All language subtitles for The Hunley (1999) Armand Assante, Donald Sutherland [VHS.720x480.x264]

General Beauregard.

Get this to Dixon.

I never thought
it'd be like this.

It's like I don't know
myself anymore...

Without you.

I wish you could
say one thing to me.

Just tell me where you are.

How I can find you again.

Lieutenant?

Lieutenant Dixon?

Is there somethin'
I can do for you?

There's been an accident, sir.

And she sank under
the Indian Chief.

The crew? Drowned, sir.

Captain Hunley?

All hands lost, Lieutenant.

Are you a drinkin'
man? Uh, no, sir.

You stay here long
enough, son, and you will be.

This is the second crew that submersible
has dragged under, Lieutenant Dixon.

It is my fond hope that
you can provide me...

With some sort of explanation as to
what the hell was in Captain Hunley's mind.

I think he wanted to prove he
could pilot that thing himself, sir.

The only thing he proved is that
the damn boat is more dangerous
to us than it is to the enemy.

My goodness, there is
a fine figure of a woman.

The submarine boat works,
sir. Hunley made the mistake.

Yes. I think we are
safe going there.

- One hell of a mistake.
- We all make 'em, sir.

Please be assured...

I will not further damage
myself over this torpedo boat.

I must say, I do like a plump
woman from time to time.

Mrs. Driscoll, how do you
manage to stay so fresh and lovely,

even in this inclement weather?

Then again, slender women can
have their effect. Don't you agree?

With all due respect, sir,

without a miracle here,
Charleston's gonna fall.

It's only a matter of time.

That's what's gonna damage
you, sir, even more than Shiloh.

Ah! Oo-la-la.

You have a reputation of
being a man of few words, Dixon.

May I suggest you choose
them more carefully?

You very nearly made me angry.

The submarine boat's Charleston's
only chance, sir, and yours.

And then it will be yours too,
Dixon. Make no mistake about that.

I've known that
since I got here, sir.

What do they have to do,
did they say? I don't know.

Forward sea cock was open.

Captain Hunley must have
started his dive and didn't know it.

He flooded. Looks like someone
tried to release the keel ballast,

but the key wasn't
turned far enough.

Parks pumped his
ballast tank dry, and, uh--

I think Hunley was
trying to pump his out.

What do you think?
She seaworthy?

Repack the stuffing boxes.
She needs to be cleaned.

All right.

Let's get her ready by the end of
the week. We'll just raise another crew.

We'll take her out again.

Right.

Attention on deck!

We are here to recruit a new
crew for the C.S.S. Hunley.

Most of you probably seen this
boat pass right under your ship.

This is a divin' torpedo
boat. It's the first of its kind.

We tow a single torpedo.

We dive beneath an enemy ship,
we tow that torpedo into its hull.

Our purpose is to
attack from beneath,

and destroy as many federal ships as it
gonna take to break the blockade here.

I'm in command of the Hunley.

Lieutenant Alexander here come
from Mobile to be chief engineer.

I require seven more men.

I need men able to stand confined
places for long periods of time.

Able to work in intense heat and
sometimes darkness, but men without fear.

This is dangerous work.

This submane boat has
sunk twice while being tested.

Five men were killed when she went down
right here in Fort Johnson last summer.

As you know, eight men
drowned here just two weeks ago,

including Captain Hunley,

who helped finance
and design her.

I believe this is a safe
machine if it is well operated.

She is an unforgiving one as we.

Volunteers, one step forward.

Again, any volunteers?

One step forward.

I think you have your
answer, Lieutenant.

Is there anything
else I can do for you?

Tell me something, Lieutenant.

Why are you Army boys
tryin' to do a Navy man's job?

You wanna take
my place, Navy man?

No, thanks.

I do my fightin' on
the water, not under it.

Dismissed!

I'm sure it was something I ate.

Don't try that in a
submarine, whatever you do.

I beg your pardon, but I
am an experienced seaman.

Just because I--

Shelling Sumter again.

The federals got guns
on Morris Island now.

They're gettin'
closer all the time.

What do we do without a
crew, George? I'll get a crew.

Even if I have to go back to
Mobile, I'm gonna get a crew!

I hope you're not lookin' for
food, gentlemen. I hadn't had
anything fresh in weeks.

How 'bout a table and a bottle?

I think there's one back
there. Just gimme a minute.

You see the lights down on--

George! George!

My leg!

