavy shackle down

through its building.

Why, sir?

Sheriff!

What are you doing, Fletcher?

Fish in.

Watch below.

Lay, lay, lay.

Where's my cravat?

Four hours of daylight wasted already.

Are you going at all?

Somebody must roust out those...

Good -for -nothing lighter men.

I've never been ashore in a Caribbean port. Well, think yourself lucky.

Only but flies, mosquitoes, malaria.

Half -civilised natives, no place for a woman.

There must be shops.

Well, there's a market of sorts.

We've no money to spare on fripperies.

It's coming down in bucketfuls. Ruin his varnish work.

Deserves him right for not letting them bumboats come alongside.

Oh, he could have had fresh fruit and coconuts instead of shipboard tack day

day out. Yeah, boatloads of fresh fish all alive and kicking.

Oh, I tried my hand at catching a couple of them, but one of them bumboat men

cut me line.

Can't blame them. It's their livelihood, isn't it?

This is good rum.

Aye, but forbidden.

No spiritual slickers to be brought aboard.

Simple like I'm waiting the ship's articles.

And you put your marks to it. Well, if you don't, you don't work.

I can't abide these temperance ships.

Work you till you drop, and they're nobly joing all their Sundays.

No swearing. Oh, that's petticoat influence.

You crew of swearers from a captain down.

A swearing ship is a sociable ship. That's what I owe too. Swearing is a

simpleton's outlet for anger.

You save your tempers until we're back home.

And then?

We store our labour.

For every man.

We'll not be alone, I promise you.

Strike? What other course is there to set?

We can't afford to come out against the owners.

We can't afford not to.

£2 .15 a month? And half of that signed away as an allotment for me wife?

I'll think myself lucky if I've three sovereigns left at the end of this

Can you think of a better reason for striking, eh?

Fair wages and regular hours? You can't work regular hours at sea. It's bound to

reason. Why not?

The steamship men do.

Four hours on and four hours off as regular as clockwork. Unless you get a

of a breeze, then it's all hands out to make sale.

Look out, look out.

Rum, that'll cost you three days' pay, Jesse.

It's my bottle.

Sir?

It's my bottle, Mr Baines.

Right, Fletcher, three days' pay stop for you.

Two days and a half provisions for the rest of you. Why don't you just starve

to death? That's done with it, eh?

Insolence and contemptuous behaviour, that's another day's pay, Jesse.

Any further comments?

Deck every man, Jacoby. You'll sweat that rum out of you before this day is

through. And, Fletcher, take a bucket of grease and sooth down the mainmast.

From the royal mast head down. And when you finish, report to me.

I'll find more work suitable for your talents.

You allowed the traders to come alongside Mr. Baines? Seems so unfair to

crew. Those bumboat men would steal everything that wasn't nailed down, ma

and the crew are no better.

They've no ready money, so the ship's stores will go in exchange for rum and

palm wine.

In half an hour, they'll be a drunken rebel. I've seen it happen too many

ma 'am.

After a long sea voyage, they'd sell their souls for drink.

Look out, ma 'am!

Get her on deck!

Was that plain careless, Miss Jessop?

Sorry, ma 'am.

The pin slipped from my hand.

You might have killed Mrs. O 'Neil.

Just you take care in future.

Mr. Baines behaved precisely the same as I would have done under the same

circumstances. Put pain to the matter there and then.

Strike the man.

You might have been killed.

Mr. Baines struck him on your behalf.

It was an accident.

Accident?

Listen, Jethro had no right, nor did his duty, require him to carry a belaying

pen aloft.

Now, look, if Mr. Baines chose to proceed against the man, I'd have no

alternative but to put him in irons to await British justice.

Then he'd have to try his luck with a British magistrate on a charge of

attempted murder.

Murder? Well, we've only Jessop's word for it that it was an accident.

It was an accident!

Look, you might have been killed.

Now, an inquiry's bound to find against the man.

I assure you, Jessop would return you small thanks for your justice.

Do you have a closed mind?

I have a very clear mind, and only one thing in it. To get this boat loaded and

homeward bound as quickly as possible. Money.

Oh, I might remind you, Anne.

that the money that you affect to despise brings you the security that you

crave.

