Original subtitles

[Man Narrating] This is the story of a ship.

[Hammering]

[Hammering Continues]

[Rivet Gun Riveting]

[Hammering]

[Men Cheering]

[Cheering Continues]

[Whistle Blows]

Ship's company, shun!

Turn aft. Right and left, turn!

- Open fire! - Open fire!

- Shoot! - [Explosion]

[Ship's Guns Firing]

Look at the huns, sir. They're jumping overboard in full marching order.

- [Explosion] - Cor! Look at that. Come in. The water's lovely.

Cor! Look at 'em! Somebody must have blown a whistle!

- Layer on! - Left gun ready. 0-3-0, 1-0 left.

- [Beeps] - [Explosion]

There are a lot more caïques to port, sir, and some bigger transports.

- Right. Shift to the big transport. - Aye, aye, sir.

Check-check-check. Shift target right. Follow T.B.I.

[Beeps]

- Can I fire torpedoes at the transport, sir? - All right, Torps.

- You can get your old moldies off this time, but not more than two at any transport. - Aye, aye, sir.

- Flags, make to the division. Train tubes to port. - Aye, aye, sir.

Ready, port.

Main office, make Tommy Tommy port.

[Explosions]

That's got 'em!

Shoot when you see the whites of their eyes.

- 0-3-5. - 1-0 right.

Bingo!

- Fire one! - Fire one!

- Fire two! - Fire two!

- [Explosion] - Torpedoes fired, sir.

Our fish have hit, sir, and one transport has blown up.

[Explosion]

There goes another. Big stuff. The rest of the division are doing well.

Must be an enemy destroyer, sir.

- Right. Engage her. - Aye, aye, sir.

Check-check-check. Shift target left. Follow T.B.I.

Take this. It was my mother's.

- Ah! - [Explosion]

- Trainer on. - Layer on!

- Left gun ready. - Right gun ready!

0-4-0. 1-0 left.

[Beeps]

I'll lay you 10-to-1 they're all Germans.

You'd never get the macaronis to tackle a dangerous job like that -

not for love nor money.

Go on. The Eyeties will do anything for money.

Ah, anything but fight. That's why they were so lousy in the last war.

That's on account of their warm, languorous, southern temperament.

- Cocoa, sir? - Thanks, Snotty.

Thank you.

Here comes the dawn of a new day, Flags, and I shouldn't be surprised if it were a fairly uncomfortable one.

Yes, sir. It's a very pretty sky, sir.

Somebody sent me a calendar rather like that last Christmas.

Did it have a squadron of Dorniers in the upper right-hand corner?

- No, sir. - That's where art parts company with reality.

Yes, I'm afraid you're right, sir. Cigarette?

Thanks.

Aircraft in sight astern, sir!

Angle of sight 2-0.

Looks like a couple of squadrons of Junkers 88's.

- Starboard 20. - Aye, aye, sir. Starboard 20.

- One blast on the siren. - Aye, aye, sir.

[Siren Whoops]

Aircraft in sight, bearing green 1-7-0. Angle of sight 2-0.

Short range weapons, aircraft in sight! Starboard, stand by for dive bombers!

- Open fire! - Shoot!

The first wave are diving now.

- Hard aport. Sound two blasts. - Aye, aye, sir.

- [Siren Whoops Twice] - All guns, sector independent.

Down, everybody!

[Bomb Whistling, Explodes]

- Hard astarboard. - We've got one out of that covey.

Try and get two next time.

[Men Shouting]

All guns shift to the next wave, red 1-4-0!

- Midships! - Short range weapons, shift to the next wave.

Bearing red 1-4-0.

[Ship's Guns Firing]

- Hard astarboard. - Hard astarboard, sir.

- Sound one blast. - Aye, aye, sir.

[Siren Whoops]

[Machine Gun Fire]

We've winged that one.

Down, everybody!

[Bomb Whistles]

[Machine Gun Fire]

- Midships. - Aye, aye, sir. Midships.

There's another wave on the port side, sir.

- [Explosion] - Hard astarboard.

- Hard astarboard. - [Siren Whoops]

[Explosion]

[Machine Gun Fire]

The leader of this wave is coming much lower, sir.

He'll probably hit our mast.

[Whistling]

[Machine Gun Fire]

[Bomb Whistling, Explodes]

Well done.

We've got him, but I'm afraid he's got us too.

Midships.

Midships, sir.

Carry on firing. Here comes the next wave.

All guns are still in action, sir.

[Siren Whoops Twice]

[Machine Gun Fire]

- Stop full. - [Machine Gun Fire]

No answer from the engine room, sir. The telegraphs must be shot away.

I'm afraid we're going over.

Pass the word for the hands not at the guns to cast loose the Carley floats.

[Bomb Whistling, Explodes]

Abandon ship!

[Bomb Whistles, Explodes]

[Whistles, Explodes]

[Captain, Echoing] I'll sign for her now.

[Echoing Continues] I'll sign for her now. I'll sign for her now.

- Mr. Satterthwaite been sighted yet? - No, sir, but it's just on 10:00.

[Hammering]

Stop that hammering for one minute, Edgecombe. I can't hear meself think.

[Edgecombe] Aye, aye, sir.

You'd better tell No. 1 to fall in the hands on the quarter deck.

Aye, aye, sir.

Shall we have it on the desk or the shelf, sir?

Shelf for the moment. We'll have the usual one on the desk when you find it.

- Wedding dress, sir? - Yeah.

- It's here, sir. - Good. Give it to me.

[Knocks]

Mr. Satterthwaite's coming on board, sir.

- Is No. 1 bringing him down? - Yes, sir.

- Hands all aft? - Yes, sir.

Good.

- Mr. Satterthwaite, sir. - Good morning, Satterthwaite.

- Good morning, Captain Kinross. - Everything in order?

Certainly.

We'd better get the little ceremony over, and then we can go on deck.

- Were you satisfied with the full power trial? - Yes, she's a well-found ship.

We'll be hoisting the Ensign in a couple of minutes, Edgecombe. You'd better get your cap and go on deck.

- Aye, aye, sir. - Now then.

Are you prepared to take over the ship, sir?

Yes. I'll sign for her now.

[Man, Echoing] Watch your head, sir.

Watch your head, sir.

[Horn Honking]

- You can smoke if you like, Edgecombe. - Oh, thank you, sir.

- Will you have one, sir? - No, thanks, not at the moment.

- Heard from your missus lately? - Yes, sir. I had a letter last week.

- One of the usuals - full of complaints. - Why, what's wrong?

Her mother was took bad again and had to go to hospital.

That old woman's always in trouble. If you ask me, I think she enjoys it.

- What's the matter with her? - Well, last time it was her back, sir. This time it's her stomach.

It seems she can't keep anything down, and if I know her, it's not for want of trying.

I should think you'd be glad to be going to sea again.

That's putting it mildly, sir.

- Darling! - Hello, darling!

- We thought you were never coming. - Everything under control?

Oh, far from it. We've been in an uproar all day, ever since your telegram came.

- Daddy! - Oh. Ooh!

Hello, Bobby. [Laughing]

We've been waiting for hours and hours.

Mummy wanted us to go to bed, but we wouldn't.

We saw the ship, Daddy. We saw the ship.

We took our tea on the cliffs and saw it go by quite close.

- Not "it," Lavvy. "Her." - That's right, Son.

She looked beautiful, Teddy. It was thrilling.

How fast was she going, Daddy? Was she going 40 knots?

Good heavens, no. She was only doing about 20.

- But she can do more than that, can't she? - You bet she can.

You might take the car round, Edgecombe. Then you can give Ellen a hand with the dinner.

- Aye, aye, sir. - Good evening, Edgecombe. - Evening, ma'am.

I hope it's a good dinner. I'm absolutely starving.

- Can I tell him what it is, Mummy? - Of course you can't. It's a surprise.

- She mustn't spoil it, must she, Mummy? - Oh! Bobby dear, do keep still.

- How long have you got? - Only till the morning.

Can we come to the dockyard tomorrow and see her?

I'm afraid not, Son. I shall be too busy. We're commissioning - making a rush job of it.

- But Mummy promised - - Oh. That's enough, Bobby. You heard what Daddy said.

But we shall be able to come on board before you go away, shan't we?

Well, we'll make time somehow.

- When, Daddy? When, when, when? - Oh, Bobby, don't be so persistent.

Children, you know it's really dreadfully late. You really will both have to go to bed.

Oh, Mummy.

Daddy will come up and say good night to you before dinner, if you're quick.