Mama!

This is a church!

It's a church, you
sons of bitches!

My husband!

My husband!

My husband!

My husband!

Mary! Mary! Mary!

Oh! Mary!

Oh! Oh, thank god.

I am in your debt, sir.

It's all over.

Come on, move.

Okay, let's go!

You think she's in one
piece? She'd better be.

It's amazing any of us are.

Oh, by the way, I've discovered
that being blown up is an
excellent cure for seasickness.

My God.

We heard you're
lookin' for a crew.

Is this it? Final?

I think these are the
best. You gotta tell me.

First, Frank Collins.

He's an irishman.
Hot-tempered kid.

Always lookin' for a fight.

He got no fear.
Thinks for himself.

He will not hesitate.

Carl Simkins? He
was born in Memphis.

He just got married.

Sends his wife a gift
every week he's in port.

That man is as dumb as dirt.

But he's strong as an
ox. He's loyal to the cause.

Arnold Becker. Barely
speaks above a whisper.

He's tryin' to teach himself French. That
man cannot shoot a gun to save his life.

Why are we interested? 'Cause at gettysburg
he killed himself two federal officers...

With his bare hands,
one right after the other.

His own commanding officer was so
scared of 'im, they put him out to sea.

Always good to have
a man not afraid to kill.

Uh, next is James Wicks.

He was a fisherman
before the war.

Born and raised on the
James River in Virginia.

He knows the water
like the back of his hand.

Charles Ridgeway, C.F.
Carlson and Patrick Miller.

Just boys, really,
but they're believers,

and they known each other
since they were schoolboys.

They lookin' to fight.

I say we start
trainin' tomorrow.

To the Hunley.

To victory. To home.

You've been chosen 'cause each of you
really have somethin' here we could use.

And each man now gonna be called on
to give his fullest measure to this boat...

And to each other.

This vessel is a privateer ship.

It's currently under the
command of the army...

And not the Navy.

And this is a volunteer
mission. You're not under orders.

You cannot be forced
to go on this mission.

Any man got any second
thoughts, you just speak up.

Nothin' ill will be
thought or spoken.

But I want you to know this--

once you step into my submarine,

you're mine.

Gonna be no goin' back.

All right. Any questions? Aye.

Are we gonna talk about it all
day, or get in the damn thing?

Come on.

I went to Oxford for this.

That's my place then, isn't it?

Okay, gentlemen, I'm
gonna say this once.

There is no margin
for error here.

Zero. just listen
up. Listen close.

Fore and aft you
gonna see ballast tanks.

To flood 'em you
open these sea cocks.

I'm the one to trim the
boat to a neutral buoyancy.

I use these levers here to control
the port and starboard diving planes.

We use a depth Gauge to
judge our depth once we're under.

We set our course by compass,

but we're in a metal
hull, so it's not accurate;

therefore, we must come
up and take a sighting by eye.

So you look above your heads
and you'll see stuffing boxes...

Through which we
run two snorkel tubes.

We're supposed to extend the tubes
when we're under to bring in fresh air.

They do not work. They never
have worked. Do not depend on them.

To bring in fresh air, we're
simply going to rise back to the
surface, pop open the hatches.

We have to be extremely careful
when the hatches are open, gentlemen.

We're a heavy boat, and even
the smallest amount of water
we take on can make us sink.

Below your feet, you're
gonna see ballast release bolts.

These bolts hold your
iron ballast to the bottom.

Now, if there's an emergency,
we got wrenches here. Hmm?

You simply unbolt, the release bolts will
drop the keel ballast, we'll come back up.

Now, I'll tell you what, Hunley and
his crew tried that when they sank.

Someone was not turnin' these
bolts far enough. We don't know why.

But the fact remains, someone...
did not pay attention to his task.

To surface, we pump out the ballast tanks
here with the force pumps, fore and aft;

and to move, gentlemen,
we are gonna crank.

We'll turn her slow.
We'll turn her fast.

Don't take it lightly.

This here's a form of art.

You gonna feel this boat respond to
you, and she gonna learn your touch.

I want you to learn her
the way you learn a woman,

and then she gonna go
wherever you ask her to go.

Every life depends on it.

Okay. Let's take her out.

All right, gentlemen,
we are diving.

Mr. Alexander, will you
show them how this is done?

My bloody hands are
bleedin'! Keep crankin', boy.