You can call on me as witness. Aye, on me.

With that benefit I'll cause.

You could have him in front of the magistrate.

My target is not the mayor.

My target is the law.

The law which obliges us all to suffer injustice.

The law which protects us with authority into the hands of masters and owners

like O 'Neill.

We must be united in one aim, and one aim only.

To put an end to the conditions of the working seamen.

To take action against Bain.

If we do not advance our cause, one will... There must be 10 ,000 sailors

in Liverpool any one time.

How are you going to convince them?

One leads.

Others will follow.

You devote yourself entirely to flip design...

Not to the exclusion of all elves, and certainly not at this moment, Miss

Callan.

Mr Fraser has quite a talent for taking advantage of the moment.

What a pretty ring.

It is an engagement ring, is it not, Miss Callan?

Dear Daniel's insistence.

Why, he really is the most importunate fellow imaginable.

Indeed. Then I must have entirely misread Mr Fogarty's character.

I think you'll discover, Miss Callan, that Mr. Fogarty has quite an acute

of direction.

Ah, well, he's reached the summit now.

Eh, Daniel? With your help, Robert.

And Miss Callan's generosity, I understand.

Oh, Robert, draw the hard bargain.

And to insist upon our need in lion's shares in preference to Callan's shares

shows a great faith in your steamship, Mr. Fraser.

Oh, quiet.

Well, Miss Steamship is to be redesigned by a committee of sailing shipmen and

childless. Oh, I think not.

Once and for all, Mr Fraser, it is the board of directors who decide company

policy, not any one man, however talented.

Isn't it somewhat unusual for a minority shareholder to act as chairman?

I think you rather overestimate the value of your... Ten shares, Fogarty?

number of shares which I... Mr Fraser!

I am principal shareholder of the Aeneid in life, and Mr Fogarty has my full

support. Have you ever once set eyes on my plans for the steamship, Miss Cowan?

No. Then perhaps you should.

If the seamen are there where your plans will remain gathering dust, then we'll

all go out of business.

I think we're heading for a strike.

And the sooner the better for my taste.

Meet them head on and smash them is the only way.

But most of our customers are seamen's wives.

And all have tech books.

Robert, we must put a stop to their credit immediately. It may never happen,

Sarah. Oh, but we'll be the first to feel the effects. The poor merchant

is. Really, the labouring classes simply do not know where their own best

interest lies.

Obviously not with Mr Fogarty.

Steamships are the root cause.

Those who've shipped aboard steamers say that food and conditions are better.

They're now demanding the same conditions aboard sailing ships.

Then you should lose no time in fitting them with engines.

The labouring classes appear to be on the side of progress after all.

They're also demanding that their wages be doubled to five pounds a month.

Is that also progress, Mr Fraser?

I think it's downright wicked.

Oh, well, they will have more money to spend.

You see, Mr Fogarty, your board is already divisive in its opinions.

I know one man whose opinion I can depend on.

James O 'Nedin.

Did you?

I did.

Sunday and no fresh meat.

Crack a rush every day.

Not enough of that to keep a bird alive.

You starve on weevily biscuits.

If the cabiner goes short, I'll warrant you.

I had the last of the fowls today.

Ah, the smell's all over the ship. Enough to drive a man crazy. Rotten

meat thrown over the side, homeward bound on half rations, and no fresh

took aboard.

What can we do about it?

We can claim our entitlement.

And that's eight pounds a day.

Aye.

This should be a most profitable voyage.

At whose expense?

What? The conditions of employment aboard this ship are a disgrace.

And this voyage is no different from any other.

Oh, there is a difference.

We've got Jessop and the crew.

We dine off rote fowl while the men are on half rations.

Bad meat must be disposed of. You know that as well as I do, Anne.

And if those tender feelings of yours are still troubling you, let them do so

longer. From tomorrow on, we shall all be on short commons.

There is growing anger aboard this ship.

And you know the cause of it as well as I do. Jessop.

I tell you, he's a troublemaker. He's a born agitator. It's the last time that

he sets foot aboard in an Eden ship.

You'd take away his livelihood?

No. No, I'll... I'll recommend him for a berth aboard a Callan ship, eh?

James.

