NARRATOR: If you remember Pearl Harbor,
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 Guadalcanal,
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
authorized 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
(PHONE RINGING)
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 harbor, so shrouded in mystery
that it was known only as "somewhere in the South Pacific."
Here, the U.S. Seventh 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 battlewagons 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 copra trade.
The Navy had not only gratefully received it from New Zealand
as a sort of reverse 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.
(BLOWING WHISTLE)
Duck!
Bring that gear aboard.
Welcome aboard, sir.
What? Belay that racket!
You want the whole flotilla to hear us? What is this?
Honors for the prospective commanding officer, sir.
The officer in commission shall see that all honors and ceremonies...
This hulk is commissioned? As what?
HANSON: It's unclassified, sir.
CRANDALL: I can believe that.
JOHNSON: Duck!
Sorry, sir. All right, bear a hand, 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.
How many men have you lost so far?
None, sir, just a few cuts and bruises.
Oh, don't forget Miller, sir.
Oh, yeah. Yeoman Miller, sir.
Transferred to the hospital ship.
JOHNSON: Oh, he's a real nut, sir.
I told him to look out for the hatch, and he thought I wanted a match, and...
(RAZZING)
Thanks, Johnson.
You can take this man below and show him where to stow his gear.
All right, sir.
What is all this malarkey about this ship being commissioned?
It's true, sir. Admiral Hathaway had me commission her
and sign her over to you. The papers are in your stateroom.
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.
Sorry, sir. Hanson, sir. Ensign Thomas J.
Let's sit down.
My name is Crandall. Rip Crandall.
I know that. I'd have recognized you, even if they hadn't told me.
You know me from someplace?
Balboa. The California Yacht Club.
You were getting ready for the Honolulu race in '39.
What did you do? Crew for me? Or...
I tried to, sir.
You're not the kid that fouled up the genoa jib?
(CHUCKLING) Oh, gee.
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. 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?
I don't know. Kind of slim, blond hair.
And a blackguard Nazi! That nose...
Sir? What does he do here?
Flight secretary to the Admiral.
Yes, 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?
You're right. It isn't.
I'll get the ship's boat in the water so you can take it.
Do that, Bill. Tommy. Wait a minute. You got a copy of the Navy regs?
In the top left-hand drawer, sir.
Thank you.
Anything wrong?
No. It's just that I do everything by the book, you know.
Your gear, sir. I already got that gaff secured.
The gaff. Chief.
Watch...
For your information, it's not a gaff, it's a boom. The main boom.
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 the rest of these clowns know anything...
Beg pardon, sir.
My last hitch was on The Hamill, the tender alongside, sir.
(CHUCKLING) And you volunteered, too?
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 fifth hitch.
And the chief's mess gave him kind of a testimonial,
and I figured a party is no good without 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 unauthorized civilian personnel
are not allowed on naval installations.
Particularly tenders, the skipper said.
So he gave me my choice of being busted or grabbing 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.
(CREAKING)
If you don't mind, 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 going to be around to tell him anyway.
Leaving the ship.
HANSON: 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. 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, coming through.
Right this way, sir.
Family entrance?
Dock is on the port side, sir.
Show the captain the quarterdeck, sailor.
Welcome aboard, sir.
With him in command, we could sail right into Tokyo Bay.
I'd settle for just getting out of the harbor.
He can do that blindfolded.
Yes, sir, but I don't think he's going to. He didn't take them papers, sir.
He forgot them. He must have.
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, Boats, throw the hook over the side.
(WHISTLE BLOWING)
(MOTOR WHIRRING)
(WHISTLE BLOWING)
Just put your foot in there and hold on tight, sir.
Jack, don't forget to tell him to get a transfer.
Yeah! You have to switch over when you get up there, sir.
Okay, let's go.
Easy, Leahy! Take it up!
Okay, Boats, bring him up.
(WHISTLE BLOWING)
(WHISTLE BLOWS)
If you're looking for your brother,
he's in a scow on the other side of this monster.
No, sir. It's me, sir. Tommy.
The chief had the ship's crane put me on the dock.
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?
Yeah, but you know, junior officers have to get in and get out.
I was hoping you'd have dinner with us.
I'd like the fellows to meet my new skipper.
Thanks, Tommy, but I'm not your skipper yet.
You see, I haven't signed those papers in your pocket.
Yeah. I figured you forgot them, so I brought them along.
