All language subtitles for The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960).eng

If you
remember Pearl Harbour,

you'll recall that in
the year that followed,

the Japanese were almost invincible.

Early in 1943, however, they were checked,

stopped cold by the
Marines at Guadal Canal,

the Navy in the Coral Sea,

and the allied armies in New Guinea.

This was a period of
far reaching decisions,

desperate strategies, and
incredibly daring counter strokes,

not the least of which involved

two bright, young Naval officers.

This bold, slightly improbable adventure

began with a message authorised

by the commanding general,
South West Pacific area,

and flashed by top priority
to the lone carrier on patrol

in the Coral Sea.

It was an urgent request
for a particularly

qualified young officer
to lead an extremely

delicate mission.

It demanded a man, a
man of executive ability

and high intelligence,

and that innate quality that enables a man

to swiftly estimate a situation
and make a wise decision.

In bestowing that most
thrilling of all awards,

an officer's first command,

the Navy knew it had a man
that would ask no questions

and offer no excuses.

He would carry out orders regardless

of what obstacles fate put in his path.

Well.

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

Lieutenant Rip Crandall was on his way

to a secret anchorage, a hidden harbour,

so shrouded in mystery

that it was known only as

somewhere in the south pacific.

Here, the US 7th Fleet,
Victors of the Coral Sea,

drowsed at anchor, licking their wounds,

and dreaming of the great battles to come.

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

Here, somewhere among the
flotillas of destroyers,

their vital supply and repair ships,

among stalwart battle waggons
of the Nevada class, carriers,

deadly cruisers of the Boise class,

escorts, and tenders of all classes,

he found the ship of his dreams,

the Echo, in, well, a class by itself.

While at first glance,
it might have looked like.

England's reply to the Boston Tea Party,

it had nevertheless had
a distinguished career

in the corporate trade.

The Navy had not only
gratefully received it

from New Zealand as a sort
of reversed lend-lease,

but had taken great pains
to man it with a picked

crew of specialists,

dedicated, highly-skilled seamen

who chafed at inactivity here in this

quiet backwater far from the battle lines,

and awaited only the
arrival of their commander

to swing into action.

Start!

Bring that gear aboard.

Welcome aboard, sir.

What? Belay that racket!

You want the whole...

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

Honours for the prospective
commanding officer, sir.

The officer of the deck
of the ship in commission

shall see that all honours and ceremonies-

- This hulk is commissioned, as what?

It's unclassified, sir.

I can believe that.

Duck!

- Sorry, sir.
- All right,

bear all hands, there,
let's get that thing

in port and secure it!

Johnson?

Yes, sir?

I'm sorry, sir, but
we've only been aboard

a couple of hours.

Uh-huh, how many men
have you lost so far?

Well, none, sir, just
a few cuts and bruises.

Oh, don't forget Miller, sir.

Oh, yeah, Yeoman Miller, sir.

Transferred to the hospital ship.

Oh, he's a real nut, sir.

I told him to look out for the hatch,

and he thought I wanted a match, and...

Thanks, Johnson, you can take
this man below and show him

where to stow his gear.

All right, sir.

Listen, mister, what
is all this malarkey

about this ship being commissioned?

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

and signed over to you.

The papers are in your stateroom, sir.

My what?

Your cabin, you can go right ahead,

I'll bring your gear along.

Yes, just leave it there.

Sir...

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

You gotta watch it.

What did you say your name was?

Tommy.

Oh, sorry, sir, Hanson, sir.

Hanson Thomas J.

Sit down.

My name is Crandall, Rip Crandall.

Oh, I know that, I'd have recognised

even if they hadn't told me.

You know me from some place?

Oh, Balboa, The California Yacht Club.

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

Well, what did you do?

Crew for me? Or...

Well, I tried to, sir.

You're not the kid that
fouled up the Genoa Jib?

Oh, gee.

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

Didn't I chase you up the mast?

Yes, sir.

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

Boot, that was nice.

You were right, sir.

I nearly wrecked your ship.

But I've studied a lot about
sailing ever since, sir.

That's why I volunteered.

You volunteered, what, for this?

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

and when Commander Vandewater
told me about this-

- Vandewater?

Not, Wilbur Vandewater?

Gee, I don't know,
kind of slim, blond hair.

And a blackguard Nazi!

Ooh, that, no-

- Sir?
- What does he do here?

Flight secretary to the Admiral.

Yes, flight... He would be.

You have to take him
those clearance papers

when you've signed them.

This ship's not officially
yours until you do.

It isn't, huh?

You're right, it isn't.

Well, I'll get the
ship's boat in the water

- so you can take it.
- Yeah, do that, Bill,

Tommy, wait a minute,

have you got a copy of the
Navy rights around here?

In the top left hand drawer, sir.

Thank you.

Anything wrong?

No, do everything by the book, you know.

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

Ah, the gaff...

Chief.

Watch...

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

The main boom.

Oh, yeah, sorry, sir.

Mr. Hanson has been teaching us.

The gaff is the...

The spar that, on this
ship, you would bend the head

of the foresail to, you
didn't make your rate in sail?

No, sir, but do you
think any of the rest

of these clowns know anything about...

Beg pardon, sir.

My last hitch was on the
tender alongside, sir.

And you volunteered to...

In a manner of speaking, yes.

That is, no, sir.

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

Else what?

Chief Svenson started his 5th hitch.

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

and I figured a party is no good without,

well, entertainment,

and they got this girl
dancer at the tavern.

I see.

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

Only-

- Only it's wartime, and
unauthorised civilian personnel

are not allowed on Naval installations.

Particularly tenders, the skipper said.

So he gave me my choice of
bein' busted or grabbin'

the first ship out.

So, you volunteered.

What, the first...

The first ship out?

That's what they said, sir.

I've got to get out of here, pardon me.

Sir!

All clear? Lower away together.

If you don't mind, sir, I'd just as soon

you didn't mention it to Mr. Hanson.

He really believes I did volunteer,

and he's kind of young
and eager, and, you know?

Let go of the after fall.

Let go the forward fall.

Chief, your secret
is safe with me because

I'm not gonna be around
to tell him anyway.

Leaving the ship.

I should have checked the caulking, sir.

It's okay, kid, it's nobody's fault.

Don't you worry about it.

But we'll get you ashore, sir.

- You will.
- Won't we, chief?

Yes, sir, right away, sir.