The men have long -standing grievances. Mr Jess, it's only a focal point. What

grievances? When they queued to sign articles of agreement, they knew what

was about.

There was no compulsion.

Only the compulsion of unemployment and starvation if they did not sign. What

manner of choice is that to offer a man? Anne, the ship's articles was drafted

by Act of Parliament, and I must abide by them as much as the crew.

But the penalties are lopsided for as matron or innocent in judgment of your

case. Anne, I think the best thing is that you stay at home in future.

One sea lawyer aboard ship is more than enough.

James... No, Anne, even if I agreed with you.

I have to abide by ship's articles.

And make them work for your benefit.

Look, what do you want me to do?

Join the crew? Help make us bankrupt?

Yes, what is it?

Beg pardon, sir.

We are a deputation representing the interests of the folks who are hanged,

Hmm. Is this an official complaint?

Which will require entering into the log and properly and duly witnessed.

I'll overlook your impertinence this time, Chester.

Right. What's your complaint?

Beg pardon, sir, but no impertinence was intended.

Mr. Jessop is official spokesman and we'll not stand by and see him abused.

Right.

Make your complaint and get on with it.

Our provisions have been reduced by one half.

So?

So we claim eight points a day as our right as laid down by the Merchant

Shipping Act.

Section 123, paragraphs 1 and 3, viz.

If during the voyage the allowance of provisions is reduced by more than one

third... The seamen shall be entitled to, and in addition to wages, the sum of

eight pence a day. We stand on law.

Do you now?

Well, you should have read a little further, a little deeper, Jessop.

But if it can be shown that any provisions, the allowance of which has

reduced, could not be procured or supplied in proper quantity, such

circumstances shall be taken into consideration.

At our last port of call...

Fresh meat was unobtainable.

Does that answer your complaint?

Well, we'll go hungry now.

But your turn will come.

No fresh meat obtainable. Is that true, James?

Yes, quite true.

Well, fresh meat was obtainable, but not at a price that we could afford.

Your husband should be home soon, Mrs Jessop.

I wish it had been a much longer voyage.

Oh? I hoped and prayed that he'd be away at sea while the strike's on. It hasn't

started yet.

Perhaps it won't.

I'm sure the men will come to their senses.

They know which side their bread is buttered.

Butter? When did the merchant seaman or his family last taste butter?

I think you'd better persuade your husband to join a new ship the moment he

docks, Mrs. Joseph.

have a better opportunity.

The port of Liverpool will be packed with ships. Cotton, hired and grain from

the States.

Trade's booming.

We must put out demands to the employers while they're still greedy for their

profits. Turn us down flat. Exactly.

So we must put it to a meeting.

Submit or strike.

The golden nugget.

I'm most impressed, Mr Fraser.

You see, what is not generally realised, particularly by blinkered sailing

shipmen, is that the engine is also a source of power for the... You have such

neat hands.

Well, that must be the reason.

Well, do you know, I couldn't draw a straight line if my life depended on it.

I can appreciate, Miss Callan, that the technical details may be somewhat

tedious for you.

Oh, dear.

I have said the wrong thing, haven't I?

Do continue, Mr Fraser.

Perhaps it would be better if I had to leave me plans with you for you to study

at your leisure.

Well, now you disappoint me.

There's little flattery to be garnered when a gentleman informs a lady that his

most earnest desire...

is to put a speedy end to a conversation.

Only that I may continue at a later date.

Do you make such pretty speeches to your wife, sir?

Even prettier, for I've had longer to practice.

Then she is most fortunate a woman.

But we must concentrate upon the business at hand.

My father has always impressed upon me that I have a poor head for business,

I was... Then we are evenly matched, sir. For my poor head cannot put two and

two together without arriving at the most absurd of totals.

I was hoping to persuade you, Miss Callan, to use your influence over Mr.

Fogarty. To what end, Mr. Fraser?

To put an end to this confounded vendetta that'll bring us all to ruin.

A vendetta?

A private matter.

I find it hard to believe that Mr. Fogarty could possibly abuse a position

trust in furtherance of some petty grudge.

Fogarty is determined to gain control of the Aneedan line for the sole purpose

of preventing me building the Golden Nugget.