- But I want to hear about the ship, Mummy. - I'll tell you all about her in the morning, Bobby.

We'll have an early breakfast, and you can fire as many questions at me as you like...

if you'll be good, do as your mother tells you and go to bed now.

- Can I ask questions too? - You never do anything else.

Go on. Off you go, both of you.

- I'll be up in 10 minutes. - Promise?

- Promise. - Are you coming up too, Mummy?

- Yes, darling. - All right. Come on, Lavvy. I'll race ya.

Wait! That's not fair.

They've been wild with excitement all day.

Darling, you must be exhausted. I'll get you a drink.

What would you like - whiskey and soda or a cocktail?

Well, seeing as how it's a gala evening, let's have a Kinross special.

I guessed it. It's all ready. Only wants the ice.

I made a private bet with myself that you'd forget to lay in any Cointreau.

Wrong again. I had a sort of feeling this was an occasion.

Were the trials satisfactory, darling? Were you pleased?

More than pleased. She's a lovely ship. Beautiful manners.

Does what she's told without a murmur.

Why are you making such a rush job of the commissioning?

Oh, I don't know. I like getting things done quickly.

- Is that the only reason? - We're living in strange times, darling.

- It's as well to be prepared for anything. - Yes, I suppose it is.

Nothing to worry about.

No, of course not. Here, try this.

It may be a bit too sweet.

My love.

Just right. Not a bit too sweet.

Missed me?

Of course not. I never gave you a thought. I've been much too busy.

That's right. What's the surprise for dinner?

Grouse. Maureen sent us a brace from Scotland.

Good for Maureen. There's a girl with really fine perception.

They're a bit high, but I expect you'll like that, won't you?

- Is that a new dress? - [Laughing] No, darling.

I've had it for ages.

- I'll swear I've never clapped eyes on it before. - Only about 20 times, my love.

Perhaps it's you that looked new. As good as new anyway.

Is there going to be a war, do you think?

Yes, I think there is.

Oh.

No good worrying about it till it comes. Not much good then really.

No.

Don't be sad.

I'm not sad really. I'm just sort of gathering myself together.

Any more of the Kinross special left in the shaker?

Yes, of course.

However busy you are and however quickly you've got to get your commissioning done...

I should like to come onboard just once before you go to sea...

just to give the ship my love.

You'll have to, whether you like it or not. My cabin's got to be made presentable.

- Does the chintz look all right? - Absolutely first-class.

Good. We'd better drink these up quickly and go up to the children.

Dinner will be ready in a minute.

Here we go.

Swim to the float!

[Coughing]

[Machine Gun Fire]

- [Machine Gun Fire] - [Plane Passing]

[Groaning]

[Plane Passes]

[Gasping]

[Grunting]

- [Muttering] - [Grunts]

I've got some brandy in my Gieve's.

[Coughing]

[Gasping, Coughing Continues]

Kath.

- Here's the paper, dear. - It's nearly half past.

I shan't have time to do more than look at the headlines.

There you are then.

- Doesn't look too good, does it? - Oh, you can't believe anything they say.

Look at all the fuss and fume we had last year -

everybody flying about in airplanes and making speeches.

And after all that, nothing happened.

Nothing happened to us, dear, but a hell of a lot happened to other people.

Do you really think we're going to have another war?

- Looks like it to me. - Well, I'll believe it when I see it.

Well, if you ask me, you're gonna see it quicker than you bargain for.

I don't believe that Hitler'd be so silly.

- What would he expect to gain by having a war? - World domination.

That's what that little rat's after. You mark my words.

Well, they haven't got enough to eat in Germany as it is.

Mrs. Blacket's nephew - you know, that one that travels in underwear -

come back from Berlin two months ago.

He said they was all half-starved.

Well, I can't help what Mrs. Blacket's nephew says.

I think we're for it.

Well, if we have another war, I give up, see, after all we went through last time.

All you went through. I like that.

Why, you was too young and innocent to know anything about it.

Don't talk so silly. You know perfectly well how old I am, and it's no use pretending you don't.

You'll always be young and innocent to me.

Will I indeed now?

If you ask me, you've got a hangover from all that beer you put away last night.

I must be going now. Is Mother coming down?

I promised I'd call her. Wait a minute.

Mother! Walter's just going. You'd better come down as you are.

That will be nice.

Will you get ashore again after commissioning -

before you go to sea, I mean?

That all depends.

You won't forget to put those bulbs in when the right time comes, will you?

You and your bulbs.

Good-bye, old girl.

Why, Walter Hardy, whatever is the matter with you this morning?

Anyone would think you was going away forever.

Well, you never know.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself saying such things.

[Woman] I shall go straight to Page and Morris and give them a piece of my mind!

Here comes Mother.

That spirit lamp of mine will be the death of me yet!

- What's the matter with it? - It blew up again.

Frightened the wits out of me.

You will put in too much methylated.

Anyway, I don't see what you want to go fussing about with spirit lamps in your bedroom for.

You could easily pop down to the kitchen. Nobody'd notice you.

I've made me own tea in me own bedroom all me life...

and I don't see any reason to stop now.

Yes, but that doesn't happen to be your own bedroom.

It's my spare, and if you go on blowing things up in it every five minutes...

it won't be fit to sleep in.

Stop it, you two. I've got to go now.

A nice thing when me own daughter starts criticizing me.

Oh, shut up, Mother. Say good-bye to Walter.

That's what you came down for, isn't it?

- Will you get ashore again? - All depends on Hitler.

- Who does he think he is anyway? - That's the spirit!

Good-bye, Mother. Look after Kath for me.

And don't you two go nagging each other from morning till night.

Nagging! I like that, I must say.

Come on, Kath.

- Good-bye, old girl. - Good-bye, dear.

Ship's company, shun!

[Whistle Blows]

- Ship's company present, sir. - Thanks, No. 1.

- Stand them at ease. - Aye, aye, sir.

Ship's company, stand at ease!

Break ranks and gather round me.

- Can you hear me all right in the back? - Aye, aye, sir.

Good. You all know that it's the custom of the service...

for the captain to address the ship's company on commissioning day...

to give them his policy and tell them the ship's program.

Now, my policy's easy...

and if there are any here who have served with me before, they will know what it is.

Are there any old shipmates of mine here?

Oh, glad to see you again, Reynolds and Adams...

and Blake and Coombe.

Who's that small fellow hiding behind the chief stoker?

Parkinson, sir.

Parkinson. You were coxswain of the All Comers whaler in the Valletta, weren't you?

I was that, sir, when we won the All Comers cup in the 1936 regatta.

- And fell into the ditch when you got to the ship. - [Men Chuckling]

Well, there are enough old shipmates to tell the others what my policy's always been.

Reynolds, Adams, Blake, Coombe, Parkinson.

What sort of a ship do I want the Torrin to be?

- A happy ship, sir. - That's right.

- An efficient ship, sir. - Correct.

A happy and efficient ship.

A very happy and a very efficient ship.

Some of you might think I'm a bit ambitious wanting both...

but in my experience, you can't have one without the other.

A ship can't be happy unless she's efficient...

and she certainly won't be efficient unless she's happy.

Now for our program.

You've most of you seen the commissioning program of the Torrin...

published in Plymouth General Orders...

and you will have noted that this allows the customary three weeks.

Well, you've all read your papers...

and you know that Ribbentrop signed a nonagression pact with Stalin yesterday.

As I see it, that means war next week.

So I will give you not three weeks, but exactly three days to get this ship ready to sail.

None of us will turn in or take our clothes off or sling our hammocks...

for the next three days and nights till the job's finished.

Then we'll send Hitler a telegram saying, "The Torrin's ready. You can start your war!"

You four bring in the sugar, you six gas masks...

you four canteen stores, and I'll join you and bring in the rum.

Wake up, England. You've had your hour. It's my turn now.

[Man On Speaker] Here is an announcement.

At 11:15 - that is, in about two minutes -

the prime minister will broadcast to the nation.

Please stand by.

♪♪ [Radio: Orchestra]

♪♪ [Fades]

[Neville Chamberlain On Radio] I am speaking to you...

from the cabinet room...

at 10 Downing Street.

This morning the British ambassador in Berlin...

handed the German government...

a final note...

stating that, unless we heard from them by 11:00...

that they were prepared at once...

to withdraw their troops from Poland...

a state of war would exist between us.

I have to tell you now...

that no such undertaking has been received...

and that, consequently...

this country is at war with Germany.