Horse, slack your stern line.

Shark bait, heave around on the bow.

Get that thing aboard.

He can handle anything, sir.

Yeah, I'm sure of that.

He can't wait till we get to sea.

Yeah, I'm sure of that too.

What's up, chief?

Brass, comin' through.

Right this way, sir.

Family entrance, huh?

Dock is on the port side, sir.

Show the captain the quartdeck, sailor.

Welcome aboard, sir.

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

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

Oh, he can do that blindfolded.

Yes, sir, but I don't
think he's going to.

He didn't take them papers, sir.

Well, he forgot them, he must have.

Well, he's got to sign
them, can I still catch him?

Sir, you get them papers.

I'll see that you catch him.

Ahoy, the weather deck!

What do you want, Jack?

A new rubber band for the engine?

Got a special delivery for
the dock, can you handle it?

Yeah, hey, folks, throw
the hook over the side.

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

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

Oh, yeah!

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

Okay, okay, let's go.

Easy, Leahy! Take it up!

Okay, folks, bring him up.

If you're lookin' for your brother, kid,

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

Oh, no, sir, it's me, sir, Tommy.

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

Oh, that chief.

He's just full of ideas, isn't he?

What's the rush?

I promised I'd meet some
guys at the officers' club

for dinner, I just thought
I'd walk in with you.

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

Well, yeah, but you
know, junior officers

have to get in and get out.

I was hopin' you might
have dinner with us.

I sure would like the fellows
to meet my new skipper.

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

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

Oh, yeah. I figured you forgot "em,

so I brought 'em along.

I guess you really didn't
forget 'em, did you?

You didn't really think I did, did you?

I know the ship doesn't
look like much, sir,

but it's no scow, and once
the men get to work on it,

you'd be surprised.

If it's on account of me, sir,

don't worry about that, you
can get another junior officer.

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

It's just that I don't wanna get stuck

on that ship, you see?

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

Oh, Tommy, if it was
the Vanderbilt Yacht,

I wouldn't want it, kid, I...

Look, do you see all those ships?

That's a fraction of what the
Japanese fleet looks like.

Now do you wanna go up
against that in the Echo?

Yeah, maybe you're right.

Yeah.

I guess I'll have to give these

to Commander Vandewater myself.

I'll give them to Vandewater.

I'll take care of him, where's his office?

Headquarters building,
behind the tug mooring, sir.

Thanks.

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

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

- Yes, sir.
- Okay.

How do we set up now, Maggie?

Corporal Hathaway's
office called at 17:00, sir.

Colonel Harris at 17:05.

Briefing's at 18:30.

That'll clear the deck, sir.

Fine.

Is Lieutenant Crandall still waiting?

Yes, sir.

But I'm sure he understands
that you have a full schedule,

and won't mind.

No, no, no, send him in, please.

Yes, sir.

Permission to secure at 18:00, sir?

Permission to...

Oh, sure, sure.

And, get me Admiral Hathaway, would you?

843.

Tell me, once you secure at 18:00,

what would you be doing, Maggie?

Keeping a date at 18:01.

With the base efficiency
expert, of course.

Of course.

Stone the crows.

Flag secretary returning
the admiral's call.

Oh, yes, sir, got it right here, sir.

Somewhere.

Hi, I'll be right with you.

Oh, yeah.

Sir? Oh, absolutely, sir.

19:00 in your quarters, sir, yes, sir.

19:00, 19:00.

What is 19:00, anyway?

7 o'clock, I might have known
you had your finger in this.

I'm all steamed up about my new command,

and I end up in a Chinese junk.

Huh, what are you talking about, Rip?

I thought you were at sea.

Oh, I was, and very
happy, until I get orders

transferring me to a grain barge

masquerading as a Navy vessel.

The U.S.S. Echo?

- Echo, Echo?
- Echo?

Say, is that the racing sloop-

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

Oh, well, I was hoping
you'd report here first

so that I-
You could con me into it?

She's a brute, isn't she?

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

But it's no joke, Rip.

This is an important assignment.

You're gettin' funnier by the minute.

Oh, I'm serious.

General Macarthur himself wants
her delivered to New Guinea.

Why, why?

You know, I asked him that same thing.

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

"Why do you want that old
hulk sail to New Guinea?"

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

Drop dead, what's Macarthur got to do

with the Navy, anyway?

Say, you have been at sea.

Well, let's just say that he mentioned it

to Admiral Hathaway, and Admiral Hathaway

suggested that I get with it or else,

and I, in turn-

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

Rip, I swear it, your name
popped out on the 1.B.M machine

with 5 or 6 other ex-yachtsmen.

None of whom I would trust with a canoe.

And if you don't think it's a favour...

I heard about your fitness report.

Oh, that popped up too, huh?

You should get your next
promotion around, oh, 1980.

Come on.

Now, look, all you got to do is slip up

inside the great barrier reef,
run across the Coral Sea,

and take her into Port Moresby.

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

- Enemy planes, enemy subs.

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

You beat me to Santa Barbara
once with 5 sea scouts.

But that's got nothing to do with this.

No, I picked you because
you're the only man I know

who can do the job.

Now I get it, now,
what, I sit on that bucket

for the duration?

Look, the ship's to be
turned over to the port's

attachment in Moresby.

What they're gonna do
with it, I don't know.

Anyway, that's their business.

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

You'll be flown back here for reassignment

the same day you drop the hook up there.

Now, why don't you just sign the papers

and get it over with.

Wait, a reassignment to what?

You'd have demonstrated
your fitness for command.

D maybe.

Maybe even a destroyer.

This is a chance half
the guys in the fleet

would give their eyeteeth for.

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

How much time do I have to train, Van?

Oh, a couple of days, maybe.

Or more, let's see, to be on water-

- Not a chance.

Now, look, Rip,

I don't wanna have to lean
on you, but if I have to-

- If you were to lean on
me, You'd have done it

when I first walked in.

I don't have to take that ship.

You don't have to face
a court martial, either.

Check your regulation,
it's a prospective

commanding officer must
first certify a ship

in proper condition-
That applies to assuming

command in a Naval shipyard.

Paragraph 1 does, paragraph
3 states elsewhere that-

- All right!

For a direct commission,
you got to be a sea lawyer

in a hell of a hurry.

My skipper had me memorise
a page every time I goofed.

Then you must know
the whole book by heart.

But Admiral Hathaway isn't that soft.