We clear the harbor
when we release it,

and then when it's
free-floating, the trick is--

Oh! Careful, gentlemen,
for god's sake.

Easy. Easy.

Now, all it takes is any
one of these triggers...

To come in contact with the hull
of the ship, and the torpedo blows.

We dive under an enemy ship,

and we have 150 feet of towline
to drag the torpedo into the hull.

Avez vous malade?

I beg your pardon?

It's French for, "You
don't look so good."

Oh. Nonsense.
I'm fine, thank you.

Will you excuse me?

[Puking]

Natural born seaman, eh?

- It was something I ate.
- Right.

Mr. Collins, please mind
your place on the boat.

If your feet move even
an inch or two, we might tip.

I got a tip for you,
you bloody tea bag.

I don't take orders
from an englishman.

On this boat you do.

We'll see about
that then, sailor.

Private White
reportin' for duty, sir!

Well, thanks, son.
We have all we need.

Begging the Lieutenant's pardon,
sir, but that cannot be possible,

as you do not have me, sir!

- How old are you, son?
- Twenty-one years of age, sir.

Eighteen, sir.

- When you'll be 17, boy?
- Next month, sir.

Why don't you grab yourself a fishin'
pole here, and come see me when you're 18.

Sir, I can swim like a fish.

I am a fish. I was born to
be underneath the waves.

Watch this!

You wanna see this boy gets some
dry clothes watch thand gets home safe.

I think about you all the
time, and I miss you bad.

Should I make that, "badly?"

Brilliant.

I miss you badly.

I see your face
whenever I close my eyes.

Sometimes-- wait.

I think I can smell
your perfume,

and I feel like you are near.

That's all I wanna
say about that.

May I ask a question?

Why are you learning French?

It is the language of love.

Yes. Right.

...this friend
writes this for me.

Can I ask you a question?
...Irish gentleman.

Why's Dixon carry that
coin with 'im everywhere?

It was given to
him by his wife...

When he left for the war.

It saved his leg at Shiloh.

Is she with him now?

No, she's dead.

You're breakin' my heart. All
right, Shakespeare, come on.
Let's get this over with.

I'm proud to be
fightin' for our country,

and to know I'm
doin' the right thing...

Helps me when I'm missin' you.

You don't think she'll
believe that, do you?

- Well, it's true. I am proud.
- Listen to you,

with all your talk about
patriotism and honor.

You're a fool.

You don't fight for your
country, you fight for yourself.

Collins, we're
fightin' for our home.

You've lost your
home. You've lost it all.

You're only fighting 'cause you
don't want to admit you're beat.
Then what are you doin' here?

Well, let's see. I get
my meals and a roof...

And a few dollars and a
chance to bloody a nose or two.

That's all I need. The rest of
you are a bunch of idiots, if
you think there more to it.

Hey, only a son of a
bitch would say that!

You care to try me, lad?

'Cause this son of a bitch can
whip any man in this room...

One at a time or all
at once, if you like.

You wanna take this outside?

- That's enough, gentlemen.
- You shut your mouth, tea bag.

- This is between men.
- Mr. Collins--

Mr. Collins, I outrank you and I am
ordering you to sit down and be quiet now!

I'm in the bloody Navy,
ya pencil-neck bastard!

You don't even outrank my arse!

That's where the fight is,
son! You see? Out there.

And not here!

Any more problems with you,
you deal with me. You understand?

- I'm not afraid of ya.
- That's a mistake.

Mr. Alexander, care to grab your
compass and join me on the beach here?

Our best chance is the Wabash.

Wooden frigate.

'Bout six miles out.

Due east.

Straight away from
Battery Marshall.

What'd they say about that
torpedo? Is she ready yet?

Ninety pounds of
black powder. It's ready.

Ninety pounds? I'm tryin' to
blow up a ship, Will, not a fleet.

No sense takin' any
chances, George.

I think we'll find them--

At least they're bombing
Sumter tonight, not Charleston.

I don't understand why they
shell a city of women and children.

Why aren't they shelling
Richmond or Wilmington?

Because the war didn't start in Richmond
or Wilmington. It started in Charleston.

We're the first to secede,

our first shot of Sumter.

Ain't gonna stop
till they level the city.

That's what I never
understand, the politics.

I came here to make a living
as an engineer, not to make war.

Good thing about war is it
gives you somethin' to believe in.

Somethin' to fight for.

- What are you fighting for, George?
- I don't know no more.

Maybe somethin'
that's already lost.