You can imagine...

what a bitter blow it is to me -

It ain't exactly a bank holiday for us.

She's still afloat.

[Shorty] Yes, sir.

[Woman's Voice, Echoing] God bless this ship and all who sail in her.

God bless this ship and all who sail in her.

♪♪ [Men Singing, Faint]

♪ O trinity of love and power ♪

♪ Our brethren shield in danger's hour ♪

♪ From rock and tempest, fire and foe ♪

♪ Protect them wheresoe'er they go ♪

♪ Thus evermore shall rise to thee ♪

♪ Glad hymns of praise from land and sea ♪

♪ Amen ♪♪

Let us pray.

O eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the heavens...

and rulest the raging of the sea...

who has compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end...

be pleased to receive into thy almighty and most gracious protection...

the persons of us, thy servants, and the fleet in which we serve.

Preserve us from the dangers of the sea and from the violence of the enemy...

that we may be a safeguard unto our most gracious sovereign, Lord...

King George and his dominions...

and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions...

that the inhabitants of our island may, in peace and quietness, serve thee, our God...

and that we may return in safety...

to enjoy the blessings of the land with the fruits of our labors...

and with a thankful remembrance of thy mercies...

to praise and glorify thy holy name.

Through Jesus Christ, our Lord -

[All] Amen.

We will now sing the carol on the back of the hymn card.

- ♪♪ [Organ] - [Men Coughing]

♪ Good King Wenceslas looked out ♪

♪ On the feast of Stephen ♪

♪ When the snow lay round about ♪

♪ Deep and crisp and even ♪♪

♪ Brightly shone the moon that night ♪

♪ Though the frost was cruel ♪

♪ When a poor man came in sight ♪

♪ Gathering winter fuel ♪

♪ "Hither, page, and stand by me" - ♪♪

- [Whistling] - ♪♪ [Stops]

[People Laughing]

Them kids been at it all day. Beats me why their mothers let 'em do it.

- Oh, it's the Christmas spirit, Mum. - I'll give 'em Christmas spirit!

Coming home with their feet sopping, getting colds and giving them to everybody else.

Now then, Mother, this is the time for good will towards all men.

Can't have you grumbling just as if it was an ordinary day.

Me, grumble? I like that, I must say.

I remember in the last war spending Christmas in the Red Sea.

We was coming home from Aden. Hot! You could have fried an egg on the deck.

The Red Sea can be hot, all right. So can the Persian Gulf.

I was out there two years ago in the Worcestershire.

The fridge went wonky, and everything went bad, including the language.

Oh, dear!

You certainly see life in the big ships.

We don't do so badly in the small ones, you know.

[Woman] Oh, they're off again. Stop them, somebody.

I'm not starting anything.

But it's a damn sight more lively in a big cruiser than a destroyer.

- It stand to reason, don't it? - It don't do no such thing.

You're a marine, you are. You don't know nothing about destroyers.

What's the matter with the marines?

Well, Bert, I'm afraid I'll have to tell you.

Where would the navy be if it wasn't for the marines?

If there wasn't a navy, there wouldn't be no marines.

Oh, shut up, you two! Who cares anyway?

That's a nice way to talk, and no mistake - you, the mother of a sailor!

And the mother-in-law of a marine.

Pass the port wine and don't talk so silly. I'm as dry as a bone.

Mum's quite right. What's the sense in arguing?

We wasn't arguing. We was having a friendly discussion.

You'll be saying next it was a friendly discussion last night in The Green Man.

Why, you had the whole place in an uproar.

Bert, I give you a toast - the Royal Marines.

God bless 'em, and a happy Christmas to every man jack of 'em.

[All] The Royal Marines!

Thanks, Shorty, old man.

I'll respond to your toast in a fitting manner.

And on behalf of my corps, of which I am justly proud.

Hear! Hear!

I give you all destroyers and the Torrin in particular.

- May her shadow never grow less. - It never will.

Destroyers and the H.M.S. Torrin!

I should like to take the opportunity of this festive occasion...

to drink the healths of one and all present...

and to thank a kindly fate...

for so arranging that my ship should have to come home for boiler cleaning...

two days before Christmas -

a bit of luck which I think any sailor will tell you is little short of a bloody miracle.

Walter, how can you? You know I don't like you using that word.

Be that as it may, Kath, that's a highly expressive word.

And what's more, that's been bound up with naval tradition since times immemorial.

I have heard it whispered in the R.A.F.

Be that as it may, I would like to add that I consider we're all...

very lucky...

to be all together on this happy day...

taking into account the fact there's a war on...

and the whole of civilization happens to be trembling on the edge of an abyss.

There now.

- What did you say, Kath? - I only said, "There now."

Well, don't say it again, dear, 'cause you know it only puts me off.

[Snickering]

What are you giggling about, Freda, if I may make so bold?

Nothing really. It's just the way you talk.

What you young flibbertigibbets don't seem to realize is...

that this is a very important war indeed.

War or no war, you certainly like listening to the sound of your own voice, all right.

Let him get on with his speech, Kath.

Try and stop him.

I will treat these paltry interruptions with the contempt they deserve...

and go on to propose the health of one who's very dear to me.

She's a creature of many moods and fads and fancies.

She is, to coin a phrase...

very often uncertain and coy and hard to please.

But I am devoted to her with every fiber of my being...

and I hereby swear to be true to her in word and deed, so help me God.

Ladies and gentlemen, H.M.S. Torrin.

[All] H.M.S. Torrin.

[Taps Twice]

Ladies and gentlemen, the king.

[All] The king.

- We can smoke now, can't we, Robin dear? - Yes, of course.

You promised to pull the first one with me, Mummy.

Come on, Lavvy. Take a strong grip and pull.

Come on, old girl.

- Enjoying yourself? - Very, very much.

That cap's absolutely wizard. You ought to have a hat made like it.

Doesn't the tree look sweet? Alix and I spent hours fixing it.

This is the best Christmas I've ever had.

- Is it? - Yes.

Stop whispering, you two.

You know, Robin, you really oughtn't to have put them next to each other.

[Kinross] We ought to drink to them. Come on, everybody - to the newly betrothed.

[All] To the newly betrothed!

- What's "betrothed," Daddy? - The beginning of the end, my boy.

[Chuckling]

Well, on behalf of my fiancée and myself, thank you very kindly.

As Flags and Maureen are so bashful, I think it only right and proper...

that you should make a speech, Alix.

- Oh! No, honestly, I couldn't. Really, I couldn't. - Come on, Alix. I'll support you.

- Oh, Teddy, I'll never forgive you for this. - Speech. Come on.

Oh, dear. What am I to say?

- [Kinross] Happy Christmas! - Just you wait.

Come on now. Silence, everybody.

Her Worship the Lady Mayoress is about to declare the bazaar open.

Don't let him get you down, Alix.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'll begin by taking my husband's advice -

- [Kinross] Hooray! - And wishing you all a very happy Christmas.

I'm sure Elizabeth and June will back me up...

when I say I'm going to deliver...

on behalf of all wretched naval wives...

a word of warning to Maureen...

who's been unwise enough to decide to join our ranks.

[Women] Hear! Hear!

Dear Maureen, we all wish you every possible happiness...

but I think it only fair to tell you in advance exactly what you're in for.

Shame! Shame.

Speaking from bitter experience...

I can only say that the wife of a sailor is most profoundly to be pitied.

To begin with, her home life - what there is of it - has no stability whatever.

She can never really settle down.

She moves through a succession of other peoples' houses, flats and furnished rooms.

She finds herself having to grapple with domestic problems...

in Bermuda, Malta or Weymouth.

We will not deal with the question of pay.

- That is altogether too painful. - [Chuckling]

What we will deal with is the most important disillusionment of all, and that is -

[Kinross] Stop her, somebody! This is rank mutiny.

And that is that wherever she goes, there is always in her life...

a permanent and undefeated rival -

her husband's ship.

Whether it be a battleship or a sloop...

a submarine or a destroyer...

it holds first place in his heart.

It comes before wife, home, children, everything.

Some of us try to fight this and get badly mauled in the process.

Others, like myself...

resign themselves to the inevitable.

That is what you will have to do, my poor Maureen.

That is what we all have to do if we want any peace of mind at all.

Ladies and gentlemen...

I give you my rival.

It's extraordinary...

that anyone could be so fond...

and so proud...

of their most implacable enemy -

this ship.

God bless this ship...

and all who sail in her.

[Coughing]

Well, she did her stuff, sir.

[Coughing Continues]

Best ship I ever served in, sir.