Good luck on your next duty.

Wait a minute, Van,

just give me 10 days to train.

Tell you what, give you an extra day.

That's impossible, and you know it.

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

Under the second officer, if necessary.

What the kid?

But that's insane, he couldn't.

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

Do I?

Well, maybe this will give it to him.

Did you talk him into it, sir?

No, but I got him worried.

Keep working on his conscience, mister.

Aye, aye, sir.

Kid, what's with you and Vandewater?

Oh, nothing, sir.

He just told me to stand by.

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

What are you doin' here, anyway?

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

I thought you not knowing the base,

I'd show you where it was.

I was hopin' you might
have dinner with us, sir.

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

Well, thanks.

The new orders, sir.

Does that mean you got the transfer?

He's gonna talk to the Admiral.

You'll get it.

What makes you say that?

With your experience and background,

they'll have to give you a command.

Good officers are scarce.

Command? If Admiral Dewey
was still runnin' the Navy,

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

Ironsides Hathaway is.

Well, where did you say
that Officers' Club was?

Over there, in back of the shelter.

I would like a double anything.

Yes, sir.

Oh, do you have any chit, sir?

Have to get it from the mess officer.

We're not allowed to take cash.

Here, sir, you can use mine.

I couldn't do that to you, too.

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

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

Lieutenant Crandall?

Oh, this is a real pleasure, sir.

There's nothing too good for you, sir.

Mr. Hanson was telling me you are going

to command the Echo, sir.

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

Well, if I were going
to command the Echo,

I doubt that we would
observe the cocktail hour.

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

Did 2 years as a deckhand
before the war, right, Arthur?

Oh, right, sir, the old
Escobar out of Frisco.

But, that was power.

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

Coming right up, gentlemen.

You know, once the
sea gets in your blood,

I guess you never get rid of it, huh, sir?

Tommy, the old Escobar out of Frisco

is the ferry to Oakland.

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

Yes, sir, sorry, sir.

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

No, I imagine they'll
find somebody, why?

Oh, no reason, sir.

I just thought with you in command,

I'd get real practical experience.

I've been studying up on
seamanship and navigation-

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

you and Vandewater cooked
this little thing up.

No, sir, not until I saw your name

on the orders this morning, sir.

No pretzels, then what
difference would it make

who got the assignment?

None, sir.

Except, I thought I'd try and show you

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

In Balboa.

Tommy, I told you before,
that was 5 years ago-

- Excuse me, sir.

The 2 gentlemen with the nurse
are waiting for you, sir.

Oh, thanks Arthur,
won't you join us, sir?

I told them about you, too.

Oh, I see, and you primed
them full of the salty talk

on how they were gonna sail with me, too.

What are you trying to...

I'm sorry, it's really nothing.

You know, I've got a lot on my mind.

It's been a tough
afternoon, you run along.

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

Yes, sir.

Arthur.

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

You're gonna freshen that up?

You can't fly on one wing, sir.

Thanks, Jimmy.

Oh, and don't bother to wait.

Yes, ma'am, thanks.

Let me through.

Pardon me, gentlemen.

Do one more, kid, I got
one that will stop you.

Okay.

Wonderful, wonderful,

wonderful, wonderful, boy.

Hey, Tommy, you're
magnificent, wonderful.

Hanson, you were the...

Where are you, wait a minute,
kid, where are you goin'?

We're just gettin' warmed up.

We really should get
back to the ship, sir.

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

Oh, yeah, you're right.

I'll just finish this.

There he comes, I love your work.

From the time we came
in here this afternoon,

this guy's kept my
glass filled with whisky

so you can Shanghai me.

Where did you get the we got

to go back to the ship business?

Were you gonna fill me with
the sauce and that fool?

No, sir, you left all
your gear over there.

And you haven't got a place to stay.

Until you're reassigned, I mean.

Oh, right,

I could stay at the
bachelor Officers' Quarters.

Yes, sir, I forgot.

I'll have them bring your gear over.

No, wait a minute, kid, I'm sorry.

I've been needlin' you all night long

and you haven't done
anything to deserve it.

It's just somethin' is eatin' me.

Look, just chalk it up to
the fact that I'm a heel,

and you're much better off
that I didn't take command.

No, I couldn't do that, sir.

You have to do what you think is right.

I'll have them bring your gear over.

No, uh...

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

Give me a chance to see the hulk again.

And you.

Oh, thank you, sir, goodnight, sir.

Take care of yourself, kid.

Miss typewriter of 1943.

What happened to your efficiency expert?

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

Never mind, old daddy's here.

Arthur! Arthur.

Old daddy's here.

Would you bring this girl
something, tall and cool?

If you don't mind, Lieutenant,

I'm looking for an Ensign Hanson.

He was your date?

That boy gets around
better than I thought.

This is official Navy business, sir.

I have some documents which
must be signed by 23:00.

Oh, there you go with
those numbers again.

Ensign Hanson just left, ma'am.

But if you'd like, I
could try and catch him.

He left in a fast jeep, what documents?

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

And in connection with Engsign
Hanson's ship, the Echo.

I see, well, at the moment,
I'm still under orders

to take command.

And if you don't mind,
anything concerning the Echo

also concerns me.

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

Arthur! The wine.

Here we are, open for business.

Let's see the papers.

I understood you were
to be reassigned, sir.

I don't think I should.

I haven't been reassigned yet.

Common, give me the papers.

I Just wanna see what kind of a swindle.

Vandewater's trying to pull, now come on.

This has nothing to do
with Commander Vandewater.

And I don't think Admiral Hathaway

would appreciate your terminology.

They're the acceptance
papers from the Echo.

The Admiral wants them signed tonight.

By Ensign Hanson?

By Ensign Hanson.

If you really need him,
miss, his ship's just down

at the end of the dock, I can
send a fellow over for him.

Arthur, you're a little over-trained.

If you're not careful, I
may have you transferred

to the Echo.

Yes, sir, sorry, sir.

He did it, he wasn't bluffing.

I think that Admiral will have
his grandmother made skipper.

Are they all in order, sir?

Right now, they're the fine print.

In that case, you
can't have any objection

to Ensign Hanson signing them.

Where did you say his ship is?

Bye, Arthur.

Bye, sir.

Now, Lieutenant, look, I told you,

the Admiral wants those papers signed by-

- They will be, got a pen?

Yes, sir.