Then what are you living for?

You could be a major
by now. Colonel, maybe.

You could be watching all this from
the rear. I'm exactly where I wanna be.

That night when we were being
shelled, you walked right through it.

It was like you were looking
for something. What was it?

- A ghost, maybe.
- I thought you wanted to be killed.

Come on.

Yep.

See if our crew have
slaughtered each other yet.

They're scared.

They don't know what
they're capable of yet.

Head on! Move
it out! Move it out!

Come on! Get your head down!

Keep your head down!

Let's go! Let's go!
Move it out, boys!

Hurry, soldier!

Move it out!

Fire! Move it out!
Move out, men!

If the federals ever
sight us out there at sea,

got no choice but to
hide on the bottom.

We don't know how long we
gonna take it down ther without air.

I say today we find out.

We'll crank her out to the mouth
of the harbor. We'll bring her down.

Just stay down there
as long as we can.

Any man feels he can't take it no more,
just yell uq, we come up. Any questions?

You can stay down there all
bloody day before I'll say up, sir.

Excuse me, sir.

Hey.

Oxygen gone.
Twenty-five minutes.

Up! Up! Up! Up!

Aft pump not throwing.
We gonna go up?

- What is it? What's wrong?
- Might be clogged!

What?

We gotta get up.
Are we gonna get up?

I can't breathe!

- Collins! Collins!
- I've got to breathe!

I've got to breathe!

Collins! Collins, you hear me?

Get in your position,
son, and turn that thing!

Stop it! You're all
right. You'll be all right.

She's throwing! It's in.

Collins! Collins!

Incroyable. [Unbelievable]

What you doin'? Are you crazy?

All right, boys, the
game's Blackjack.

Hey, what you got?

I'll stick.

Now this--

I didn't feel a thing.

This one is when I got--
oop! That's sacred. All right.

I want to kiss you, all over your body.

That would be another
two dollars, darlin'.

Buy ya a whiskey, Lieutenant?

Can't find a girl you like, huh?

The boys are all tryin' to
get me together with one.

So? That's just it.

I'm a married man, sir.

I ain't never been with but
one woman and that's my wife.

I-I can't even think
about nobody else but her.

It's like she breathes for me.

Understand, Lieutenant?
You ever love anyone like that?

- What's on your mind, Mr. Simkins?
- Well, it's just--

I don't want the
boys to think anything.

So I was wonderin' if you could just order
me to go back to the barracks right now.

I'd really appreciate it.

- Well, you consider yourself ordered.
- Thank you, sir.

I knew you were a good man.

- First time I ever saw you, I said
to myself-- - Simkins, go. Just go.

Yes, sir.

The water is almost up to our
necks, and I know I'm gonna drown.

And then I look at
Mr. Alexander down there, I said,

"Well, maybe there's some seaweed
or some such thing cloggin' the valve."

He was tryin' to climb
through the dead lights.

Come on! It's-- come on, I'm tellin'
the truth. You believe me, right?

Lieutenant says I gotta
go back to Mount Pleasant.

Where ya goin'?

What about this fine
young lady? She's w-w--

well, I'd love to show
her a thing or two,

but-- ooh! Lieutenant says I
gotta rig the torpedo for tomorrow.

I begged 'im.

You're a hard man, Lieutenant!

Sometimes I hate this war.

Well, I guess
I'll see y'all later.

So, we finally get a look at
our brave submarine men.

Care to join us for a drink?
Well, I don't think I will.

No, sir. You see, I only
drink with fightin' men.

Not cowards who
hide under the water.

Not men who attack like little
mice where they can't be seen.

Who in the hell
you callin' a coward?

Well, I guess I'm
callin' you a coward, sir.

I never seen a slimier bunch.

Y'all belong
underwater. Apologize.

Well, I'm not talkin'
to you, potato eater.

You talk to one of
us, you talk to all of us.

I'll only ask you once
more... to apologize.

And what are you
gonna do if I don't?

You're so good to me, lord.

Imbecile!

Mr. Becker, I appreciate
your efforts on our behalf,

but I think you should refrain
from actually... killing him.

Uh, this would be a good
time to apologize, lad.

I'm sorry.

- I think he said it.
- That'll do.

You bastards. You
were gonna let 'im kill me.

C'est le guerre.

C'est le guerre. Aye.

What does that mean?