[Man] That goes for me too, sir.

Makes one feel sort of lost, doesn't it?

A very happy and a very efficient ship, sir.

Thank you.

[Sniffles]

Better wipe your face, Edgecombe. You don't want to get that oil fuel in your eyes.

Aye, aye, sir.

Well, do you know what I'd like now?

- A nice hot cup of tea. - I'd like a nice beer myself.

Look out! Here come the bastards back again!

Keep your heads down. Get as low as you can.

- [Plane Passes] - [Machine Gun Fire]

Missed, butterfingers!

[Machine Gun Fire]

[Cries Out]

[Gasps, Coughing] Blimey. I spoke too soon.

Ow.

[Moans]

- [Screams] - Did it get you badly?

[Panting] Don't rightly know, sir.

Knife, somebody.

Cut his sleeve carefully.

Hit a mother with a baby in her arms, you would.

Oh, look, boys.

Shot through the heart.

I always did hate the sight of blood.

Piece of rag, somebody.

[Freda's Voice, Echoing] What's your name?

What's your name? What's your name?

What's your name? [Fades]

Quite a loving cup, isn't it?

You never know your luck. I always say travel broadens the mind.

Now then, saucy, you keep your hands to yourself.

- Want a drop, dear? - No, thanks.

- Come on. It won't hurt you. - I'd rather not, thanks all the same.

I don't like it.

Oh, fancy that now. Ever so sorry, I'm sure.

If she doesn't want it, she doesn't have to have it, does she?

Who do you think you are anyway, Father Flanagan?

Here, play a hymn. There's a dear.

I didn't know we was in Sunday School.

- [Men Laughing] - Some people don't know when they've had enough.

- What was that you said? - You heard. You ain't got cloth ears.

- Here, miss. You change places with me. - No, it's perfectly all right, really.

Come on. You'll be more comfortable in the corner.

I'd be ever so much obliged, I'm sure, if you'd change places with me too.

My mother always warned me never to sit next to sailors.

Pity she didn't warn you about a few other things while she was about it.

- [Man Laughing] - Shut up arguing, pal.

Here, have a fag. Life's too short.

[Men] ♪ If you were the only girl in the world ♪

♪ And I was the only boy ♪

♪ Nothing else would matter in the world today ♪

♪ We could go on loving ♪

- Comfy? - ♪ In the same old way ♪♪

Yes, thanks.

♪♪ [Continues]

What's your name?

Freda. Freda Lewis.

Freda? Oh, that's a pretty name, isn't it?

Is it?

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

Have one?

- I don't mind. - These are special. H.M. Ships only.

We get 'em in the canteen.

My uncle by marriage is in the navy. He's on a destroyer.

Isn't that a coincidence now? So am I.

Isn't it?

He's a petty officer. They call him by a funny name.

Yeah, we often call petty officers funny names.

- It begins with a "B." - It generally does.

[Giggling] Oh, you are awful.

What's his ship?

Well, I'm not supposed to tell you that now, am I? It's careless talk.

Here, you can tell me. I'm in the same firm, as you might say.

Well, chief buffer. That's what he's called.

He's on the Torrin.

Well, it's a small world, and no error.

Here, Joey. Our chief buffer's her uncle by marriage.

- Makes you sort of Siamese twins, doesn't it? - [Laughing]

This is my friend, Joey Mackeridge. Miss Lewis.

- How do you do? - Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.

What's your name?

- Funny us meeting like that, wasn't it? - Yes.

- Sort of... unexpected. - Yes.

That long train, all them people in it, and I had to pick on that one carriage.

- It's fate, I shouldn't wonder. - Yeah. I feel that way too.

Well, I suppose we ought really to be going now.

Yeah, I suppose we ought.

Your family will be wondering what's happened to you.

- Well, I'm wondering that myself. - How can you?

Does, uh - Does your aunt let you go out much?

Oh, yes, she doesn't mind, not so long as I don't get back too late.

What's the matter with tomorrow night then? Here. We might go to the old Palais de Danse.

- Do you like dancing? - Yes.

That's a date then. 6:30, under the clock, Victoria Station.

You don't waste much time, do you?

Well, I can't afford to. I've only got short weekend leave.

It's not very long, is it?

Well, here we are. Come in and meet my mum and dad.

Oh, no, not now. I'd really rather not. I've got to be getting along.

They wouldn't want a stranger butting in.

You're not a stranger - not anymore.

Ah, but to them I would be.

Give me that bag. There's a dear.

Not until you say it's okay about tomorrow night.

Oh, you are awful.

6:30, under the clock, Victoria Station.

All right.

Cross your heart and hope to die.

I cross my heart and hope to die.

So long, Freda.

So long, Shorty.

[Dishes Clattering]

[Whistles] Mum.

Shorty Blake!

Oh! You ought to be ashamed of yourself, and no mistake.

Your telegram only arrived half an hour ago.

You never said what time you was coming nor nothing.

Well, I'm here okay, aren't I? Sound in wind and limb. You can't grumble.

Oh, you bad boy, you!

May, Shorty's home!

Dad! Dad!

- Doesn't he look well? - How's the war going, Son?

- See any submarines? - Hundreds.

Sunk 14 last week and a couple of cruisers thrown in.

- [All Laughing] - Oh, Mum, he's fibbing, isn't he?

In the last war I was in a convoy once, and -

Put a sock in it, Fred.

We've had quite enough about all what you did in the last war.

- Dad. - Yes, old man?

Where'd you first meet Mum?

[Laughing] Oh! Why, whatever made you think of asking that?

We was in a train, coming back from Herne Bay.

Well, it's a small world, and no error.

Mum, can I leave my bridge out while Shorty's home?

It was fate, wasn't it?

You drink your tea up, me lad, and don't talk so soft.

- [Laughing] - [Mother Cackling]

- They're coming over again. - Get down. Keep your heads low!

[Machine Gun Fire]

[Plane Passes]

♪♪ ["Wedding March"]

Now, nice and still, everybody, please. Now, steady.

And nice smile.

[Sobbing]

It seems only yesterday he was in his pram.

Hold it!

- Good-bye now! - Good-bye, Shorty!

- Good-bye! Take care of yourself! - Son! Good luck, old man!

[All Chattering]

Good-bye, Shorty!

- [Cheering] - Good-bye, Kath!

- Oh! - [All Shouting]

Here's your little lot.

Now then. Cheerio, Mrs. Blake.

- Oh, it does sound funny, doesn't it? - You'll get used to it.

Oh, there's one thing I shall never get used to, and that's you going away all the time.

Well, it's your own fault for marrying a sailor.

That's fairly asking for trouble, that is. Can't trust any of 'em an inch.

Wives in every port, always coming home unexpected...

and catching you having tea with the lodger.

I'm the one that will be the lodger if I'm gonna live with Kath when you're at sea.

That isn't for a whole week yet. Think of it - seven whole days of glorious life.

- You'll like being with Kath, won't you? - Of course I shall.

It's just you being away and me wondering what's happening to you that I won't like.

Proceed with the following operations as ordered.

1. Give us a kiss. 2. Chuck us another of Mum's sandwiches.

3. Cheer up and remember this isn't a funeral, it's a honeymoon.

And 4. Give us another kiss. Now then, ship's company, shun!

[Laughing] Oh, leave off, Shorty! You're crushing me blouse.

- Someone will see us! - Who cares?

[Door Opens]

- Hello, Blake. What are you doing here? - I'm on my honeymoon, sir.

Well, that's splendid. Congratulations.

Thank you, sir. Uh, this is my wife, Mrs. Blake.

- How do you do? - Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.

Alix, come and meet one of my shipmates and his wife. They've just been married.

Ordinary Seaman Blake, Mrs. Blake, my wife.

- How do you do? - Thank you, ma'am.

- I hope you'll be very happy. - Thanks ever so.

We're old friends. He practically saved my life when I came on board the other day.

My foot slipped on the gangway, and I nearly as anything fell overboard.

- Do you remember? - Yes'm.

- Are you going to live in Plymouth? - Yes. That is, when he goes to sea again.

Chief Petty Officer Hardy's her uncle by marriage, sir...

so she's gonna live at their place for the duration, as you might say.

But we're, uh, spending the next few days in Torquay.

And very nice too.

Just you begin as you intend to go on, Mrs. Blake. Keep him in order.

My wife rules me with a rod of iron, and it's really been quite successful so far, hasn't it, darling?

Don't talk such nonsense. I'm never allowed to have my own way over anything.