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

I know that, give me the pen.

Well.

Gosh, Lieutenant.

After the way you behaved this afternoon,

I wouldn't have thought a team of horses

could've gotten you on that ship.

Oh, shut up.

Well, mission accomplished.

Good work, Hanson.

Yes, sir, thank you, sir.

I guess, good night.

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

I'm sorry, chief.

Good morning, sir.

Beautiful morning, Captain.

Horse.

You might have better luck...

Chief.

You might have better
luck with that thing

if you laid the gasket on the boom first.

Yes, sir, lay the...

Gasket.

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

Yes, sir.

Your coffee, sir.

Oh, thank you.

What was in that?

There was an egg, sir.

And Mr. Han...

Well, I thought it'd
settle the ground, sir.

Something wrong with it?

Yeah, I thought I swallowed my tongue.

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

not a raw egg in the cup.

What were you before
you entered the service?

Well, I was a cook, sir.

I've been one for years.

I'll have another cup, with grounds.

Yes, sir.

Shackle the foresheet to the traveller.

Good morning, sir.

This to that.

This is supposed to be the winch?

Huh? Oh, I beg your pardon, sir.

- Winch?
- Yeah.

Oh, no, sir, this is a spark plug, sir.

I was talking about the engine itself.

This is the power take-off?

Well, beats me, sir.

Mr. Hanson just told me to get it runnin'.

I see, well, what's your name?

Sparks, sir.

Radioman 2nd Class, sir.

Yes, all radiomen are called Sparks.

I mean, what is your actual name?

Well, that's it, sir.

A.J. Sparks JR.

Funny, ain't it?

I mean, being named Sparks
and making radioman.

It's very...

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

I wrote my old man about it.

And he's A.J. Sparks Senior.

But he darn near died laughing.

It's a fortunate thing he didn't.

Ship rigged and ready, sir.

Request permission to
send watch to breakfast.

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

The foresail?

Yes, sir, Chief!

Set the foresail.

Aye, aye, sir.

Stand by to set the foresail!

Hey, chief, get a load of this.

Man the fore halyards.

Man the fore halyards!

Stand by the foresheets.

Stand by the foresheets!

Take this line and
wrap it a couple of times

around the winch.

Get that line ready for running.

Come on, get that other line clear.

Stand by to hoist away.

All hands, stand by to hoist away!

All hands, stand by to sink.

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

Sir, the winch is still being repaired.

Shall we take it up manually?

No, have the men stand
down, I wanna talk to them.

Stand down.

Sir.

Stand easy.

That was pretty miserable, wasn't it?

No reason why it shouldn't be.

With the exception of
Mr. Hanson and myself,

none of you knows the
slightest thing about sailing.

Nobody expects you to.

However, this ship sails for
New Guinea Friday morning.

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

sharply and efficiently could cost any

or all of you your lives.

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

But you are all Navy men.

If you're willing to work 18 hours a day

for the next 3 days, I
think I can teach you

enough to get by on.

But if you can't cut it,

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

of the rest of the members of this crew,

then put in for a transfer, and now.

There's no disgrace to it.

I'll be in my quarters for the next hour

if anyone wants to see me.

That's all, dismissed.

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

Let the men decide this for themselves.

What do we do if they all quit?

- Hello, Johnson.
- Yes, sir.

You didn't eat very much, sir.

I wasn't very hungry.

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

Men eat yet?

Oh, yes, sir, they ate real good.

Kind of quiet, but real quick.

What do you mean, quiet?

Well, sir, a couple of
them said somethin' about

seein' Mr. Hanson and the chief.

They wanted to see Hanson and the...

Upper shroud,
lower shroud, topping lift.

Upper shroud, lower shroud, topping lift.

Jibstay, forestay, foremast, stow.

How about that?

Don't knock it, it works.

Gaff, foresail, gasket.

Gaff, foresail, gasket.

Callahan, standing or running rigging?

Blue standing, red running...

Running rigging, chief.

Chain or halyard? You.

Sheets, trims, sails, halyards, hoists.

Halyard, chief.

Which one?

I don't know.

They'll know it by tomorrow, sir.

Sir, with your permission,
the crew would like to take

another run at setting the foresail.

Very well.

Okay, chief.

Aye, aye, sir, stand
by to hoist the foresail!

Shark bait, throw up the...

- Gaskets.
- Gaskets.

Horse, stand by the foresheet.

Halyards to the winch!

Come on, you told me you were
gonna get that thing working.

Sure, when do you want it for?

Now, you idiot, you think you're

back in that service station?

Take up the slack.

Set the foresail, chief.

Aye, aye, sir.

Stand by the main sail, engage the winch.

- Spark!
- I'm tryin'!

Hoist away!

Take it easy, you'll rip the mast off!

Slack it easy.

It's stuck. Heave!

It's stuck, sir.

- It's stuck, sir.
- Yeah.

Did you grease the mast?

Well, that's all it needs.

Don't worry about it,
you better bring it down.

Okay, slack it off and lower away.

Slack off and lower away!

It's still stuck, you better
get a man up on the rig

and kick the gaff jaws loose.

I'll go myself, sir.

One volunteer, you.

There's nothin' to it, sailor.

Yeah, well, why don't you go?

Move.

Can't we talk this over, chief?

He's scared to death, sir.

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

Come on, boy, there's nothin' to it.

You'll be all right, son,

just take one step at a time, okay?

Take it easy, now don't look down!

Close your eyes.

Now when you open them,
look straight ahead.

That's a boy, just keep your eyes level

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

That's it, sailor, now go ahead.

Now I want you to go on up

until you are level with the gaff jaws.

You know what they are?

Yeah.

All right, when you get
there, and when you're ready,

just reach out and see
if you can kick them free

with your foot, you understand?

That's the boy, now when you feel it,

I want you to reach out
with your right foot

and kick the gaff jaws loose.

That's it, reach out.

Don't look down!

Now Kick it loose.

Hook your foot in the shroud.

I can't.

Take another turn around
that winch and hold it fast.

Take it easy, kid, I'm comin'.

I'm slippin', my hands are
slippin', I'm gonna fall.

Stop that!

Wanna land on someone?

Got you.

Move over with your left hand.

Oh, boy.

I would've fell.

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

Never.

Hang on, I'm goin' up to Kick that free.

Okay.

Hang on, kid, all right,
lower it away, Mr. Hanson.

