All language subtitles for JAG - 06x23 - Mutiny.DVDRip.SAiNTS.English.updated.Addic7ed.com

Ready port gun.

Ready port gun!

Ready your lines.

Ready your lines!

- Sir, will you forgive me?
- Have no fear, Mr. Spencer.

God will extend you mercy.

And you my son.

And you.

Beat the call.

Beat the call!

Fire!

It's quite an honour, colonel.
Lecturing at the Naval Academy.

It'll be an honour if I finish writing
the lecture before it's time to start.

Isn't this a bad week to be doing this?
Before my wedding,

I was yelling at some caterer
about an ice swan.

- Did it help?
- Nothing helped.

Until I walked into that church and I
saw Bud waiting for me at the altar.

An early wedding present, Mac.

- Lieutenant.
- Sir.

Printed from microfilm.

Complete coverage
of the Somers Affair

in the New York Commercial
Advertiser 1842 and 1843.

- I could exchange it for a blender.
- No, that's very thoughtful of you.

You, of course,
know that that's not the real gift.

I know, but you wouldn't happen
to have a lecture in your pocket?

Fascinating case.
Wish I could hear what you had to say.

Me too.

- The captain's name was Mackenzie?
- Alexander Slidell Mackenzie.

Friend of Washington Irving
and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

An author himself.

He's related by marriage
to Commodore Perry.

- And to you, ma'am?
- No, but the name got me interested.

He had an impeccable reputation
as a naval officer.

Well, until his cruise
on the USS Somers.

What happened? Shipwreck?

No. Worse.

Ready your lines.

Beat the call.

Beat the call!

Fire!

Whip!

Come in.

First Lieutenant Gansevoort
reporting to the Secretary of War.

- At ease, lieutenant.
- Thank you, sir.

You come from the Somers?

- How is Commander Mackenzie?
- Well, sir.

We docked in New York on Monday.

You travelled very swiftly to see me.
Why?

Sir, the commander has sent me
to inform you of certain events.

I regret to inform you
that our voyage was troubled by

a mutiny.

- Mutiny?
- Yes, sir.

And Commander Mackenzie,
the ship, are well?

All is well, sir.

Except for three mutineers
who were hanged.

- Hanged? Where?
- At sea.

It is my sad duty, sir,
to report that one of them

was your son.

Philip?

Sorry, sir.

He led the mutiny.

The son of the Secretary of War?

Philip Spencer.
Bright, but a drinker, a brawler.

He spent three years as a college
freshman before being expelled.

His father got him appointed the
midshipman just to straighten him out.

Sit. I'm looking for Albritton's
Law of the Sea.

Oh, sir, that should be in your office.

Or right here, sir.

Philip Spencer had been obsessed
with pirates since he was a teenager.

His plan, apparently,
was to take over the Somers

and turn it into a pirate ship.

What'd he do? Storm the decks,
pistols blazing, swords drawn?

Actually,
the mutiny never happened.

The captain must've had reason
to think that it would.

Well, that question was raised

by, among others,
the Secretary of War.

The Navy convened
a court of enquiry.

I thank you, gentlemen,
for this opportunity to explain

what befell my ship

since we embarked New York,
13 September last

on a training mission
for young sailors and officers.

The officers, as a group,
I was pleased to receive.

Except Midshipman Spencer.

You began the voyage displeased
with him, commander?

I'd heard reports, sir, of libertine
behaviour and casual disrespect.

On a previous ship?

Yes.

But on the Somers I soon saw
the character of the man for myself.

And then she says to me, "Spencer,
where would you bury your chest?"

Mr. Spencer.

Report.

Sir?

A naval officer does not report
to his captain holding a cigar.

Well, it's a fine cigar, sir.

If you refuse
to honour your officer's uniform

and properly supervise your men,

I will strip you of it

and you will clean the deck

and they will smoke cigars.

Dismissed.

Aye, aye, sir.

Back to work or I'll flog you myself.
Get back to work.

Sir.

You hear the captain, Wales?

He requests
I attend better to my duties.

Then perhaps you should.

I'd like to catch him on the roundhouse
one night.

Plunge him overboard.
Perhaps I shall do that.