Well, we won't interrupt you any longer. Don't forget - report him to me if he doesn't behave himself.

Good-bye, and very best of luck.

- Thanks very much. - Good-bye.

- Thank you. Good-bye for the present, sir. - Good-bye.

- Have a good time. Enjoy your leave. - Thank you, sir.

Coincidence about them going to Torquay for their honeymoon, wasn't it?

Yes. I thought about that at the time, but I didn't want to go on about it.

That first quarrel we had - Do you remember?

When you went stamping off to listen to the band all by yourself...

and came back in tears a half an hour later?

That was only because they were playing "The Blue Danube."

You know that always makes me feel sort of pent up and emotional.

That wasn't why you were in tears, and it's no use you pretending it was.

If I was in tears at all - which I hotly deny -

it was probably because that was the very first time I discovered...

what a horrible, disagreeable character you have.

Still, it was a good honeymoon, as honeymoons go.

It went awfully quickly.

♪♪ [Whistling "The Blue Danube"]

[Chuckling] Oh, stop it, Teddy.

I refuse to be made sentimental in the middle of a Great Western lunch.

Eat up your delicious piece of railway fish and behave yourself.

- Damn! - What's the matter?

That thing positively haunts me.

I'd have given my eyeteeth for a chance of a show like that.

Never mind, darling.

There'll be lots of other shows and lots of other chances before the war's over.

[Wind Whistling]

I believe some damned poet at some time or other wrote a very appealing little piece...

about "The tiny feet of the rain."

There's a man I'd like to meet. I'd kill him!

Well, I'm going down to the wardroom. Keep a stiff upper lip, old boy.

[Men Laughing]

Five on the six...

two on three... and 10.

Just what the doctor ordered.

The doctor hasn't ordered a damn thing apart from a few doses of cascara and one splint...

since the ship commissioned.

That, I may say, is what's getting the doctor down.

Years of expensive medical training...

resulting in complete atrophy.

The doctor wishes he was dead.

Someone give the doctor a drink.

- Mitchell, a glass of port for the doctor. - Thank you.

- [Mitchell] Yes, sir. - There - just the girl I wanted.

You do have the damndest luck.

Skill, old boy. Sheer, undiluted skill. The usual triumph of mind over matter.

- It's a stinking awful night. - Hello, No. 1.

Mitchell! A gin for the first lieutenant.

- Thanks, Torps. - Yes, sir.

The sea is getting up, and I've got the middle watch.

Hey, stop. You should put the 10 on the nine.

- I never noticed the damned thing. - Hmm.

Here's peace. Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away.

[Wind Whistling]

- Feeling all right, old man? - Yes. Why?

Sure there's nothing wrong? Not running a temperature or anything?

- No, of course not. - I only wondered.

First time you haven't been late for a watch since we commissioned.

- You're two minutes early. - I'm sorry, sir. It won't occur again, sir.

Bearing green 3-0. Vessel on fire.

[Bell Rings]

- Yes? - Captain, sir, vessel on fire, bearing green 3-0.

Press the alarm rattlers.

[Alarm Bell Ringing]

[Alarm Bell Continues Ringing]

Here. Come on.

I was dreaming I was in a Turkish harem surrounded by gorgeous girls...

and some fathead has to go and sound off action stations.

I wondered why you was pinching me.

[Alarm Bell Stops Ringing]

[Man Shouts, Indistinct]

Report through to T.S. When closed up and cleared away.

Looks like a line of destroyers.

Number one gun cleared away. Bore clear.

Number two gun cleared away. Bore clear.

Number three gun cleared away. Bore clear.

All guns closed up and cleared away. Communications tested, sir.

All quarters closed up to action stations, sir.

Very good. Open fire!

Open shutters. Star shell commence.

Open shutters! Star shell commence, commence, commence!

Well done, Guns. We've beat them to it.

[Ship's Guns Firing]

- [Alarm Blares] - [Explosion]

- [Explosion] - [Ship's Guns Continue Firing]

They've fired now!

[Snotty] Train right a little. Hold the leading destroyer.

Right four stars. Go on!

[Shell Streaking Overhead]

They've gone over!

[Ship's Guns Continue Firing, Faint]

[Explosion]

All right, gentlemen!

[Explosion]

[Men Shouting, Indistinct]

Go on! Shake it off!

Go on. Don't go to sleep down there! Come on!

[Explosion]

Let's go! Shake it off!

[Explosion]

- Layer on! - Trainer on!

- Left gun ready. - Right gun ready.

0-2-1-8 right.

- [Alarm Blares] - [Explosion]

We've hit. Keep it up!

- Stop star shell! - Stop star shell!

Star shell, check, check, check!

We've hit again!

[Explosions Continue]

[Ship's Guns Cease Firing]

Torpedo tracks starboard, sir.

Starboard. Midships. Close all watertight doors.

- Jettison top weight. - Aye, aye, sir.

- Keep those guns firing. - Aye, aye, sir.

Flags, use the box lamp. Make to Tremoyne, take over, continue chase.

- Aye, aye, sir. - The power's off, sir.

Number one and number two mountings, carry on firing!

[Guns] Number one and number two mountings, carry on firing!

[Explosion In Distance]

[Ship's Guns Resume Firing]

[Guns] Number one and number two mountings, carry on firing!

Number one and number two mountings, carry on firing!

[Explosion]

Number one mounting, carry on firing!

[Explosions Continue]

- Let me know when you're ready. - Trainer on!

Look out.

Here she comes.

- [Explosion] - [Loud Metal Clank]

What's the damage, No. 1?

Mess deck bulkheads are being shored up. It looks as if they'll be all right, sir.

But there's a good deal of damage aft.

Looks as if we'll be a nice sitting target when it gets light.

[Shouting] Is Captain D. Alive?

Yes, old chap. You haven't succeeded to the command of this flotilla yet.

- What did you do to Jerry? - Sunk one.

The rest escaped in a smoke screen, but one was badly damaged.

Not too bad.

- Tell Tancred to take me in tow. - Aye, aye, sir.

How far are we from home, Pilot?

About 120 miles, sir.

- Snotty. - Sir?

- Ask the first lieutenant if he's all ready to tow forward. - Aye, aye, sir.

We have got all the guns working in hand, sir.

Good. We shall need them, I expect.

Well, Blake - Don't move.

- How are you feeling? - Uh, fine, sir, thank you.

- Got concussed a bit, didn't you? - Y-Yes, sir. I think I did, sir.

The first lieutenant tells me you stood by the gun even when most of the crew were knocked out.

Is that true?

Well, sir, uh, somebody had to do it, sir.

You did damned well. I'm very proud of you.

- Thank you, sir. - [Muttering] I want to see my captain.

It's all right, old man. I'm here.

Don't try to talk. Just rest.

[Explosion]

[Ship's Guns Firing]

[Gunfire, Shellfire]

- Are the bulkheads holding all right, No. 1? - Yes, sir. They're taking it very well.

How far have we made good the last two days, Pilot?

We're about halfway there, sir.

[Seagull Squawking]

[Rifles Fire Single Shot]

The R.A.F. Ought to be here soon.

A nice, nippy little fighter squadron - neat but not gaudy - that's what we want.

- I wish they'd get a move on. - Give 'em time, old boy.

I'm sick of wallowing about here like a sitting duck. It gives me the jitters.

[Cheering]

Bravo!

[Cheering Continues]

Bravo! Hooray!

Hooray! Hooray!

Well done, sir! Bravo!

Bravo!

Make yourselves comfortable. We're all pretty tired.

There are one or two things I want to say to you.

First -

First, I want to tell you that I'll hold a short memorial service next Sunday...

for our 36 shipmates who lost their lives...

and return thanks that the old ship herself came safely through...

with so many of her complement.

I expect that Hitler is even now conferring the Iron Cross...

on the man who claims to have sunk us.

[Sailors Chuckling]

Secondly, I want to tell you that you all did pretty well in the trying time we've been through.

When a torpedo hits so small a ship as a destroyer...

the result is bound to be fairly devastating, if not fatal.

And I can understand the tremendous temptation...

to think of your own skin first and of the ship and your shipmates second.

I suppose in a way it's gratifying to feel that out of a ship's company of 244 men...

243 have behaved as I hoped and expected they would.

One man, however, did not.

That man has been brought before me charged with leaving his post without permission.

I needn't tell you how serious an offense of this nature is in time of war...

nor how drastic is the punishment that normally follows.

You will be surprised, therefore, to learn that I have let him off with a caution.

Or perhaps I should say with two cautions -

one to him and one to me.