Well, if Mr. Fogarty is of the opinion that your proposed steam vessel would be

better for carrying sail, then he believes it wholeheartedly.

He is wrong.

That may be.

But your saying so will not alter his opinion one bit.

You must prove it to him.

How? I do not know, Mr. Fraser.

But if you imagine, I can swayed him from his purpose.

You overrate my influence.

You may tell Mr. Fogarty that the golden nugget will be built from the original

specifications.

And not to his.

I see no reason for reporting a private conversation.

Mr. Fogarty does not own me yet.

I wish you a good morning, Miss Callan.

Mr. Fraser.

I hope we may part as friends.

That is also my wish.

Please, convey my regards to your wife and your little son.

Of course.

Good morning to you, Miss Callan.

Clay. Three months and ten days at £2 .15 per month.

Less your allotment of 30 shillings per month.

Deductions, three days pay for insolent behaviour.

Total due, £3 .096.

Yes.

Yes, sir.

Sailmaker. Sir.

Three months and ten days at £4 .15 per month. Less allotment of 40 shillings

per month.

A deduction, slop chest.

14 shillings and sixpence.

Fines. Three days' pay for having on board spirituous liquor.

For insolent behaviour, one day's pay.

Swearing and using profane language, two days' pay.

Carrying a belaying pin aloft to the danger of life, two days' pay.

Washing clothes on Sunday, one day's pay. Provoking a quarrel, one day's pay.

Total fine, ten days' pay at two and sixpence.

Total sum due, six pounds and sixpence.

Right. Fletcher.

Now, steamship men won't join us. That's not important.

You still outnumber them ten to one. Aye, every sailor in this port has come

ashore. Right. Then we'll organise into districts and sub -districts throughout

the length and breadth of the docks. The Callan and O 'Neilly berth.

They're mine, all right? They'll bring in the strike breakers reported by the

crushers. Any policeman who shows his face will be thrown into the dock

alongside those who seek to protect.

Now, to our demands.

These are fair enough in substance.

When we meet with the owners, we're going to have to be more specific.

We're going to have to spell it out to them in chapter and verse.

And if they don't listen?

We'll burn their ships.

Mr Jenkins will sell at my price, lock, stock and barrel.

We'll expand, Sarah.

Yes, we'll take over his premises and knock down that wall and expand... A

double -fertilised shop.

No, more than that.

Look, there's a stable in here. Well, I can turn that into a fine storeroom and

warehouse. And I'll have a sign painted. It'll say, um, Robert or Nadine, ship's

handler and provision merchant.

We're on our way, Sarah. Nothing can stop us now. We're on our way.

If it's company money you're thinking of spending, Robert, think again.

Seaman are on strike, you know.

We bow to their demands, it costs us money.

We stand fast, it costs us money.

Well, what is it that they want?

Well, not so much a question of what they want, but how little they can be

persuaded to take.

Well, you're not giving to them without a fight. Well, they must be stopped, put

in prison. Oh, there speaks a brave little woman with nothing much to lose.

Have you forgotten the bread rights and the mobs rampaged through the streets,

burning and plundering every shop in sight?

I haven't.

Now, the 10 ,000 seamen in this port only needs one loose -mouthed fool and

docks will be ablaze from one end to the other.

Oh, well, what this situation needs is a cool head and clear thinking.

When do you propose to meet with them? Well, not until they've had time to

tighten their belts a little.

Nothing weakens a man's resolve so much as hunger, you know.

Men. What?

They're all the same. Loose fish, every one of them.

Have you been quarrelling with Albert?

Not yet, but I intend to. That shameless, wanton creature.

Who are you talking about?

That bejeweled Jezebel, Emma Callan.

She rolls her eyes and Albert turns to water.

Miss Callan is betrothed to Mr Fogarty.

I have it on good authority that she received Albert at her house alone.

Gothic. I think not. Have you asked Albert?

He flew into a passion and accused me of harbouring unworthy suspicions. As I

have no doubt they are.

It's all very well for you to speak.

You and James are a matched pair, and anyone less likely to kick over the

traitors than James, I cannot imagine.

But Albert has always been susceptible to the blandishments of painted harpies

like that creature.