Damned if I don't.

Improper and punishable,

but he is not the first young officer
to denounce his captain.

A few days later,
he approached my master-at-arms.

A fine day, sir.

- As you were.
- Aye, sir.

And a fine ship
with which to enjoy it.

Nothing in the fleet can catch her.

I suppose not, sir.

But has the Navy
a need to catch her own ships?

I could take her with six men.

You couldn't with three times six.

Six men, sergeant.

Providing their leader
knows the lay of the ship as I do.

We would seize the captain and
the officers and take the arms chest

and when the rest of the crew
see my men in arms

they will all come over.

The officers have swords, sir.

And your six would have?

We would run them through
with their own swords

and heave their bodies into the sea.

Things came to a head
a few nights later.

I don't know.

Do you fear death, Wales?

Are you afraid to kill a man?

I don't know, Mr. Spencer.

Is there someone I must kill?

Can you keep a secret?

I can.

I'm planning on taking the ship.

You cannot be serious.

Good God.

I have 20 men with me.

Their names are on a piece of paper
in secret writing.

Two of them are gonna stage a fight
on the forecastle.

When the officer on the deck
comes to settle the matter,

he will be thrown overboard.

And the other officers?

We will surprise them
in the wardroom.

Kill them all there.

Call the crew on the deck,
select the ones that we want,

and toss the rest over the side.

- Why?
- Why?

Why, then we commence
cruising for prized vessels.

- As pirates?
- Yes.

Can you imagine
a better life, Wales?

Treasure, freedom.

And some of the ships we take
will have women.

Will you join us?

It is

intriguing.

Wales, it would be a waste
to throw you overboard.

I want you as my third officer.

We'll talk again.

If you lisp a syllable
about this to anyone,

twenty men stand ready
to put a knife in you, all right?

Nevertheless, Mr. Wales found
the courage to report the conversation.

I had Mr. Spencer placed under arrest
and his quarters searched.

Lieutenant Gansevoort
found this in his shaving kit.

Written in Greek letters, but easy
to decipher. A list of accomplices.

Two of whom I also arrested.

Commander,
your intentions at the time

were to bring these men home
for court martial

as prescribed
by the Articles of War?

Yes, sir.

But I did not have that luxury.

It seems to me, commander,

that it is they
who were denied a benefit.

Then you, sir,
need to understand the situation.

The Somers is swift but small.

There is no place
to hold men under arrest

other than on the deck
with the rest of the crew.

Some of whom
may be their accomplices.

Some of the accomplices we knew,

others we did not.

Overall, the crew became sullen,
disobedient.

Whispered conversations broke up
when officers approached.

My officers stood double watches.

They grew exhausted,
and they were vulnerable, sir.

And the men under arrest,

they remained confident
and insolent.

What other explanation than they
were expecting to be rescued?

I referred the matter
to a council of my officers

who met independently of me.

And concluded we had no other
alternative than to rig the gallows.

That was the most terrible decision
of my life.

But I would do it again, sir,

for the sake of my duty to my ship,

to my country

and to my God.

Commander Mackenzie,

we have heard your evidence
and that of your crew.

And we have concluded

that owing to difficult conditions
aboard the USS Somers

and the demonstrated malefactions
of the mutineers aboard her,

your actions
were justified in every respect.

We stand adjourned.

I told you, darling,
there was nothing to fear.

I had faith in you, Alexander.
I did not know if they would.

Congratulations, sir.
It's been a pleasure serving under you.

Congratulations, sir.

Thank you.

My dear, let's go home.

Forgive me, commander,
if I don't offer my congratulations.

Mr. Secretary, I am sorry
things had to turn out as they did.

Had to, commander?
You had no options?

- The court just found that he did not.
- With all due respect, ma'am,

your husband's reputation
is still at stake.

Sir, I would gladly defend my
reputation in any venue you propose.

Excellent.

I propose a court martial.

Allow me to introduce
Commander Norris

who will serve as trial counsel.

Commander, ma'am.

You would prosecute me,
commander?

On what charge?

Among others,
three counts of murder, sir.