It's free.

All right, lower away, chief.

Slow now, slow, slow.

Hold what you got.

Wait for me! Wait for me!

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

That's my ship.

Wait a minute, boy,
what you got in the bag?

Oh, for pete's sake, I'm gonna miss it.

It's got, it's leavin'.

He's afraid of missing that?

Wait for me!

Hey, wait, come back, wait for me!

I made it.

Yeah, nice goin', sailor.

Now, bear a hand on the bow line.

We're just coming into the dock.

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

He's a nut, but he's eager.

Well, here goes nothin'.

You'll be back before you know it.

Just be sure I am.

The order's on my desk now.

See that they get processed,
will you, beautiful?

Just pop them into that
little IBM machine.

I'll square things with
you when I see you again

next Friday night.

Are we getting an
IBM machine, Commander?

Oh, my, that'd be wonderful.

Yes, we might, we might.

Well, good luck, old boy.

Good landing, mister, you
can take her on out now.

Aye, aye, sir.

Stand by the line.

Not now, Johnson.

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

Aye, aye, sir.

Come left, mister.

I said, come left, mister,
you're cuttin' across the bow.

It's no use, sir, she
won't answer the helm.

What do you... Did you
drop the centerboard?

Get up there and do it!

Go down and give me full speed astern.

Sparks, back full quick!

Back full, sir.

Not another one!

Come on with that centerboard!

Come on, you monster.

Centerboard down and locked, sir.

Full speed astern, sir.

Full speed ahead!

Full speed ahead!

Right, sir, full ahead, sir!

Mister, will you get
a helmsman on that wheel

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

Yes?

Shall I notify the Admiral's office

of the time of departure, sir?

Yes, please, Maggie.

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

to be on the lookout
for a ship in distress.

Now what?

I think that Australian
ship's saluting us, sir.

Well, why not?

They always cheered the Christians

before they threw them to the lions.

Are you getting the sail up?

- Yes, sir.
- I'll be right up.

He's off to port.

He's off to port.

He's off to port.

Sparks, kill that eggbeater.

Yes, sir!

Hey, what are you doing here?

Thought you left an hour ago.

Well, the weather report said winds

up to hurricane force in the coral sea.

I just thought you might have a message.

From that little boat, I mean.

Ship.

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

Say, you're really worried.

Did you fall for that wild man?

Oh, no.

Mind you, he was kind of cute.

Well, don't worry about him.

The rougher it is, the better he likes it.

He's having a ball out there.

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

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

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

Yes, sir?

Get this from the files
immediately, please.

Now, then, what's the report on that,

schooner we sent to Moresby last week?

The...

Echo, sir.

Well, she rode out a storm Tuesday night

and was sighted from the air yesterday.

From the position report, I imagine

they'll raze the New Guinea coast-

- Don't guess, commander, I wanna know.

That ship is a vital
part of joint operations.

- The Echo, sir?
- The Echo.

And what do you know about
an officer named Foster?

Lieutenant. Dennis M. Foster.

Why, nothing, sir.

Should I, sir?

Well, he's been
assigned to take the Echo

to Cape Gloucester.

Cape Gloucester on New Britain, sir?

But that's enemy territory.

Very good, Vandewater.

It also happens to be an
excellent place to watch

Japanese ship movements.

And for the past 6 or 7 months,

the Australians have had
a coast watcher in there

doing just that.

Then, 2 weeks ago, in the
middle of a transmission,

he went off the air.

Killed? Taken prisoner, sir?

I don't know.

But that's why the Echo
was sent to Moresby.

On a faint chance that it
could take in a replacement

if everything else failed.

Well, a sub couldn't
drop the man off at night?

What do you think
the spearfish was doing

in the Solomon Sea last week?

Unchartered reefs will make it impossible

to get anywhere near the coast.

Well-

- And an air drop is out of the question.

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

The Australian replacement
is back in Moresby

waiting for the ship to arrive.

And as soon as it does,
this man Foster is supposed

to take command and
try and make the run up

to Cape Gloucester.

I'd feel better if I knew more about him.

It's a ticklish job.

And I'd better get
Lieutenant Foster's file

out immediately, sir.

I've got it right here.

Well, he seems to be qualified,

and Captain Mcclung picked him.

He commands port detachment of Moresby

and ought to know what he's doing.

He wants to hold Lieutenant
Crandall for a couple of days

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

Tell him he can have Lieutenant Crandall

for as long as he likes.

Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Foster will not
relieve Lieutenant Crandall

until, in the opinion of the port captain,

Lieutenant Foster is fully
qualified to command the Echo.

Now, that means I can hold Crandall here

for as long as I like, Pat.

That make you any happier about Foster?

I've got nothing against the bloke, Mac.

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

He's a good officer.

The best, a real sterling character.

But if you can have this
Crandall bloke for as long

as you want, why can't he stay in command?

Because his job is to
acquaint Foster with the Echo,

that's why.

Of course, we could
try sending you in again

in another sub.

Now, wait a minute.

I'm crazy about Foster.

Where is that Flamin' ship, anyway?

Simmer down, Pat.

She'll be along.

On deck!

What's that?

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

Nan, Easy, Roger, King.

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

I was afraid of that, a tub.

All right, contact
and please pass the word

to stand by for special instructions.

Aye, aye, sir.

That's it, sir, there's a
building at the shore end.

That must be the port detachment.

Oh, fine.

Sparks, ready on the engine.

Some navigation, mister.

Have the bo'sun stand by to down sail.

Sir! Sir!

What's the trouble?

I wish I knew, sir, I
just can't get it started.

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

Now, I'm going through the fuel lines.

Can we take her in under canvas, sir?

Hardly any room to manoeuvre in there.

We'd really be goin' in in style.

In style? Well, as long as
we don't end up in the beach.

Sparks, how long is it gonna
take you to fix that thing?

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

We're under orders to
get in as fast as possible.

Get with it.

Tommy you better wipe
that grin off your face.

This isn't as easy as it looks.

Keep the deck, hold that
beacon in your port bow

till I give the order to
come about, hold this.

There's no reason to
get excited about this.

It's a tricky manoeuvre, but
if you handle your duties

as well as you've been
doing the last few days,

we'll be all right.

There's one thing and it's very important.

We're going to be on the
wind when we fetch that dock.

That means I'm going to
have to come up fast,

lose way, and try to coast alongside.

Do you understand?