For in a way I feel that what happened was my fault.

This man has only been in the navy for six months.

He has only been in this ship for two months.

Even so, I feel that in that time I should have been able to make it clear to him...

that I did not expect and would not tolerate such behavior.

I feel that I should have been able to get at least that much of my creed across.

But I have failed.

I will not punish a man for an action...

for which I must hold myself largely to blame.

But I should like you all to know that after this...

there will be no more cautions.

The next time we run into trouble -

and as leader of a striking force, this ship's bound to be in plenty more scraps -

I know that, come what may...

no one will fail to do his duty to the very end.

Thank you all for making my task so easy...

and the Torrin a ship to be so very proud of.

- Carry on, No. 1. - Aye, aye, sir.

Ship's company, shun!

[No. 1] Turn forward. Dismiss.

[Laughing, Chattering]

Look here. I've got to close up now. It's no use your staying on any longer.

You can't have any more to drink. It's after hours.

What's the matter with having some music?

If you've got a penny, you can have it. If you haven't, you can't.

I have.

Well, put it in the slot then. That's what it's there for.

I will.

[Penny Drops]

♪♪ [Player Piano: "Run, Rabbit, Run"]

Will you be requiring anything more before we close?

Look here, miss.

Judging by all I've had tonight, I ought to be drunk, see?

I want to be drunk.

I want to be drunk more than I've ever wanted anything in my whole life.

Who says sailors don't care?

♪♪ [Player Piano Continues, Fades]

- ♪♪ [Harmonica] - ♪♪ [Sailors Singing]

♪ He'll get by ♪

♪ Without his rabbit pie ♪

♪ Run, rabbit, run, rabbit ♪

♪ Run, run, run ♪

♪ Run, rabbit, run, rabbit ♪♪

- Play another tune, for God's sake. - ♪♪ [Stops]

Anything to oblige.

♪♪ [Blows Note]

[Spits]

♪♪ ["Roll Out The Barrel"]

[Sailors] ♪ Roll out the barrel ♪

♪ We'll have a barrel of fun ♪

♪ Roll out the barrel ♪

♪ We've got the blues on the run ♪

♪ Sing boom-ta-ra-ra ♪

♪ We'll have a bowl of good cheer ♪

♪♪ [Fades]

- ♪♪ [Orchestra] - ♪♪ [Woman Singing]

♪ For the gang's all here ♪

Now all together, boys!

♪ Roll out the barrel ♪

♪ We'll have a barrel of fun ♪

♪ Roll out the barrel ♪

♪ We've got the blues on the run ♪

♪ Zing, boom, tararrel ♪

♪ Sing out a song of good cheer ♪

♪ Now's the time to roll the barrel ♪

♪ For the gang's all here ♪♪

[Audience Cheering]

Bravo! Bravo!

[No Audible Dialogue]

Well, good-bye, Walter.

Good-bye, Freda. Don't go overexerting yourself now.

- Cheerio, Kath. - Be good.

Go on, Freda. Go on up to the gate with him. I'll wait here.

You shouldn't have come really, you know. It's bad for you.

Oh, no, don't be silly. It'd be much worse sitting at home.

Besides, we've had extra half-hour together.

It doesn't seem so bad this time somehow.

[Sniffles] Perhaps I'm getting used to it.

Come on. Give us a kiss and hop it. No sense hanging about.

All right.

Now then, none of that.

Go on. Be a good boy. Don't get your feet wet.

I won't forget about having the mower mended.

That's right. And if things do get bad, you can always go to Dorothy's, can't you?

They'll have to be good and bad before I do that.

- All right, obstinate. Cheerio! - Cheerio!

You can take all your Packards and Cadillacs and you know what you can do with them.

Give me a Rolls-Royce every time.

You're old-fashioned. That's what you are. Time marches on, you know.

- What does the king have? - A Daimler.

I suppose you think that's old-fashioned too.

Well, so it is, compared to your snappy 1940 Packard.

You couldn't have the king whizzing along the streets in a flash roadster, could you?

Who said anything about roadsters?

I said before, and I'll say it again -

there isn't nothing on land or sea to touch a good old conservative British make.

Give me a Daimler every time.

You wanted a Rolls-Royce just now. You can't have both, you know.

- Looks like profiteering. - Now look here, old man -

- Oh, give it a rest, will ya! - I will.

- [Sailors Chattering] - How do you spell "porpoise"?

P-O-R-P-O-U-S, I suppose. Why?

I was trying to explain to my missus we've been escorting a convoy of them.

Anybody seen the chief after the royal raspberry he got this morning?

- Poor old Chiefy. - He hasn't been in to lunch yet.

[Chuckles] Oh! Hello, Chief. We were just talking about you.

- Damned nice of you, I'm sure. - Been making any more filthy vapors?

You shut up, Guns. I've had enough of all that.

Oh, I thought it looked very attractive...

all those clouds of dense, black smoke belching from the funnel!

- I'll thank you all to lay off it. - Never mind, Chiefy.

I must say, old Tremoyne went one better round about 10:00. I thought she was on fire.

- Bring me some food, Mitchell. - Yes, sir.

Have your sparkers picked up any tidbits about the war?

No, not since yesterday. Pretty bad show.

My young brother's in the B.E.F. He wasn't far from G.H.Q. In Arras.

- God knows where he is now. - The whole thing's been a lash-up.

Now, you probably all know what we've got to do, don't you?

The whole of the British expeditionary force is falling back on Dunkirk.

Now, in peace time, as you know, there's a lot of leg-pulling between the services...

but the soldiers are our brothers in arms...

and it's up to us to get them off so that they can live to fight again.

Let them see how much we admire the way they've fought...

and don't forget - the success of our evacuation...

is measured by the smallness of the military casualties, not the naval ones.

The soldiers are our guests...

and their lives will be in our hands.

[Bombs Whistling]

- [Explosion] - [Gunfire]

[Soldiers Murmuring]

- [Bomb Whistling] - [Plane Passing]

- [Explosion] - Gangway, please.

Gangway. Here we are. Here we are.

Excuse me. Excuse me. Mind your backs.

Here you are. It's wet and warm. Don't examine it too closely.

- Hold on, Johnny. Hold on. - [Soldiers Chattering]

Here you are, mate. Try dipping the biscuit in the cocoa.

You can't hurt the cocoa, and you can save your teeth.

Here you are, chum. The champagne'll be along in a minute. That'll be hot too.

Come on, Joey. Up this way. Mind your backs, please.

A woman's work is never done. Here you are, mate.

- [Explosion, Distant] - Comin' up. Here you are.

- Here, don't you want none? - I can't hold it, son. Me hand's gone wonky.

Oh, half a mo'. Here, Joey, give us a couple of them biscuits.

- Yeah, here you are. - [Distant Explosions Continue]

[Ship's Guns Firing]

Here, don't gulp it now. You'll choke yourself.

- Thanks, son. - [Plane Passing]

- [Bomb Whistling] - [Explosion]

[Mouths Word]

- [Gunfire Continues] - [Explosions Continue]

Why did we never think of this for elevenses in the mess, Jasper? It's damned good.

It's just ordinary Bovril rather heavily laced with sherry.

[Explosion]

- 4-20. - [Alarm Whooping]

How's the old country looking now, sir? I feel as if I've been away for years.

We've been away quite a while too.

We put in up north every now and again to refuel.

The country was looking much the same as usual the last time I saw it.

Gentle, you know. Not exactly smug. Not exactly warlike either.

- There'll always be an England, eh? - I suppose that's as good a conviction as any.

Good deal better than most, if I may say so, sir.

- [Explosions, Gunfire Continue] - Huh?

A good deal better than most, if I may say so, sir!

- [Plane Passing] - [Bomb Whistling]

- [Explosion] - Here are you, chum. It's a nice cup of cocoa.

Want a biscuit?

Go on. Leave it. He might fancy it later.

[Sighs] I never thought I'd be so glad to see a cup of cocoa.

That's right. Have another go. Come on.

Come on, chum. It's better with your boots off.

Cor, what a swallow. You're lovely. Have some more.

[Explosion]

We're getting quite close. Good old white cliffs of Dover.

Look better with the sun on 'em. Still, can't have everything, I suppose.

- Damned lucky to see them at all, sir. - Quite right, Jasper.

I haven't had a chance to thank you for all you've done for us, Kinross.

The navy's put up a fine show. I hope you don't think we're not grateful.

Perhaps you'd care to dine one night when you get a spot of leave.

- Thanks. I'd love to. - Good.