The Naval Academy exists today,

you are at Annapolis today
because of what happened

on a training mission of the
USS Somers 159 years ago,

where the need for some better
method of training Naval officers

was tragically demonstrated.

That's an understatement.

It's a key point, Mic.
There are so many key points.

I was hoping this would be a relaxing
break from planning a wedding.

No worries, it's all under control.

Is it? The caterer called me today
about her cheque.

- You delivered it by 5, right?
- Right.

And you faxed the new song list
to the band?

Yeah. More Motown.

And did you call the airline
about Chloe flying alone?

Oh, I'll call them tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?
- Tomorrow.

Am I on trial here?

First charge,
conduct unbecoming an officer.

Second charge, oppression.

Third charge, unnecessary cruelty.

Fourth charge, illegal punishment.

Fifth charge, murder onboard a
United States vessel on the high seas.

How does the defendant plead?

Not guilty.

Will the court admit into evidence
the record compiled

- by the court of enquiry...?
- Objection.

- Whose verdict
exonerated my client?

The court may have exonerated him,
but the record does not.

Commander,
shall we proceed to witnesses

and save the argument for later?

Yes, sir.

I call Sergeant Michael Garty
to the stand.

Sergeant,

do you swear that the evidence
you give in this case

shall be the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth,

- so help you God?
- Yes, sir.

Be seated.

Sergeant,

the record of the board of enquiry
includes an account of a conversation

you had with Midshipman Spencer

during which he said he could take
the USS Somers with six men.

That's right, sir. That's what he said.

Sergeant, were you acquainted
with Midshipman Spencer

before that conversation?

We all knew him, sir.

By "we" you mean the common sailors
onboard the ship?

Yes, sir.

Mr. Spencer was quite popular
with the men.

Because he was brave.

Because he was strong,
he was an accomplished seaman?

Actually, sir, he gave away
a lot of cigars and shared his rum.

Even though Commander Mackenzie
had forbidden

tobacco and alcohol to the men?

That's right, sir.

Sergeant, was Midshipman Spencer

a natural leader,
one men would follow into action?

Well, they'd follow him into a tavern
if he was buying.

Sergeant,
Commander Mackenzie's account

of your conversation
with Mr. Spencer

did not take us to the end of it.

Would you favour us
with your own recollection of it?

Yes, sir.

He approached me by the rail.

He told me,
like the captain said,

that he could take the ship
with six men.

Six men, sergeant.

Providing their leader
knew the lay of the ship as I do.

Oh, I hardly think so, sir.

Be sure of it.

And, sir, you may be sure
that when the crew turns up,

they would toss you
and your six overboard

or we would be a very poor crew.

But once we have the arms...

But how
would you get the arms, sir?

I have the key to the chest.

If you joined us, sergeant.

Oh, excuse me, sir.

And you laughed?

I couldn't help myself, sir.

It seemed so ridiculous.

Thank you, sergeant.

Sergeant Garty,

have you ever heard
of the HMS Bounty?

Of course, sir.
There was a mutiny on that ship.

And the mutiny
aboard the HMS Hermione?

Every sailor knows of it, sir.

The captain of the Hermione
was slaughtered.

- Along with eight of his officers.
- Yes, sir.

Do you think any of the mutineers

might've mentioned their plans
to fellow crew members

before killing people?

I don't know, sir. I wasn't there.

No.

You were only aboard the Somers

listening to Midshipman Spencer
make dire threats and laughing.

How ridiculous might his words
have seemed to you, sergeant,

after the captain was run through
with his own sword

and his body heaved into the sea?

Mr. Wales, you occupy
the position of purser's steward?

That's right, sir.

As such, what were your duties
aboard the Somers?

Bookkeeping mostly, sir.

Handling the ship's accounts, logging
purchases from the ship's stores...

Like cigars and rum
Mr. Spencer gave to the crew?

Yes, sir.

When Mr. Spencer approached you
about being part of his mutiny,

how long had you been at sea?

The Somer's cruise
was my second, sir.

I'd been under sail
a total of six months.

Mr. Wales,
do you know how to navigate?

- No, sir.
- Organise a watch list?

- No, sir.
- But you do know

- how to keep accounts?
- Yes, sir.

What was your reaction

when Mr. Spencer approached you
about being a part of his mutiny?