Now the minute we start to luff-

- That's when the sails flap?

The sails flap, that's right.

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

You got it?

Mister, stand by to come about.

Man the sheets.

Keep a close haul.

Tell the man up the
crosstrees to keep his eye

on the gaff jaws, I don't
want 'em stickin' again.

Aye, aye, sir.

Hey guys, keep your eye on the...

Somebody's firing at us.

Over us, so far.

What did we do, lose the war already?

Sparks!

Who's responsible for
firing on that ship?

I was only tryin' to warn them, sir.

They're not acknowledging our transmission

and haven't been briefed
on harbour defences.

She's already in the harbour!

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

They'll be coming about any minute.

Get down on that blinker and warn him off.

Yes, sir.

Sparks, where are you?

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

Never mind the engine,
get the transmitter.

I wanna know who fired on us and why.

I'm sorry, sir, I can't do that either.

The transmitter doesn't
put on without the engine.

- Sir!
- What?

There's a flashing light on the dock.

Take out the hand blinker.

Stand by to come about.

Aye, aye, sir.

All hands stand by to heave to.

What's the matter with those guys?

They're goin' right into it.

Got 'em now, sir.

Well, tell 'em.

What do you got?

You are

approaching.

Cancel it, they are already in it.

Tell "em quick.

Cancelled, restart, sir.

For heaven's sake, all
they're telling us is

we're approaching a Navy dock.

You are in a.

F-I,

fine

area, isn't that nice?

You're in a fine area,

must be the Chamber of Commerce.

- What are they talkin' about?
- Excuse me, sir.

That f was an m, sir.

An m, well, that's different.

And I'm sure you are in a mine area.

A mine areal!

Get directions, quick!

Lookout, keep your eyes
peeled for submerged objects.

There's something there now, sir!

Dead ahead!

There they are!

Two of them! Dead ahead, sir!

Orderly!

Another one, sir, off the port bow.

Man the back stage.

Go forward, get that centerboard up.

Centerboard up? She
won't answer the helm, sir.

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

They request we move in shore, sir.

Get back to that engine, quick.

Centerboard up and secured, sir.

Another one off the port bow, sir!

Another one at starboard.

They're out of it.

Tell them they're in the clear.

We're all clear, sir.

Roger.

On deck!

Low waters ahead, sir.

Lower away all sails, Tommy.

Drop that centerboard.

Sparks, put it forward.

Lower away all sails!

Come on, let's get this down.

The gaff jaws are stuck again.

Hey, kick that gaff jaw free.

Centerboard down, sir.

Right!

You monster, come about.

Sir, we're closing on the dock.

What? Back full, sparks!

Well, sir, we're gonna ram the dock.

No, we're not, go forward
and get ready to let go

of the anchor in the starboard.

Aye, sir.

Johnson, bear a hand on the anchor.

Cameo, grab that line, stop it up short.

Tend that line.

Sparks, I said back full!

Excuse me, sir, she quit on me again.

Oh, go forward and rig the
fenders on the port side.

Shark bait, let go of the
anchor and hold it under foot.

Man overboard!

Well, look out below!

Nice work, mister.

What did you say, sir?

I said very nice.

Is that all for this performance

or have you got an encore?

I'm sorry, Lieutenant,
this is a centerboard ship-

- A ship?

Why, I was under the impression
that it was a U.S.O. tour.

This is an official Navy ship, sir.

The crew is doin' the best they could

under the circumstances.

This crew is doing the best they can?

Well, mister, I suggest
you take this crew out

for about 6 months.

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

This is my ship.

Anything this crew does,
they do under my orders.

And I suggest to you if you
have any further remarks

about this ship or my crew,

you come aboard and make 'em to me.

Throw the sails.

Astern to.

Well, thank you for
your invitation, captain.

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

Whatever I have to say to this crew,

I'll say to them directly.

You're taking over?

Just as soon as you report your arrival

to the port captain.

And I would be obliged if you do that

as quickly as possible.

Furl the sails.

Excellent, lieutenant.

At ease, please.

Yes, sir.

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

Thank you, sir, I had a remarkable crew.

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

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

Mission?

Well, you don't think we
brought that ship up here

just for the ride?

Oh, I'm sorry, lieutenant.

The mission is top secret.

Naturally, you weren't informed, were you?

No, sir.

Come here.

Temporarily, the ship is
being placed at the disposal

of the Air Force.

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

here on Cape Gloucester.

In New Britains? With the Echo?

Yeah.

They seem to think if she's disguised

as a Navy training craft,
that she has a chance.

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

Camouflaging it.

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

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

No, sir.

You've met your replacement,
Lieutenant Foster?

Yes, sir.

Ah, fine.

I have Admiral Hathaway's
permission to hold you here

until you can familiarise
Foster with Echo.

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

- Oh, that's all right, I
imagine it would take some time

for the men to get used to a new skipper.

Well, it won't take more than 48 hours.

Lieutenant, I don't suppose you would be-

- Sir?

Yes, Davis, what is it?

Air Force reports enemy bombers
over the Solomon Sea, sir.

They expect a raid in 20 to 25 minutes.

Mr. Patterson and the native
corporal have already gone

to the briefing room, sir.

Shall I ask them to
wait for the all clear?

No, the lieutenant and I
will be over there directly.

Yes, sir.

Warn Echo, tell those Air
Force people to clear the dock.

Yes, sir.

They're goin' up to make the intercept.

Our C.I.C. room's over here.

Bogie one appears to be splitting.

Designated raids.

- One abel and one baker.
- One baker.

05543.

We know there's a convoy
building up here at Rabaul.

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

run along the north coast of New Britain

and land troops either here at Madang,

or down here at Lae.

Lae, Mac, they'll land at Lae.

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

We also know that they'll be making

a grave tactical error Mr.
Patterson, that's right.

No Navy man would risk putting ships

through narrow straits like that.

Why, they'd be a sitting
duck during an aerial attack.

Isn't that right, sir?

Oh, absolutely, lieutenant.

What Patterson is thinking of, though,

is this weather front that's moving in

from the Central Pacific.

By the end of the week,
this whole area will be

socked in so tight,
there won't be any chance

for aerial observation.

That's why it's so vital
to get Pat in there

to take the place of that coast watcher

who disappeared.

Tom Evans, wasn't that his name, Pat?

Yeah.

And then we can hope, with Pat's help,

to get a visual sighting from the land.