We'd better get below, Jasper, start lining up the troops.

I expect you'll be wanting to push off again as soon as possible.

- Yes. You've struck rather a busy day. - [Chuckles] Well, good-bye for the present.

Good-bye. Forgive me for not coming down with you.

- Good-bye, sir. Thanks very much. - Good-bye. Good luck.

Just ordinary Bovril and sherry.

Just ordinary Bovril and sherry.

Good. Thanks.

[Officer Whistles]

♪♪ [Recording: March]

♪♪ [Recording: March Continues]

Battalion, sling your arms!

Battalion, shun!

Move to the left in threes!

Left turn!

By the right! Quick, march!

Left, right, left, right.

March! March!

If I wasn't so tired I'd give them a cheer, and that's no error.

♪♪ [Recording: March Continues]

♪♪ [Ends]

Ready to slip, No. 1?

All ready, sir.

Let it go, aft.

Hold on to your spring, forward.

Slow ahead starboard, Pilot.

[Seagulls Cawing]

You'd never think there was a war on, would you?

But there isn't. Not just for a minute, that is.

- We've got five more whole days. - Mmm.

Flat calm.

Looks like a piece of gray silk, don't it?

My auntie had a dress that color once. She sent it to the cleaners, and it come back all spotty.

Funny to think this is such a little island, isn't it?

Mmm.

♪♪ [Dramatic]

♪♪ [Continues]

He's got France now, and France is only 20 miles from England.

Makes you think, don't it?

[Planes Droning]

Mummy, Trafalgar won't eat sausage roll.

That's probably because you've spoiled him so dreadfully.

Look, Bobby. That one diving is a Hurricane.

[Machine Gun Fire]

No, it isn't, Dad. It's an ME-109, like the one they brought down last Tuesday.

Bobby, don't speak with your mouth full.

What a perfectly lovely day it's been.

Lovely for us, I mean.

- I suppose that's very selfish of me, isn't it? - Extremely.

I can't believe it's so dreadfully wrong to forget the war now and again.

When one can, just for a little.

I think it's very clever of you...

with all hell breaking loose immediately over our defenseless heads.

I made the most tremendous effort and pretended it wasn't real at all...

that they were toys having a mock battle just to keep us amused.

That's a most shameful confession - sheer escapism.

I don't care.

It has been a lovely day.

Sun's been shining, and the country looks so green and sweet and peaceful.

And you are on leave, even if it's only till the day after tomorrow.

Teddy, I wonder where we shall all be this time next year.

A lot might happen between now and this time next year.

[Whistle Blowing]

Take care of yourself, my darling.

It was a good honeymoon while it lasted.

[Man Whistling]

"Tweedledee smiled gently and began again.

The sun was shining on the sea, shining with all his might.

He did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright."

[Explosions]

This cocoa gets thicker and thicker every night.

It's warming anyhow, sir. Lines the stomach, as you might say.

It's practically porridge!

[Planes Droning]

There goes another lot, sir.

Looks as if poor old Plymouth's going to get it again.

Well, I will say one thing for that bit of fish.

There may not have been much of it, but what there was was tasty.

It's that Mr. Morgan - he always favors us. It's Freda that gets round him.

The moment we got in the shop this morning, up he come with a chair, as if we was royalty.

Oh, he's all right, if only he wasn't quite so nosy.

- How are you feeling, dear? - Fine, thank you.

That letter from Shorty must have cheered you up.

Oh, I wish he was home.

And I wish that ship would get a bit damaged - not so that anyone was hurt, mind you, but...

well, just so's he could get a little bit of leave.

Never mind, dear.

Men must work and women must weep. That's what I always say.

That sink's stopped up again. It never rains but it pours.

We'd better get Mr. Luton in.

He was blitzed out last week. Don't know where he's moved to.

- Anybody seen my scissors? - Yes, I've got them. Here they are.

- Thanks, dear. - [Air Raid Sirens Blaring]

Oh! Here they are again!

Bit later than they were last night.

[Sirens Continue Blaring]

[Sirens Getting Louder]

Wish you'd go down to the shelter, Freda.

Oh, please don't start all that again, Auntie. You know I hate being shut up down there.

It makes me feel sick.

I'd much rather stay up here. I would really.

But in your condition, dear, I honestly think -

[Kath] It's no use, Mother. Why don't you leave her alone.

It's all very fine, you being so calm and collected.

But I'll tell you one thing here and now -

My nerves won't stand much more of this night after night, and that's the truth.

You can go down to the shelter if you want to. Nobody's stopping you.

Try as I may, I can't understand why you won't shut up the house and evacuate.

- Told you why till I'm blue in the face. - [Explosion, Distant]

[Running Footsteps]

Well, you could go away somewhere quiet.

Seems just plain silly to sit here and ask for it.

Could go away! Where, I should like to know?

Well, there's Dorothy, for a start.

- She's got a spare room. - Thank you for nothing. I've slept in it.

It may be a bit poky, but it's safe.

Now, once and for all, Mother, will you do me a favor and shut up about this?

I've told you how I feel, and that's that.

This is Walter's home, see, and he expects to find me in it when he comes back on leave.

What do you suppose he'd think if he turned up unexpected one day...

and found the house locked up and me hiding somewhere in the country?

Might only have a few hours. That would be a nice thing, wouldn't it?

Well, you could let him know where we were, couldn't you?

Oh, it's "we" now, is it? I thought there was a catch in it.

Kathleen Hardy, how can you say such a thing to your own mother?

- [Bomb Whistling] - [Explosions]

I'm sorry, but you make me tired sometimes. Really, you do.

I'm sure I'm only trying to be sensible.

What about the garden, and Walter's bulbs that he's so proud of? Who'd look after them?

Oh, bulbs don't need any looking after.

- They just come up. - [Explosions Continue]

[Bomb Whistling]

- [Explosion, Louder] - Come on, Freda.

Under the stairs you go. Your chair's all ready for you.

- I'm all right here, Kath. I am really. - Never mind about that.

Just do as you're told. There's a good girl.

We'll leave the door open like we did before so you won't feel lonely.

- Oh, Kath. - Come on. I'll bring your sewing.

- The light's quite good in the hall. - [Explosions Continue]

[Projectile Sailing]

[Loud Explosion]

[Mother] Oh, dear, that sounds like a land mine!

[Kath] No, just an ordinary H.E. Land mines make more of a rumble!

[Explosions Continue]

I don't like it, Kathleen. It's no use pretending I do.

I know you don't, Mother. Nobody does.

But there's no use in making a fuss, is there?

Cheer up. There's a dear.

Are you all right, Freda?

Yes, thanks.

If you're cold, I can run up and get you an eiderdown.

I'm quite warm.

[Kath] We'll have some tea in a minute anyway, just to keep us going.

[Bombs Whistling, Loud]

[Loud Explosion, Crashing]

[Plane Droning]

Right you are. Back. Carefully, now.

Whoa. Back. Slow.

Whoa. Whoa.

[Planes Continue Droning, Distant]

[Explosions, Distant]

Tell Walter -

[Explosions Continue, Distant]

Tell him I didn't want to leave the house.

[Footsteps]

Nurse.

Nurse?

Is it all over?

Yes, dear. It's all over.

Don't worry.

Mother and child are doing well.

[Whimpering]

[Air Raid Sirens Blaring, Distant]

[Sailors Chattering]

This is the fourth time in three months we've put in to this dead-and-alive hole.

Don't worry, Cook. We'll be off again tonight, I shouldn't wonder.

I know. I know. There's no need to rub it in. But I'm chock-a-block with this place.

Well, where could you go if you could get ashore?

Look at it.

Nought but sheep and seagulls. Not even a tree.

What do you expect in the north of Scotland, a blinkin' casino?

There must be one bottle of beer somewhere in Scotland - just one wonderful bottle of beer.

Well, here comes Posty anyway.

Edgecombe. Black.

Here you are, Shorty. Hollett.

Stick it on the table, will you? My hands are wet.

- Jordan. Fisher. - I expect it's a bill from my tailor.

- Mackeridge. - Only one?

That's right.

It's from me young sister.

After months of mucking about in the North ruddy Sea...

all I get's a letter from me young sister.

- Ah, shut up grumbling for a bit, can't you? - Cheer up. It may be bad news.

- Oh, dear. More trouble. - What's up?

Some fathead left the lid off the coalhole, and my old woman fell down it.

[Sailors Laughing]

Joey!

Joey! It's come!

The baby's come! It weighs seven pounds, and it's a boy!