Fear, sir.
And I'm not afraid to admit it.

Fear? Not confusion?

- Sir?
- Why would Mr. Spencer

recruit a bookkeeper to be
third in command of a pirate ship?

Did he intend
to capture the other vessels

by subtracting their guns
from them?

I admit, sir, I wondered myself.

As well you might have.

Your witness.

But then I remembered...

Oh, am I finished?

No, Mr. Wales, please continue.

Then I remembered
that when Mr. Spencer spoke to me,

Sergeant Garty was ill.
I was the acting master-at-arms.

So you had the key
to the arms chest?

That's right, sir.

So things are clear after all.

Thank you, Mr. Wales.

Ma'am.

You're making much work of this.

I did not seek the job, ma'am.
The job sought me.

The job?

You're trying to destroy my husband.

You should be honouring him.
Everyone should.

And someone needs to speak
for the men who died.

Mutineers.

- Have you ever captained a ship?
- No.

- Commanded men under arms?
- No.

Been to sea?

For a while.

Commander Mackenzie
went to sea at the age of 11.

He's commanded men and ships
in peace and war.

And you question his actions
from the safety of a courtroom?

How do you think
you can begin to understand?

I killed him, sir.

- Begging your pardon, sir.
- You killed whom?

Mr. Spencer and the others.

I was on the lines.

Fire!

Whip!

You were compelled.

I hope God sees it that way, sir.

How goes it with the captain?
Will you hang him?

That will be up to the panel.

- Do you know about the floggings, sir?
- I've seen the log.

At least one or two men every day, sir.
Twelve lashes at a time.

For skulking, being dirty,
spilling tea on the deck.

- Tell them. Tell the judges.
- It may do no good.

Then show them, sir.

For washing clothes
without permission.

Son, if I showed this to the court,

it may make them believe
the crew was prepared to mutiny.

I never heard talk of no mutiny, sir.

Not from Mr. Spencer,
not from anybody.

And if you did,
would you have joined them?

Those men didn't deserve to die, sir.

Do something.

Please, sir.

Ma'am, your schedule.

They're expecting you
at the Naval Academy tomorrow night.

You speak about the Somers mutiny
the next morning at 0900.

Forty-six hours and 11 minutes.

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

Excuse me, colonel?

About your transportation
to Annapolis.

- Need the duty driver?
- I'll take my vehicle.

Do you need travel claim
for mileage reimbursement?

No... Yes, but not now.

So?

- Innocent or guilty?
- Who?

Your great-grandfather,
the captain of the Somers.

- He's not my great-grandfather.
- Are you sure?

You know,
I still have a lot of work left to do,

is there anything else you want?

Yeah.

You're headed down the home stretch
and I just wondered

if everything was okay.

With the lecture?

Come on, Mac,
at your engagement party.

You know, with us.

I overstepped the boundaries
of a well-wisher and...

I overstepped the bounds
of a bride.

So we're okay?

I think so.

You okay?

L... I just need to finish this lecture.

You're familiar
with naval regulations.

I am, sir.

Including regulations
for the Navy Marine Corps

published in February 1841?

I am, sir.

Do those regulations provide
that persons accused of crimes

have the right to appear
before the tribunal judging them,

to confront witnesses against them,

and to make a case
in their own defence?

I believe they do, sir.

Were these rights extended
to Midshipman Philip Spencer

and the two men hanged with him
aboard the USS Somers?

We did the best we could, sir,
under the circumstances.

The best you could?

That must mean the council of officers
convened by Commander Mackenzie?

Yes, sir. We met and carefully
considered their case.

Without the accused men
being present?

Without the accused men
even knowing

they were being judged.

They were not present
during our deliberations, sir,

but I did conduct an interview
with Mr. Spencer after his arrest.

While he was confined in irons

on the deck?

Yes, sir.

And what he had to say
was very incriminating.

- I cannot help it, sir.
- Help what?

Plotting mutinies.

- You've done this before?
- Yes, sir.

On the John Adams
and the Potomac.

To turn them into pirate ships also?

I have had not a great success
on land, sir.

I imagine a larger way to live.
On the sea, my own master.