Mmm-hmm, would it be
too difficult to drop

Mr. Patterson and the
corporal by parachute?

If you ask me, sport,
it'd be flamin' impossible.

I'd as soon go in with a brass band

and a neon light on my hat.

Besides, I don't like aeroplanes.

Or air raids, either, goodbye, all.

Oh, stick around a few minutes, Pat.

They'll be concentrating
on the air strips, anyway.

Yeah, and they might miss, too.

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

If it weren't for him and
the rest of the Australian

coast watchers who hid in the jungle

when the Japanese occupied these islands,

we'd be in a bad way.

Both here and in the south.

Patterson and that Navy corporal of his

have spent the last 6 months
right here in the hills,

constantly in danger
from Japanese patrols.

And just as constantly sending
us our vital information.

So don't you...

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

One baker, 050.

One baker should be overhead
in about 2 minutes, sir.

Very well.

Now, you'll have air cover
as far as the Trobriand here.

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

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

That'll be 2, maybe 3
days, right, Crandall?

Oh, I'm sorry, sir, this is
the first time that my crew's

been under fire.

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

No, sir.

Let me see, 3 days, you say?

Well, if you took off from here at dusk,

and you were sharp on
celestial navigation,

it could be 2 nights and a day.

Foster's a qualified navigator.

Thank you, sir.

You have a few days to acquaint him with

the ship's peculiarities.

That won't be necessary, sir, thank you.

Well, if this weather
front does move down,

you'll have to do some
dead reckoning, lieutenant.

Why don't you let me worry
about that, lieutenant?

Pardon me, sir, if they're
swinging in over the harbour,

everybody but the duty section

should be in the slit trenches.

What?

Your own orders, sir.

Welcome to the club.

Where's he going?

To be with his ship, I imagine.

Quite a bag, that Crandall.

Duck!

The port captain's here, skipper.

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

Yes, sir, I thought maybe
we could run up the coast

for a couple of miles.

I might show the lieutenant
how the ship handles.

Well, lieutenant, That
won't be possible now.

The size of that air raid
indicates the Japanese

are building up to something.

Air Force wants Echo
underway as soon as possible.

I see, sir.

Forster, get underway as soon as

you've accomplished the transfer.

Aye, sir.

Lieutenant, bring your
papers to my office.

We'll see about arranging
air transportation for you

back to Australia.

Yes, sir.

Oh, after you, captain.

Yes, come in, Crandall.

What're you doing here, Foster?

Why aren't you underway?

Sir, I request you to
order Lieutenant Crandall

to turn over the Echo to
me without further delay.

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

Sir, he's getting underway.

He is?

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

Sir, he must be.

No, really?

He's taking it out himself, sir, see?

Yes, he is, isn't he?

My ship in that minefield again.

Oh, he knows where those mines are now.

Well, aren't you going
to order him back, sir?

Oh, the Air Force would
demand an explanation

for the delay, and-

- Sir, this is a court-martial offence.

What, lieutenant?

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

Yes, I guess you're right.

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

For as long as I needed him.

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

If he ever comes back from that mission,

I'll consider a court-martial.

Yes, sir.

This channel of yours is
less than 100 feet wide.

Is that the only break in the reef?

The only one I know of, sport,

and I've covered over 100 miles of it.

On deck!

What is it?

Another enemy aircraft
on the starboard quarter

closing in on us, sir.

You better get below, sir.

Same orders stands, don't
fire unless they fire first!

Hold the fire.

A pleasure, creeps.

Blow a couple of gaskets!

Yeah.

Looks okay, sir, they're wavin' back.

Dogs.

Well, I hope that's the last of them.

This thing's really startin' to itch.

It is, with that
weather front comin' up,

be lucky to make home.

Flamin' shame if we didn't.

Run forward and tell cook to barbecue

some poultry for dinner, will you?

We need a decent meal for tonight's work.

We're gonna hit that
front in about one hour.

Now by midnight, it's gonna be darker

than 3 or 4 feet down a cow's throat.

How're we going to see the reef?

Nothin' to it, sport, you
can hear the surf poundin'

on the reef for miles.

Real fine, but how do we
know how much water's under us?

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

Don't you worry about it, sport.

I can take you through
there with my head in a bag.

Yeah, well, you may have to.

Yeah?

Well, thanks for trying anyhow, Major.

Yeah, I'll be seein' you sometime soon.

No, sir, he checked every squadron

that had a plane in the area today.

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

But that was at dawn this morning.

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

What happened to that observation flight

that was sent up from there?

Cancelled on account
of the weather, sir.

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

Oh, if we'd just gotten that
ship underway one day sooner.

Lower away all sails.

Sparks, standby the engine.

I want full power goin' over that reef.

Tommy, take the deck.

Where did you say
this inlet of yours was?

Straight ahead, through those trees.

Right.

At least the Air Force has been up here.

They sure worked that one over.

I guess so, sir.

Lead him.

Lead him.

I can take that teacup
right out of his dukes.

Well, don't.

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

Just keep your eye on
them, don't get itchy.

I thought you were gonna glide

through the jungle like a ghost.

This looks like Hannibal
crossing the alps.

Take off.

I'm going to be here a long time, sport.

I like my comfort now and then.

But you've enough for a hotel.

How far do the men have to lug this stuff?

The other side of that
little hill up there.

That's where I'll hide this stuff

until I'm ready to move on.

It'll take my men hours
to get up there and back.

What am I supposed to do?

Wait here like a sittin' duck?

Well, who's going to know?

You're tucked in here real nice and cosy.

The Japanese Navy out there,

they never spotted you, did they?

What's this outfit, where are you goin'?

You have to stay on the ship, sir.

There has to be an
officer with the patrol.

Why don't you let the kid go, skipper?

Give him a chance to stretch his legs

and have look at the countryside.

Hanson, come-

- Well, thanks for the boat ride.

I'll write and give regards
to Captain Mcclung and I.

No, thanks.

Don't worry about "em,
sir, I'll bring 'em back

safe and sound.

You better, or don't come back yourself.

On the bow.

Patterson, how do my men
find their way back here?

No problem, those masts of yours stick

up like a lighthouse in the fog.

Patterson!

Good on you, mate.

You, get out of here with those whites.

They'll spot you for 2 miles.

Come on.

Must have jumped him
without his knowing.

I'll have the boys dig a...

Leave him.