♪ when I was a little boy ♪

♪ so my mother told me ♪

♪ we'll haul away ♪

♪ we'll haul away, Joe ♪

♪ that if I did not
kiss the girls ♪

♪ my lips would all grow moldy ♪

♪ we'll haul away ♪

♪ we'll haul away, Joe ♪

♪ we'll haul away ♪

♪ we're bound for
better weather ♪

♪ we'll haul away ♪

What if he was right?

Who?

The one who said
we were cowards.

What if he's right?

You know,

It's been a hell of a day.

Let's get some rest.

Where the in the hell is
the assistant surgeon?

- Hold his head up!
- Yes, doctor!

That's it, boys. He's dead.
Take 'im away. Yes, sir.

Can I help you, Lieutenant?

General Beauregard sent
for me. Wait here, please, sir.

Get a clamp and
bring it back. Yes, sir.

I am surprised.

- Dixon, I am talking to you.
- I'm sorry, sir.

I said, I am surprised that half
the population of Charleston...

Is not in this hospital after you and your
men tore through the waterfront last night.

It wasn't quite like that, sir. This
may come as a surprise to you,

but I have more
important things to do...

Than deal with complaints about
your men's leisure-time habits.

My crew were defendin'
their honor, sir. Lieutenant.

You and your men have been
paddling about the harbor for weeks now,

while this city is being reduced
to small bits of brick and mortar.

Are you ready, or are you not?

I'm ready. My men are ready.

I'm awaiting your orders, sir.

You have your orders.

You are to sink and destroy
any vessel of the enemy...

With which you can
come into conflict.

Charleston is
counting on you, Dixon.

I am counting on you.

Dismissed.

Informants tell us that the rebels
have built a diving torpedo boat.

This infernal machine is capable of
attacking from beneath the surface.

All ships and ironclads in
the inner blockading circle...

Should have their fenders rigged out, and
a netting should be dropped from the ends.

They should also anchor in
a shallow part of the channel,

so that there will be no room
for a submersible to pass under.

Send it and
confirm it. Yes, sir.

We're gonna move
against the Wabash.

Three hours out,
three hours back.

Anyone here
think we can't do it?

Good.

Let's show 'em what we
have! One thing, Lieutenant.

You don't know what it's like not
to be able to breathe down there,

to try and suck air into your
lungs when there's none.

What's your point,
Mr. Collins? What I'm sayin'--

what... we're sayin' is...

If we get stuck on the bottom,

and there's no chance
we're gettin' back up,

we open the sea cocks
and flood the submarine.

We drown quick,
instead of suffocate slow.

That all right with you?

- Done.
- All right.

Why, general, I do
believe this terrible war...

Is turnin' your hair gray.

In a manner of speaking, ma
belle, you are correct. One moment.

Lieutenant Dixon.

The eyes of
Charleston are on you.

This is a remarkable sight.

Why, even miss--

the young lady I am with, she is most
impressed. Well, that's nice to know, sir.

Private White
reportin' for duty, sir!

If it may please the general, I would
like to be assigned to the C.S.S. Hunley.

- Who is this boy?
- I'm a born sailor, sir.

I belong underneath the
waves, fightin' for my country.

Will someone please tell me why this boy is
talking to me? What the hell does he want?

I would like to kill Yankees, sir.

Many as possible. Slowly
and horribly, if time permits.

Do not misunderstand me. It
is not that I do not like the boy.

Sir, may it please
the general, sir!

He does this till he gets tired.

- Then he'll-- he'll just go home.
- General.

C'est un honeur d'eternuer
en votre presence.

- Comment?
- C'est un honeur...

D'eternuer en votre presence.

Are you aware that
you have just told me...

That it would be an honor for
you to sneeze in my presence?

Mon dieu! pardon.

Pardon.

Please accept this small gift from
a humble fisherman, sir. Thank you.

It's a fish.

I caught it with my bare hands.

Regrettably, so did I. Dixon.

Thanks for all you've
done for Charleston.

See how long I can hold
my breath, sir? Watch this!

Oddestunch of
boys I ever did see.

Well, they're loyal.

All right. Neutral
buoyancy, Mr. Alexander.

Let's trim 'er.

All right. Diving.

Don't you want
somethin' to look at?

Somethin' to think about?

I would if I had a
picture of my arse.

Bunch of sentimental idiots.

You all right?

Lovely. Oh!