It is a fantasy, Mr. Spencer,
and a dangerous one.

I cannot stop.

I've tried, but I cannot.

It's a mania with me.

John Adams and the Potomac,

they were the other ships
Mr. Spencer had served on?

Yes, sir. And he plotted mutinies
on both, by his own admission.

Lieutenant, was there ever a mutiny
on the John Adams or the Potomac?

No, sir.

And for that matter, there wasn't even
a mutiny on the Somers, was there?

Because we prevented it, sir.

Yes. Your evidence.

The list in Greek characters
of Mr. Spencer's accomplices.

Three columns.
The first "Certain," second "Doubtful,"

third, "To be kept with us,
willing or not."

Would you read the list
of the "Certain" accomplices, please?

Mr. Spencer, himself.

I would hope so.

Elisha Small, the quartermaster.

Who was arrested
and hanged with Spencer.

- Daniel McKinley.
- Arrested later and is awaiting trial.

Purser's Steward Wales.

Wales was the man
who turned Spencer in.

Spencer thought
he could trust him, sir.

Very well.
Continue with the "Certain" list.

That is all.

So he had three certain accomplices
among a crew of 120,

and one of the three
was the man who betrayed the plot.

We were
in a dangerous situation, sir.

Commander Mackenzie
apparently felt that way.

Didn't he instruct you to make sure
that the council of officers

would recommend hanging
the three men arrested?

He only instructed me to make sure
that all the evidence was considered.

He was the captain.

It was his option to run things
as he saw fit.

Including your testimony here,
lieutenant?

No, sir.

Hasn't the captain
recommended your promotion?

I object. The question is not relevant,
whether it's true or not.

It's relevant if Commander Mackenzie
has influence over his officers

to do his bidding for him.

Your Honour, this is outrageous.

It is allowed.
The witness may deny it.

The captain did honour me

by commending me
to the Navy Department.

But for merit, sir.

Apparently, the USS Somers
was a veritable wonderland

of excellent sailing.

Commander Mackenzie
has recommended promotions

for every officer on the ship.

Except the ones he hanged.

He was supposed to be
one of our finest officers.

I actually wanted my son
to go to sea under him.

You could not have foreseen
what happened, sir.

Well, I knew my son wasn't perfect,
commander.

I even heard him speak
of becoming a pirate,

but I wasn't a big enough fool
to believe him.

It seems others
believed him as well.

A ship commanded
by a Mohammedan

will become a nest
of Mohammedans.

The captain has influence
over the minds of his men.

Apparently Mackenzie did not have
much influence over your son, sir.

That would've been a strong point
in Philip's favour,

if it hadn't kill him.

Your Honour, I call Mrs. Alexander
Mackenzie to the stand.

The defendant's wife?

Your Honour, she cannot testify
against her husband.

She cannot testify to anything
confided to her by her spouse,

but anything said or done
with a third party present

is already not confidential.

True, but this is still distasteful.

It is my right, Your Honour.

Mr. Griffin may cross-examine
if he chooses.

I do not choose.

Mrs. Mackenzie,
would you please take the stand?

Do you swear that the evidence
you give in this case

shall be the truth, the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth,

- so help you God?
- I do.

Please, be seated.

Mrs. Mackenzie,
while this court was in recess,

were you present
during a conversation

between Commander Mackenzie
and First Lieutenant Gansevoort?

Were you spying on us, sir?

You made no attempt
to conceal yourselves, ma'am.

Because there was no reason
to hide.

- Ma'am, what did the two men say?
- Of you, sir, nothing nice.

Well, I'm not surprised.

Your husband's officers
refused to give me interviews.

Your Honour, there must be
some showing of relevance here.

I will make it apparent, sir.

Ma'am, have you ever heard
your husband or any of his officers

discuss the testimony
they'll give in this court?

I believe I have.

Did you husband
ever make suggestions

- as to how his officers should testify?
- He did not.

Did any of the officers
ever express a desire

to protect Commander Mackenzie?

They did not.

Would you tell us if they did?

Are you now suggesting that I too

am part of some
conspiracy of silence?

No, ma'am. It's only natural.
You do love your husband, don't you?