You really didn't forget them, did you?
You didn't 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'll be surprised.
If it's on account of me, sir, don't worry,
you can get another junior officer.
Wait. Look, kid, this has nothing to do with you.
It's just that I don't want to get stuck on that ship, you see?
But it sails, sir. And it might have an important mission.
Tommy, if it was the Vanderbilt yacht, I wouldn't want it, kid.
Do you see all those ships?
That's only a fraction of the Japanese fleet.
Do you want to go up against that in the Echo?
Yeah, maybe you're right.
I guess I'll have to give these to Commander Vandewater myself.
(SIGHS)
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.
(TYPING)
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
VANDEWATER: How do we set up now, Maggie?
Corporal Hathaway's office called at 1700, sir. Colonel Harris at 1705.
Briefing's at 1830.
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. Send him in, please.
Yes, sir.
Permission to secure at 1800, sir?
Permission to... Oh. Sure.
And get me Admiral Hathaway, would you?
843.
(IN AUSTRALIAN ACCENT) Tell me, once you secure at 1800,
what would you be doing, Maggie?
Keeping a date at 1801.
With the base efficiency expert, of course.
Of course.
Stun the crows.
MAGGIE: Flag secretary returning the admiral's call.
Yes, sir. Got it right here, sir.
Somewhere. (WHISPERING) Hi, I'll be right with you.
Yeah.
Sir? Absolutely, sir.
1900 in your quarters, sir. Yes, sir.
1900.
What is 1900, anyway?
7:00. I might have known you had your finger in this.
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 USS Echo?
Echo?
Say, is that the racing sloop...
Oh. Joke's over. I've been aboard this career-wrecker.
I was hoping you'd report here first, so that I...
You could con me into it?
(LAUGHING)
She's a brute, isn't she? Uh-huh.
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 getting funnier by the minute.
No, 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 sailed 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.
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 favor for an old sailing buddy.
Rip, I swear it, your name popped out of the IBM machine
with five or six other ex-yachtsmen,
none of whom I would trust with a canoe.
Mmm-hmm.
And if you don't think it's a favor, I heard about your fitness report.
That popped up, too?
You should get your next promotion around 1980.
Come on. Now, look.
All you've 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 five 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?
The ship's to be turned over to the port detachment in Moresby.
What they'll do with it, I don't know. 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'll 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 buying a used car?
(CHUCKLING)
How much time do I have to train, Van?
A couple of days, maybe.
Or more. Let's see, to be in Moresby...
Not a chance.
Now, look, Rip,
I don't want to have to lean on you, but if I have to...
You'd have done it when I first walked in.
I don't have to take that ship.
Don't have to face a court-martial, either.
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...
All right!
For a direct commission you got to be a sea lawyer in a hell of a hurry.
Skipper had me memories 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.
The kid? But that's insane. He couldn't.
You know as well as I do he doesn't have the experience.
Do I? 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?
Nothing, sir. He just told me to stand by.
There might be new orders for the Echo tomorrow, sir.
What are you doing here, anyway?
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 hoping you might have dinner with us, sir.
Oh. Sorry, I didn't mean to be so suspicious.
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, they'll have to give you a command.
Good officers are scarce.
Command? If Admiral Dewey was still running the Navy,
I'd be a big man, but he ain't.
"Ironsides" Hathaway is.
Where did you say that Officers' Club was?
Over there, in back of the shelter.
I would like a double anything.
Yes, sir.
Do you have any chit? 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... Never mind.
This is the officer I was telling you about, Arthur.
Lieutenant Crandall? 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.
If you need an extra hand, I sure would like a transfer.
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 two years as a deckhand before the war. Right, Arthur?
Right, sir. The Old Escobar out of Frisco. But that was power.
And there's nothing like sail, is there, Lieutenant?
(MAN KNOCKING)
Coming right up, gentlemen.
You know, once the sea gets in your blood, I guess you never get rid of it, 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 thing up.
No, sir. Not until I saw your name on the orders this morning.
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.
I told you before. That was five years ago...
Excuse me, sir.
The two gentlemen with the nurse are waiting for you, sir.
Thanks. Won't you join us, sir? I told them about you, too.
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.
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.
(WHISPERING) Arthur.
Would you like me to freshen it up a bit, sir?
You're gonna freshen that up?
(LAUGHING) You can't fly on one wing, sir.