♪ Clear away in the morning ♪

♪ don't want to
go ashore, boys ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪

♪ Captain don't you leave me ♪

♪ clear away in the morning ♪

♪ there's no one
here that needs me ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪
it's Irish.

♪ My da used to sing it
to me when I was a boy.

♪ Clear away in the morning ♪

♪ she never played it fancy ♪

- They got chains.
- What?

Over the side. The hull is completely
protected below the waterline.

How could they know to do that?

Don't matter. They know.

- Uh, we gotta bring her back. Come on!
- George, the torpedo!

- The line must have snagged!
- all right. We gotta dive. Let's go!

No! No! The
propeller will suck it in.

George, what the hell
are you doing? All right.

Come on! Come on! Get
down or you're gonna swamp us!

Move! Stay down!

She's completely caught.
She's caught in the rudder.

Give me your knife.

I wouldn't want to do this forever,
old man. I've got two to go, Will.

Two to go. George!

- Open fire!
- get down!

Get down!

We're divin', gentlemen!

Rudder hard to starboard!

Brace yourselves, now! In case we g
a torpedo, we're goin' home real quick!

Cease fire! Cease fire!

Looks like two
men on a raft, sir.

Well, we sunk it,
whatever the hell it was.

You keep the lights
on, and keep watch.

I'll alert the Captain
and the other ships.

♪

Dixon's here.

Excuse me.

Either the Hunley is a lot
faster than we all thought,

or you gentlemen are
the bearers of bad news.

They were prepared for us, sir.

There was chain booms and
nets all over the sides of that boat.

They were warned.

There is something else.

Yes, sir. We ran afoul
of our torpedo tow line.

In the process of freeing
it, we got sighted and fired
upon. You were identified?

This happened so fast, there's no tellin'
what they saw. But other than that...

It was a very successful
mission? It was a setback, sir.

There's nothing here I can't-- I
can't tolerate another setback, Dixon.

I am going to disband your unit
before I become the laughingstock of--

general, I got this
close. I'm this close.

You have failed.

Dixon!

Get your men
back in their chairs!

Play "Bonnie blue flag"! Do it!

Come on! "Bonnie blue flag"!

♪ We are a band of
brothers a native to the soil ♪

♪ fighting for the property
we gained by honest toil ♪

♪ and when our rights
were threatened ♪

♪ the cry Rose near and far ♪

♪ hurrah for the
Bonnie blue flag ♪

♪ that bears a single star ♪

♪ hurrah, hurrah ♪

♪ for southern rights hurrah ♪

♪ hurrah for the Bonnie blue
flag that bears a single star ♪

♪ as long as the union
was faithful to my trust ♪

♪ like friends and like
brothers we were kind and just ♪

♪ but now when northern
treachery attempts our rights to mar ♪

♪ we hoist on high the Bonnie
blue flag that bears a single star ♪

♪ hurrah, hurrah for
southern rights, hurrah ♪

♪ hurrah for the Bonnie blue
flag that bears a single star ♪

♪ hurrah, hurrah for
southern rights, hurrah ♪

♪ hurrah for the Bonnie blue
flag that bears a single star ♪

Some of these
ships and ironclads...

In the inner circle
of this blockade here,

they've got themselves protected
now with these nets and chain booms.

The ships in the out
circle here are not.

They don't even believe
we can crank that far.

Can you? If we base off
Sullivan's island we can, yeah.

Run that ship two and a half miles
up the coast, out of breach inlet,

we get to this outer circle
of ships in a matter of hours.

They're mostly wooden hulls.
Take 'em completely by surprise.

You're a bold man, Lieutenant.

Every time I am ready to
give up on this damn thing,

you convince me to persevere.

Where I come from,

we would say, "vous as
des couilles," big, brass ones.

We've come too far to stop now.

You still believe
this war can be won?

No, sir.

I believe there's a
battle or two that can be,

and that should be.

Well, I have had an idea myself.

I am a fair engineer,
as you may have heard.

Yeah, I have heard.

Spar torpedo. Mounted
on the bow, but off the keel.

Sawtooth harpoon, lanyard
trigger, make contact,

you back away 150, 200 feet.

- Lanyard triggers the torpedo.
- We won't have to dive under the ship.

Nor will you have to worry about
heavy seas fouling your towline...

And blowing yourself
up with your own torpedo,

which I'm sure you will agree would
be a most embarrassing turn of events.

That's a good idea.
As is yours, Dixon.

Now, you make it work...