Ma'am, I only asked
if you loved your husband.

You are under oath.

I don't know.

You don't know what, love?

- Morning, colonel.
- Morning, sir.

Looking a little ragged there.

Gee, not something
you should say to a bride-to-be.

I've been having strange dreams, sir,
about the USS Somers.

Making it personal.

You dream about taking over
a ship, becoming a pirate?

It's beginning to seem
like an attractive option, sir.

Mac, it's just prewedding jitters.

I remember the week
before my wedding...

Well, actually I don't,
but I'm sure I was miserable.

- The marriage damn sure was.
- That's another thing you don't want to

- say to a bride-to-be.
- Say to a bride-to-be.

Mac.

Can we talk?

Why not?

Mac, I value you as a friend,
or whatever.

I know.

But most of all I respect you.

And you've made a choice
to get married and I...

I respect that.

There's a lot of respect
going on there, Harm.

You have the right
to be happy and,

you know, whatever's going
on between us,

or not going on,
I mean, between us.

L...

I want you to be happy.

Even if I'm happy with Brumby?

Do you solemnly swear to tell
the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth,
so help you God?

- I do.
- Be seated.

Commander Mackenzie,

when you first heard
from Purser's Steward Wales

about the mutinous plot
led by Midshipman Spencer,

what did you think?

I assumed Mr. Spencer
had been reading piratical stories

and had amused himself
with Mr. Wales.

So you didn't take him seriously?

At first, no.

What caused you
to change your mind?

I kept a watch on Mr. Spencer
and made enquiries among the men.

I learned he had been asking
about the accuracy

of the ship's chronometer,

the basis of the ship's
navigation system.

I heard he had been seen
in secret conversations

with malcontents among the crew.

He had made a drawing
of a pirate ship

and he had enquired
into the Isle of Pines,

a well-known gathering spot
for pirates.

And he had remarked, sir,
that it would give him great pleasure

to roll me from the round top.

So you arrested him.

But even then,
you intended to return him

to the United States for trial,
did you not?

In accordance with the regulations
for the Navy and Marine Corps.

- Yes.
- Until, as you told the court of enquiry,

you feared an imminent uprising to
seize the prisoners and take the ship?

Yes. Executing the prisoners
made that impossible.

None of the other members
of the plot

had sufficient knowledge
to handle the ship.

One of the reasons my officers,

independently,
recommended the execution.

Sir, on your way home
from the western Atlantic,

did you spy any merchant ships?

Many. All of whom
may very well have suffered

pillage and rape
had I not done what I did.

Thank you, commander.

I have no further questions.

It would've given him pleasure
to roll you from the round top,

he asked about the chronometer
and directions to the Isle of Pines,

he drew a picture of a pirate ship?

Well, there was more, sir.
His conversation with Wales.

Which you thought a fantasy,
that's what you said.

I said at first.

Shall we go in circles all day, sir?

Can you identify this?

That is a watch bill for the execution
prepared by me.

The date, sir.

Thirty, November.

So the day before

your independent council of officers
recommended an execution,

you had made arrangements for it?

I did not ask them
to recommend hanging,

but I believed the facts
would lead them there.

You said the decision
to hang Spencer

and the others
was the most terrible of your life.

Yes.

It was a terrible day.

Mr. Spencer, I've come to inform you
your fellow officers

have reached a decision.

Your life is forfeit to your country.

- When?
- In an hour.

L... I'm not ready to die, captain.

Now is the time
to set an example, Mr. Spencer,

as an officer
to the men you corrupted.

A terrible day.

Yet shortly after your return
to New York,

you proposed your nephew
be appointed midshipman,

the position made vacant
by Mr. Spencer's death.

You cannot be suggesting, sir,

that I hanged Mr. Spencer
to give my nephew a job.

No, I'm questioning whether it was
necessary to hang Spencer at all.

Well, there is no doubt.

You were less than two days sail
from Antigua.

Why not sail there,
unload the accused men

until they could be shipped home
for trial?

Heading towards any foreign port
would've been a sign of weakness

and may very well have inspired
the mutiny I sought to prevent.

Is that what you were afraid of?

Or were you afraid that
Mr. Spencer might not hang at all?