Leave everything just where it is.

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

He had no family that I know of, chief.

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

Lets go.

A little different up here.

It's beautiful.

It's hard to believe.

Your first stiff, kid?

Yeah.

Yeah, there'll be a lot more of them.

Not a cup of tea, this war.

Chief, Goroka will show you
where to dig my stuff in.

Well, you'll have no trouble
findin' your way back.

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

Will it give you away?

No, it grows over in a day.

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

You mean you're going to
stay down there in the jungle?

Till the Japs get me.

Or our blokes come down
and run 'em out of here.

Don't worry about it, lad.

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

But that don't mean I want
to stay here for ever.

So you do your best to
keep the Navy movin'.

Goroka, we go along now.

Stay awake.

I'm awake.

Hey, give me some air, will you?

Coffee, skipper.

Shark bait, secure that boom crutch.

I want to move fast when they get back.

Yes, sir.

Sir?

Sir, the crew will finish up.

There's nothing left but
pulling some brush over.

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

You went to the wrong school, sir.

Officers ain't supposed to work so hard.

I needed it.

Chief, chief, come here.

That's it, the Japanese convoy.

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

He's still down in the jungle.

He can't possibly see it.

Come on, we gotta get back to the ship.

All right, you guys, lets haul it.

Come on, lets go.

Get goin'.

Sir, so the war lasts 5 minutes longer.

Come on, it'll be dark in an hour.

Can I help you?

No, I'm all right.

Sir, I saw the mast,
it's right below us.

Go ahead.

Last time I ran like this,
4 M.P.S. were on my tail.

Rip, hey, Rip! Listen up!

Rip!

Rip!

Hey, wait a minute.

Hey, Rip, Rip?

Yeah, come in, kid.

We saw the convoy, it was...

Let him talk, lieutenant,
makes no difference now.

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

Bachelor of science in horticulture.

So, you saw a convoy, eh?

Move over there where I can watch you.

Not now, kid.

No, later.

As you were saying, you saw a convoy.

Where were you and what were
you doin' when you saw it?

My name is Thomas Hanson Ensign,

United States Naval Reserve.

No use, kid, the good captain was just

reminding me that Japan is not a signatory

of the Geneva Convention.

It really makes no difference.

We can classify you as a spy.

This is an aerial photograph
taken of this ship

in the Solomon Seas yesterday.

And you certainly weren't in uniform then.

Now shall we get back to
details of the mission?

Oh, come on, let's get
back to the rose bowl game.

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

Very educated man, the Major.

Really? I'm Stanford myself.

Oh, in that case, it'll be
my pleasure to assist the major

in his questioning.

Man, he's a big one,

I thought they were all little jokers.

Shut up.

What happened to you clowns? Asleep?

Come on, they were on us like tents.

We didn't have a chance.

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

Real brass.

Lay you 8 to 5 he braces the sargeant.

You'll rise when the major enters.

Oh, sure, we will, yeah.

You better.

Okay, hey, do me a favour, would you?

It's there, right there, that's it.

I Don't think they'd
look too good here with

the major comin' down.

Thank you.

Close the door.

I won't tell you anything more!

Of course.

Good boy, get the guns.

Get below, prime that crazy engine.

Give me back full when I yell.

You want these?

No, there's too many of them.

What're you going to do?

Like I knew, get on the engine!

Chief, look Aft.

Hey, sarge, didn't I
meet you in singapore once?

I remember, you used to hang
out at that high Kickers Club

in saigon, huh?

Duck!

Go, Tommy!

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

Sparks, on the engine.

Chief, drop the centerboard.

Give me full ahead, sparks.

Duck!

See if you can get that machine gun nest.

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

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

Oh, sorry, sir.

The engine flooded out
goin' over the reef.

Who needs it? Bos'n,
stand by to make sail.

Aye, aye, sir!

Give me a hand, get this overboard

so we can raise the main sail.

Sir, Port Moresby
trying to reach us, sir.

Good, kid, get on that thing
and tell him what you saw.

Well, I can't transfer
without the engine, sir.

Well, fix it.

Look out, Rip!

Don't shoot, don't shoot.

Keep goin'.

Rip, you all right?

Are you kidding? I can't...

Move, just make one little move.

Johnson, get the aid kit.

Let him handle it, sir.

Sir, sir, I can transmit now, sir.

We'll contact 'em.

If you do, you kill your captain...

Shut up, you crow.

What do you mean?

You're still within
range of the shore battery.

The second you start transmitting,

they'll blow you out of the water.

Surrender, your captain'll
be hospitalised.

We have excellent Japanese doctors and...

Sir.

Send it.

It's insane.

You'll all be killed.

Can you stand by and let them destroy you?

Let me plug him, sir.

Shut up.

Enemy convoy seen north
of Cape Gloucester.

What's the matter with
you, you got 4 thumbs?

I told you so.

At 1600, heading west.

Break out the life raft, chief.

Yes, sir.

Message received, sir.

Get that life raft over the side!

- How's he doin'?
- I'm okay,

let's get out of here.

We're hit in the forward hull.

We're takin' water fast.

You abandon ship.

Abandon ship!

Come on.

Where are you goin'?

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

You out of your mind?

He's got a pretty high fever, sir.

Can still fire flares.

Japanese nurses very good.

Look, one more crack out of
you and you're in the water.

Sir, I hear a plane.

There it is!

It's a PBY.

Looks like UCLA blew another one.

On this same
morning of March 3rd,

projecting the course of the enemy convoy

from the slim information received,

the allied forces in New Guinea

put every available aircraft in the air,

met the Japanese ships and their air cover

in the narrow straits between
New Guinea and New Britain,

and in a 2 day running battle

wreaked total destruction on it.

Of this little known yet
highly decisive battle,

General Douglas Macarthur said:

"The battle of the Bismarck Sea

"won a victory of such completeness

"as to assume the proportions

"of a major disaster to the enemy."

And so it is recorded in
the history of World War I'll.

Of considerably less importance,

yet of vital interest to us,

is the fact that 6 months later,

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

a newly promoted Lieutenant J.G.

pulled alongside his first command,

and prepared to take over.

Belay that racket.

You want the whole area to hear us?

As a matter of fact, sir, yes.

Stations for getting underway.

Weigh her the side!

Now what was this you said about

goin' ashore and speakin' to the Admiral?

You said you weren't interested

in any more special missions.

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