Because I believe we have only
one more chance to use this boat...

Before those damn fools in
Richmond lose this war for us.

You fought at Shiloh, Dixon.

Do you think I should've pressed on
that first day while there was still light?

A lot of people do.

- No, I'm asking what you think.
- Yes, sir. I do.

Let me tell you
something, Dixon.

I was right to rest my army.

They had no more fight in them.

And I was told Grant's
reinforcements were nowhere near.

Jefferson Davis said I
wasn't fit to command an army.

What does that son of a bitch
know about fighting a war?

This... politician...

Strips me of my command.

He broke my heart.

You are very kind.

Think nothin' of it.

And what about you, Dixon?

What did you lose in this war
besides a good chunk of your leg?

Your wife?

I do not wish to
be... indiscreet,

but I have heard the story.

She was on a ferry boat that
went down in the Tennessee River.

Hit by a torpedo...

That drifted in from
god knows where.

How can you bear that?

I read you lost your wife, sir. I'm
sure it pains you to talk about that.

On the contrary.

It helped me get rid of
the trappings of sentiment.

She died giving
birth to my daughter.

Now, there's a test for you.

A test for the
strength of one's heart.

There is this beautiful child,

and she cost you
the woman you love.

Whatever you do,

from that moment onwards,

you are really
just marking time.

Isn't that right, Dixon?

Yes, sir.

You know something, Dixon?

You and I,

we are somewhat alike.

Yeah, in what way, sir?

We are both romantics...

In an age of barbarians.

Man ] Port side secure!

Can't be too careful.

Yes, you never know when there's
going to be a surprise attack by driftwood.

- Reporting as ordered, sir.
- New orders.

We're to lay off of Rattlesnake
Shoal near Battery Marshall,

and be prepared to
intercept any blockade runner.

We will maintain 25 pounds of steam at
all times and keep the engines reversed.

Yes, sir. Let's hope we
find something to fight.

I felt a lot better when that bloody
thing was 200 feet away from us.

This is actually much safer.

Now, we'll have
total control over it.

What happens if
we ram the ship...

And then that thing blows up
before we can back far enough away?

Au revoir. Right.

If that thing explodes in me
face, nothing can be done.

Dixon said it was
gonna be better this way.

Hey, Lieutenant! Would
you come up here?

You've been ordered
back to Mobile. What?

Why?

Somethin' about designing
some new cannon.

You're to leave tomorrow.

Yes, well, uh,

I've left all the drawings and
schematics on your bench.

If, uh, I can be
of any assistance,

feel free to write.

You and me put this
thing together, Will.

Whether you're here
or there don't matter.

It's your brains
that run the boat,

and your heart.

Yes.

That's very good of you.

I'd best be off now.

Well, no more
throwing up anyway.

Ah, Mr. Collins. Always
seeing the silver lining.

At least you won't go
down in history as a coward.

Collins, if we--

if you go down
in history at all,

it will be as men
who were not afraid.

Men who took on a fleet of
warships in a rigged-out boiler.

Men who didn't have
to be made to do it.

You're gonna get your
chance to make history,

and I'm going to miss it.

Lieutenant?

Here.

What's this?

For luck, maybe. I don't know.

Just take it.

Thanks.

- Good luck to you.
- All right then.

The U.S.S. Housatonic.

The wooden hull, huh?

About three miles
past the breakers.

We could make that in two hours.
They'd never expect us that far out.

Okay, we move on
out tonight. Mr. Collins.

You're my new first
officer. Bloody hell!

I mean-- I mea thank you, sir.

We're still gonna need
another man, Lieutenant.

It'll be a full moon tonight.

The seas will be calm.
Not much wind today.

I don't know how long that ship will
be out there. Just don't want to wait.

- Private White, be at ease.
- I am, sir!

They'll be lookin' for us now,

and with a full moon, the
federal's probably gonna see
us when we come up to sight.

So we gonna be fast, we're gonna be
accurate. Gonna be one chance here.

Any man who wants to wait for
a darker night now, we'll just wait.

All right, once we've attacked,

y'all gonna signal battery
Marshall here with a blue calcium.

They, in turn, are gonna show
us a light at the breach inlet...

And we'll bring
her right on home.

We go out at nightfall.
Y'all are dismissed.

Thank you for this honor, sir.
Private White, first of all, I
want you to stop shoutin'.

You just shout too much, son.

And second of all, I want you to
make me proud I put you on my boat.