Here, listen to what she says: "It was born in the middle of a blitz."

What's the matter?

Kath Hardy.

Kath and her mother.

- The whole house went, and they got killed. - [Hollett] Mrs. Hardy?

Yeah. My missus was living with them, you know.

I wonder if anybody's told him.

They hadn't got any kids, had they?

No, they ain't got no kids.

Well...

suppose I'd better go and see if I can find him.

[Sailor Whistling]

Hello, Shorty.

I, uh, just popped along to see if you'd had any news from home.

Not so much as a postcard. But that's Kath all over.

All the years we've been married, I've never known her get a post right yet.

- You heard from Freda? - Yeah.

How's she doing?

She's all right.

Why, what's the matter?

It's Kath, Walter.

She and Mrs. Lemmon.

You see, uh, they was all in the house together and...

it got blitzed.

What do you mean?

Kath got killed.

Both of 'em did.

Freda was all right. She, uh -

She was under the stairs.

Oh, I see.

So, uh...

I thought I'd better come along and tell you, s-seeing that -

Thanks, son. I'm - I'm much obliged.

I - I'm much obliged.

I think I'll just go out on deck for a bit.

Right-o.

- I'm glad Freda's all right. - Yeah, she - she's fine.

We, uh -

We got a son.

I'm glad.

Congratulations.

[Seagulls Cawing]

She's going, sir.

Three cheers for the ship!

- Hip! Hip! - [All] Hooray!

Hip, hip!

[All] Hooray!

- [Plane Approaching] - Hip, hip - Look out! They're coming again!

[Machine Gun Fire]

[Plane Passing]

[Plane Approaching]

[Machine Gun Fire]

[Plane Passing]

Dark object floating off starboard bow, sir. Looks like a raft.

You're right, yeoman. Stand by to pick up survivors.

Aye, aye, sir.

[Coughing]

[Kinross] Keep up your spirits. I believe they've arrived at last.

[All Shouting]

- [Cheering, Laughing] - [Torps] Looks like one of the old flotilla!

- ♪♪ [Harmonica] - ♪ Roll out the barrel ♪

♪ We'll have a barrel of fun ♪

- Pull! Come on! - ♪ Roll out the barrel ♪

- ♪ We've got the blues on the run ♪♪ - [Shouting, Cheering]

- [Cheering, Shouting Continue] - [Alarm Whooping]

Bravo! Bravo!

Thank you.

- I'm damned glad to see you, sir. - Thanks, No. 1.

The captain sends his compliments and hopes you're all right, sir.

Fine, thank you.

Tell him from me, I warned him. He won't get command of this flotilla yet.

The most extraordinary bit of luck finding you, sir.

Chief yeoman spotted you at the last moment, just as we were about to give up.

- How many of my men have you picked up? - Ninety all told, sir.

- Some of them are rather badly knocked about. - Where are they?

Mostly between decks, sir. The dive bombing's pretty incessant.

[Alarm Bell Ringing]

Here we go again. Anybody got any flit?

Anybody happen to know where we're going?

Alexandria, I expect.

[Chuckles] Join the navy and see the world.

Looks to me as though it's going to be the next world.

[Ship's Guns Firing]

It's all right. Don't move.

- [Machine Gun Fire] - [Bombs Whistling]

[Explosion]

[Ship's Guns Continue Firing]

- Glad you're okay, sir. - Thanks, Fisher.

We were getting a bit worried about you, sir.

Nothing like a good swim before breakfast.

- That's right, sir. - Glad to see you, Scott.

Snotty, give me a piece of paper and a pencil.

All right.

It's... number... 17...

just as you turn out of - turn out of the High Street.

All right. I've got the address straight.

I'll let her know.

Thank you, sir.

[Intermittent Explosions]

Hello, Sundet.

[Whispering, Inaudible]

Try it a little louder, son. I can't quite hear.

[Stammering]

24... Gr -

Greek Street.

All right. Don't worry.

I'll write and tell them they can be proud of you.

- [Explosions Continue] - [Ship's Guns Firing]

- [Bomb Whistling] - [Plane Passing]

[Explosion]

Of all the persistent bastards.

You'd think they'd get tired, wouldn't you?

I'll tell you something, strictly between you and I -

I'm scared stiff, and it's no good pretending I'm not.

If I could be at a gun or something, I shouldn't mind.

But this sitting about and asking for it is beginning to get me down.

- Brace up. Remember Nelson. - Yeah. Look what happened to him!

[Sailors Laughing]

- [Bomb Whistling] - [Explosion]

♪♪ [Piano: Dance Hall]

[Doorbell Rings]

[Freda Sobbing]

- [Doorbell Ringing] - Oh, all right.

♪♪ [Piano Continues]

- Name of Blake? - Yes. My name is Blake.

- Here you are then. - Thanks.

[Gasping] There's no answer!

- [Sobbing Continues] - ♪♪ [Ends]

[Mrs. Blake] He's safe, Freda!

He's safe! He's all right! He's safe!

Safe, Freda! He's safe! He's all right!

He's safe!

- What's is it? He's not - - It's from him.

He's sent a telegram. It's from him himself.

He's all right. My boy's all right.

But the ship went down, didn't it?

- It said so in the papers. - Look.

♪♪ [Piano Resumes]

"Okay. Love -"

[Sobbing]

There, there, dear.

There isn't nothing to cry about no more.

- Shall I wait for an answer? - Oh.

Just a minute. I'll see.

Can we go down to village after tea, Mummy?

- I want to go on my bicycle. - I want to go on my bicycle too.

- You can't. You've got a flat tire. - But I'm going to pump it up again.

The girl's waiting for an answer, ma'am.

There's no answer.

Tell Mrs. Bates and John it's from the captain and everything's all right.

I'm so glad, ma'am.

Thank you, Emily.

Darlings, it's from Daddy.

He was picked up and taken to Alexandria.

He's quite safe.

- Oh, Mummy! Mummy! Mummy! - Mummy! Mummy!

[Chattering]

Ship's company, shun!

- Ship's company present, sir. - Thank you. Torps. Stand them easy, please.

Ship's company, stand at ease.

Stand easy.

Come a little closer.

I have come to say good-bye to the few of you who are left.

We've had so many talks, and this is our last.

I've always tried to crack a joke or two before...

and you've all been friendly and laughed at them.

But today...

I'm afraid I've run out of jokes...

and I don't suppose any of us feels much like laughing.

The Torrin has been in one scrap after another...

but even when we had men killed, the majority survived...

and brought the old ship back.

Now she lies in 1,500 fathoms...

and with her more than half our shipmates.

If they had to die, what a grand way to go...

for now they lie all together with the ship we loved...

and they're in very good company.

We've lost her, but they are still with her.

There may be less than half the Torrin left...

but I feel...

that we'll all take up the battle with even stronger heart.

Each of us knows twice as much about fighting...

and each of us has twice as good a reason to fight.

You will all be sent to replace men who've been killed in other ships...

and the next time you're in action...

remember the Torrin.

I should like to add...

that there isn't one of you...

that I wouldn't be proud...

and honored to serve with again.

Good-bye...

good luck...

and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Good-bye.

It was a pleasure.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Hecht.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Rawlings.

Good-bye.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye.

- Best of luck, sir. - Thanks, Harris. Good-bye.

- Best of luck, sir. - Thanks. Good-bye.

Good-bye, sir.

- Good-bye, sir. Bless you. - Good-bye. Thank you.

- Good luck, sir. - Thanks. Good-bye.

- Best of luck, sir. - Thank you. Good-bye.

Good-bye, sir. Very best of luck.

- Thanks, Roche. Good-bye. - Thank you, sir.

- Very best of luck, sir. - Thanks. Good-bye.

Good-bye, sir.

Good-bye, Fisher.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Moran.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Hollett.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Edgecombe.

Good-bye, sir. Bon voyage.

Thanks, Brodie.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Mackeridge.

- Good luck, sir. - Thanks, Blake.

- Good-bye. - Good-bye, sir.

- Good-bye, sir. - Good-bye, Hardy.

[Man Narrating] Here ends the story of a ship.

But there will always be other ships...

for we are an island race.

Through all our centuries, the sea has ruled our destiny.

There will always be other ships and men to sail in them.

It is these men, in peace or war...

to whom we owe so much.

Above all victories, beyond all loss...

in spite of changing values in a changing world...

they give to us, their countrymen...

eternal and indomitable pride.

[Crowd Cheering]

Open fire!

[Man Narrating] God bless our ships...

and all who sail in them.