So his notion of security was to make a parcel of their need in line and deliver

it straight into the hands of Fogarty. What do you have to say to that,

Chandler?

I do not have to justify myself.

You do.

You sold us out for 1 ,500 shares.

Explain, Robert.

Look, Albert could never have won the election to the being chairman of the

company with my support or without it. Now, rubbish.

I would have won hands down.

I am sorry, Albert, but that was not my opinion.

James, yes, you, no. We could at least have made a fight for it.

Look, under the circumstances, it was my duty to make the best deal that I

could. For yourself.

Look, I was offered Callan shares, which are at least paying a dividend.

But no, I insisted upon our own shares, which, as far as I can see, as yet pay

not one penny, but do have a market value. 1 ,500 shares.

You were well paid for your bit of chicanery.

From now on, your proxy's with us. Now, you remember that. All right.

And he might not have made such a bad bargain after all. It's a paper bargain.

With Fogarty in the chair, the golden nugget will never be built. No, it's

than paper.

Miss Callan held 48 ,000 shares. She parted with 1 ,500 to Robert. That

her 46 ,500. We held 45 ,000. And now with my 1 ,500 shares, we also now have

,500. So we are even. But with Fogarty in command.

Well, we must give Fogarty something else to think about. Such as?

Well, I think it's time we met with the strike leaders, eh?

No more credit.

You know perfectly well, Mrs. Jessop, that with your husband out on strike for

more than two weeks now, there'll be no more money coming in.

The sooner your husband comes to his senses and leads those poor, misguided

back to honest work, the better it'll be for all.

Now, that's my last word.

Children may starve, so if they're needed, can make a profit at both ends.

That's the last you'll see of my custom.

Good day to you, Mrs. Orneda.

Some people simply do not know the meaning of the word gratitude.

Now, what can I do for you?

Well, I'll start with six pounds of flour, two pounds of lard, three

worth of Hamburg beef and two large airtights of boiled mutton.

The demands are outrageous.

No ship owner in the land could possibly agree to such terms.

Well, our ship will move until you do.

We have been patient thus far, hoping that common sense would prevail.

Patient? You haven't been patient.

You simply wait until your ships have been discharged and loaded.

Now they're ready to sail, you imagine you can bring matters to a head by a

direct challenge to our authority.

Well, you are mistaken, Mr Fogarty, mistaken.

You're not dealing with a mindless mob now.

We are disciplined and we are organised.

There's been no rioting, no pillaging, no damage.

Your ships are safe and they will remain safe.

Unless... Unless what, Jessup?

Unless you force our hand.

I'll not give in to wild threats, Jessop. There's nothing wild about them,

mister.

I can find crews fast enough.

This town is overflowing with able -bodied men, eager and willing to ship

any scowl that floats.

Scab and black -legged labour?

Protected by the police and the militia?

Well, you try it, Mr Fogarty, you try it.

and the consequences will be on your own head. Now, threats will get you

nowhere, Jessop. Now, we must discuss this matter. Discuss?

There's nothing to discuss.

I reject these so -called proposals in their entirety.

In that case, Mr Fogarty, you appear to be wasting both Mr Jessop's and my time.

They're demanding five pounds a month, double their present wages.

Oh, well, if you're prepared to bankrupt yourself on it, then I'm not.

Cullinan Company has 26 ships. Do you realise what that will cost her to meet

such a claim?

Nine of your ships are tied up in port and three more.

Three more waiting for berths. Now, you cost that out, Mr Fogarty. I know you of

old Jessop. You're the troublemaker.

Now, I'll break this track and you are the gentleman.

I have counted the cost and I think we should postpone this meeting until

Until both parties have had time to reconsider their position.

No further, O 'Nedin.

I'm going aboard my ship.

Have you agreed to our terms?

No. Are you prepared to discuss them? No.

Can you and your ship stay put?

At your peril, O 'Nedin.

At your peril.

James, I think we should give way a little.

Well,

then, throw him a sock.

And what do you have in mind?

Well, provisions.

A proper dietary scale is long overdue. There speaks the true Chandler.

Philanthropy on the one hand and cash on the other.

Well, I want my dinner.

She's away down at the shop again.

The way she's been buying in stuff lately, anybody thinks she's laying up

siege. Here, one.