Now, is that clear? I
will make you proud, sir.

Good. Get some rest, son.

I'm getting closer.

Don't say a word.

Mr. Collins? Open
your aft hatch.

Okay, next time we come
up, we're gonna be in range.

Two minutes, we'll dive.

Six foot long, for
sure. That's good.

We're right on top of her
now! No time to dive! Just go!

Just go!

Williams.

Sir? Do you see anything off
the port quarter? 100 yards?

Looks like tide ripple.

Good god! Beat to quarters! Slip
the chain and back the engines!

All hands on deck!
All hands on deck

Slip the chain! Slip the chain!

Sir, I think it's a torpedo
closing in off the port quarter!

Go astern and open fire!
Go astern and open fire!

Impact in ten seconds! Prepare
to reverse as soon as we hit!

Go astern faster!

Go astern faster!

Depress guns! Point aft!

We're under the guns, sir!

Reverse! Reverse! Let's
get the hell outta here!

It's backing off!
It's backing off!

- Lieutenant!
- He's hit!

Keep cranking! Keep
cranking! Reverse! Reverse!

Stuff those ports!

We're sinking!

Lieutenant.

Give him the light.
Give him the light.

Private White, flash it
to battery Marshall. Now!

What's the damage?

The crankshaft is
bent in the stuffing box.

We've lost some
rivets and bolts.

We've plugged the holes,
but we've taken on some water.

Ridgeway, Wicks and Simkins
are hurt, and I don't know how bad.

Did we get 'em? We got
'em, sir. We got 'em good.

We must've hit their ammo
magazine by the sound of it.

We did it! We sunk her!

They flashed us the
light from battery Marshall!

All right. Just gotta wait now.

We'll go in on the tide.

- Why don't we dive?
- We didn't dive.

We took on too much
water. We're going down.

- What do I do, George?
- Drop that keel.

Come on! Release that keel
ballast before we hit bottom!

I can't find the wrench!
I can't find the wrench!

Find the wrench!
Find the wrench!

Come on! Come on!

Find the wrench! It's
got to be under one of us!

Find it!

The hatch won't open!

Come on! Come on!

Find that wrench!

Move! Move! Move!

Collins!

We took on too much water here. Keel
ballast ain't gonna make no difference now.

We can bail this water into the
ballast tanks and use the force pumps.

Got no rudder.

Divin' plane here, it's froze.

Hatches don't open
under this pressure.

Not goin' anywhere now.

How long can the air last?

Couple of hours... Maybe.

- It's finished then?
- It's finished.

You know, Private White, we all agreed
if something like this would happen--

I know.

I'm not afraid.

Do what's right, sir.

Gentlemen?

It has been an honor...

To know each--

Go on now. Open that valve.

Aye, sir.

There she goes.

- Straight to the bottom.
- Son of a bitch! We did it!

- We did it!
- That we did.

You made me
proud, Private White.

You showed yourself
to be worthy of this boat.

I appreciate that, sir.

I might as well tell ya.

I'm not really a private.

In fact, I'm not even
in the damn army.

♪ Take me back
on the bay, boys ♪

♪ clear away in the morning ♪

♪ I don't want to
go ashore, boys ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪

♪ Captain, don't you leave me ♪

♪ clear away in the morning ♪

♪ there's no one
here that needs me ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪

♪ Nancy oh, my Nancy ♪

♪ clear away in the morning ♪

♪ she never played it fancy ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪

♪ take me back
on the bay, boys ♪

♪ clear away in the morning ♪

♪ I don't want to
go ashore, boys ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪

♪ Captain, don't you leave me ♪

♪ clear away in the morning ♪

♪ there's no one
here that needs me ♪

♪ oh, bring her 'round ♪

♪ Nancy, oh, my ♪

Da?

Sleep sweetly in
your humble graves.

Sleep, martyrs
of a fallen cause.

Though yet no marble
column craves...

The pilgrim here to pause.

There is no holier spot of ground
than where defeated valor lies...

By mourning beauty crowned.

In seeds of Laurel in the earth,

the blossom of
your flame is blown.

And somewhere,
waiting for its birth,

the shaft is in the stone.

Meanwhile, behalf
the tawny years,

which keep in trust
your storied tombs.

Behold your sisters bring their
tears and these memorial blooms.

Small tribute,

but your shades will smile more
proudly on these wreaths today...

Then when some cannon-molded
time shall overlook this place.