Are you not going too far, captain?

You did not consult me
when making arrangements

for your mutiny, Mr. Spencer.

Does the law justify you?

You may think not,

but I hardly think
you can be objective.

This will kill my mother.

The scandal
will surely tar my father.

If you had succeeded in your mutiny,
Mr. Spencer,

it would've been a greater scandal,
as would taking you home.

How?

How will taking me home for trial
harm him?

He is your father.

He would interfere to save you.

That's what you were afraid of.

Your hasty judgement
might be overturned.

I only meant by interfering,

the Secretary of War
would dishonour himself.

So you hanged his son
to save the Secretary's reputation?

No, I hanged his son
because the threat of mutiny was real.

- You were still the captain.
- The men were plotting.

Your officers had all the guns.

- They were exhausted.
- Were you exhausted?

I may do with little sleep
for many days.

Might that have affected
your state of mind?

Sir, you were not there.

Well, you were missing sleep. You
heard tall tales of mutiny and pirates.

You saw plotters
behind every timber.

Are you suggesting I was deluded?

I'm suggesting you were afraid.

- Sir, if we were not in this setting...
- Commander, I'm not in irons.

You might find me more difficult
to do in than Mr. Spencer.

It is time.

I'm Christian, sir.

Do you think there may be repentance
for me at this late hour?

Our saviour pardoned the thief
on the cross.

Will you pardon me, captain?

Your mutiny, Mr. Spencer,
would've started with my death.

I don't hate you.

It was my fancy to become a pirate.

I thought it an adventure.
A noble adventure.

Noble, Mr. Spencer?

Aye, sir.

I'm sorry, captain.

You may think me a coward,
but judge me again

after you see how I die.

The question before you
was not whether

mutiny was afoot
aboard the USS Somers,

but whether the captain of the Somers
acted honestly

to his own best judgement,

without corrupt motive,
when he concluded there was.

We must put ourselves in his place,

scanning the disaffected faces
of the crew,

breathing the atmosphere
of tension and mistrust,

struggling to confine the arrested men
on a ship so small

they could not be separated
from a mass of men

who might, at any moment,
act to free them.

Did Commander Mackenzie
act precipitously?

Ask the captain of the Bounty,

or of the Hermione,
if he had survived,

whether it is reasonable to hesitate
in the face of such a threat.

Commander Mackenzie
honoured his duty to his ship,

its innocent crew members,

and an untold number
of merchant ships.

He did not have the leisure
to question his own decisions.

Neither should we.

What kind of Navy do we want?

One where a captain
caught up in rumour and random acts

can, without proof or trial,
snuff out the lives of men

given no opportunity
to defend themselves?

Or one where all men
are treated fairly,

command bows to decency,

and law is honoured
above the noose?

Warship captains, for centuries,

have made themselves
into kings afloat.

And in that tradition,
Commander Mackenzie acted.

But this nation fought a revolution
to rid itself of a king.

And its Navy should reflect
the principles we bled and died for

and not the despotism
that we overthrew.

I respectfully ask you

to send that message now
to Commander Mackenzie

and to future generations of officers
in the United States Navy.

Commander Mackenzie,
you will rise.

On the first charge against you,
conduct unbecoming an officer,

this court martial finds the case

not proven.

On the second charge, oppression,

this court martial finds the case

not proven.

On the third charge,
unnecessary cruelty,

this court martial finds the case

not proven.

On the fourth charge,
illegal punishment,

this court martial finds the case

not proven.

On the fifth charge,

murder onboard a United States
vessel on the high seas,

this court martial finds the case

not proven.

Ready to go?

You okay?

Yeah. Yeah. I'm... I'm finished.

Great. How'd the trial end?

Not guilty on all counts.

Must've been a relief for the captain.

Not entirely.

It was customary back then

to commend an officer
who was acquitted of misconduct,

to clear his reputation completely.

Commander Mackenzie's
court martial

specifically stated
it was not commending him.

A slap in the face.

He never really recovered.

He died five years later
at the age of 45.

The Somers sank two years
before that in the Mexican War.

Well, if we leave now,
we can be in Annapolis for dinner.

Well, knock them dead.