Look who's here.

Mr. Jessop.

A word with you. You owe us eight pence a day for... Pleasure, pleasure.

As many words as you like, Mr. O 'Neill.

Do you mind if we agreed on the subject matter?

Well, I have two ships ready for sea.

Captain Baines here will take out the Star of Bethlehem and I shall be in

command of the Charlotte Roads.

Will you now?

Well, agree to our terms and you can take them out tomorrow.

Don't. And they stay alongside.

Do you agree to our terms or not?

Well, now, I have some counter -proposals. Then keep them in your

be a fool, Jessop. You must know no owner's prepared to accept all your

but some individual owners might be prepared to take this or that part of

proposals. And which part or parts do you have in mind?

Well, now.

Um...

I say, from now on, any ship sailing under the Oneidon flag will feed full

plenty.

Words.

Words.

You spell it out, Oneidon.

It's all here.

A pound and a half of meat a day, fresh when available.

Substitutes as stated here on there. It's from today for short rations? It's

there, written down.

I can't read.

Well, just again.

Aye.

Aye, it's here.

What else?

Well, now, you asked for a 96 -hour week.

Thereafter, overtime at fourpence an hour.

I'll offer you a 100 -hour week with two pence an hour thereafter, unless, of

course, the safety of the ship is at stake.

Safety of the ship?

There's a loophole for a master to drive through.

A hundred hours.

Now, we're not slaving day and night in port, cleaning out holes at tuppence a

time.

Tuppence at sea, fourpence in port.

Four pence, then, if required.

All right.

There's plenty of cheap labour abroad.

What else?

Five pounds a month is our goal in price. Nobody's going to pay you five

a month.

Take that out of your head. What's your offer, then?

Well, I'll give you an increase of five shillings a month, not a penny more.

Three pound a month, guaranteed minimum wage.

That's overtime.

All right.

I'll put your proposals before the council.

Oh, just another thing.

If I agree to your terms, you must agree to mine.

Terms? Well, if I'm the only owner to strike a bargain, I must have some

advantages.

You can rest assured, Mr O 'Neill, that no Callan ship will move unless Mr

Fogarty matches your conditions.

Yes, well, that's all I wanted to know. You have our word on it. Oh, good.

Well, good day then, gentlemen.

Captain Baines.

Come with me.

I want you clear for Philadelphia tomorrow.

Philadelphia? Yes, nice fat Callan cargo, right for the picking, eh?

I have to report that a further meeting with the representatives of the owners

has met with an obstinate refusal to meet with the basis of our demand.

There is one exception, however.

The O 'Neillian line has got a long way to meet those demands.

Your council therefore agreed that any ship sailing under the O 'Neillian flag

be allowed to sail.

You got food! You got food!

Idiot Fogarty.

Is it all over now?

Aye.

Fogarty and his bully boys have broken the strike.

Now we can start counting the cost.

Burnt one of his ships right down to the waterline.

Wrecked his dock office, then set fire to three warehouses.

And the mobs used that as an excuse to go right through the town wrecking

everything. And Mr. Jekyll...

Arrested with the other members of his so -called council.

What will happen to them?

No doubt they'll stew in prison for a while. That's monstrous. No doubt, but

is the law.

What's that you're doing?

Provisions.

What for?

Your quarrel's been with the seamen, not with their wives and children.

You mean to say that I've been supporting...

Strikers out of me own pocket? No, James, out of my pocket.

And not strikers, but their unfortunate families.

It comes to the same thing. May I remind you, Anne, that every penny that you

possess comes from my purse, not yours.

The money's from my housekeeping. You've not suffered.

Housekeeping is not wages.

A wife doesn't have property.

I am no chattel, James.

Neither you nor anyone else will deny me the right to spend my money, my own

money, in any way that I choose.

You do not hold title to money.

Her husband puts the bills. I mean, housekeeping might be the wife's

but the money that she receives for it is at her husband's forbearance.

Where the devil do you think you're going with that?

To Mrs. Jessop.

As her husband's in prison, she cannot rely upon his forbearance.

Anne, you leave this house against my express wishes and you needn't bother to

come back.

I mean what I say.

Yes, Jessop.

See that you do.