(LAUGHING UNCOMFORTABLY)
Thanks, Jimmy. And don't bother to wait.
Yes, ma'am. Thanks.
Coming through. Pardon me, gentlemen.
Do one of these. Kid, I got one that will stop you.
(PLAYING PIANO)
Okay.
(SCATTING)
* Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
* And miss it each night and day?
* I know I'm not wrong
* The feeling's getting stronger
* The longer I stay away
* Miss the moss-covered vines
* The tall sugar pines
* Where mockin' birds used to sing
* And I'd like to see
* The lazy Mississippi
* A-hurryin' into spring
* The moonlight on the bayou
* A Creole tune that fills the air
* I dream about magnolias in June
* And soon I'm wishing that I was there
(SCATTING)
* Do you know what it means
* To miss New Orleans
* When that's where you left your heart?
* And there's somethin' more
* I miss the one I care for
* More than I miss New Orleans *
Wonderful, boy.
Tommy, you're magnificent. Wonderful.
Hanson, you were the... Wait a minute.
Where are you going? We're just getting warmed up.
We should get back to the ship, sir.
We have to get the anchor watch set. Ship's security.
Yeah, you're right. I'll just finish this.
Here he comes. I love your work.
From the time we came in here this afternoon,
this guy's kept my glass filled with whiskey so you can shanghai me.
Where'd you get "we gotta go back to the ship" business?
Will you fill me with the sauce and then...
No, sir. You left your gear over there.
And you haven't got a place to stay.
Until you're reassigned, I mean.
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 needling you all night long
and you haven't done anything to deserve it.
It's just something is eating 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.
Leave it there and I'll pick it up sometime.
Give me a chance to see the hulk again. And you.
Thank you, sir. Good night, 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. 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's your date? He gets around better than I thought.
This is official Navy business, sir.
I have some documents which must be signed by 2300.
There you go with those numbers again.
Ensign Hanson just left, ma'am.
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.
It's in connection with Ensign Hanson's ship, the Echo.
I see. 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 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. Give me the papers.
I want to see the swindle Vandewater's trying to pull.
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, his ship's down at the end of the dock.
I can send a fellow over for him.
You're a little over-trained.
If you're not careful, I'll have you transferred to the Echo.
ARTHUR: 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 down to 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. ARTHUR: Bye, sir.
Now, Lieutenant, look. I told you, the Admiral wants those papers signed by...
They will be. You got a pen?
Yes, sir.
But they have to be signed by the officer taking command.
I know that. Give me the pen.
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.
Shut up.
(SIGHS) Well, mission accomplished.
Good work, Hanson.
Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.
I guess. Good night.
(WHISTLES)
Shark Bait, will you just try to stay with it?
I'm sorry, Chief.
Good morning, sir.
Hmm.
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.
(GULPS)
What was in that?
That was an egg, sir. And Mr...
I thought it'd settle the grounds, 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?
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 traveler. Good morning, sir.
(WHISPERING) This to that.
This is supposed to be the winch?
Huh? Oh, I beg your pardon, sir.
Winch? Yeah.
No, sir. This is a spark plug, sir.
I was talking about the engine itself. This is the power takeoff?
Beats me, sir. Mr. Hanson just told me to get it running.
I see. What's your name?
Sparks, sir.
Radioman, Second Class, sir.
Yes, all radiomen are called Sparks.
I mean, what is your actual name?
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 Sr.
But he darn near died laughing.
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!
Chief, get a load of this.
Man the fore halyards.
Man the fore halyards!
HANSON: Stand by the foresheets.
CHIEF: 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!
(CREW LAUGHING)
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?
Hmm?
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 three 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, any man who 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?
(BELL RINGING)
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...
(SIGHS)
Men eat yet?
Yes, sir. They ate real good.
Kind of quiet, but real quick.
What do you mean, "quiet"?
Sir, a couple of them said something about seeing Mr. Hanson and the chief.
They wanted to see Hanson and the...
(CREW CHANTING)
CREW: 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.
CREW: Gaff, foresail, gasket.
Gaff, foresail, gasket.
Callahan, standing or running rigging?
Blue standing, red running... Running rigging, Chief.
Sheet or halyard? You.
Sheets, trims, sails, halyards, hoists. Halyard, Chief.
Which one?
I don't know.
They'll know her by tomorrow, sir.
With your permission,
the crew'd 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.
(LAUGHING)
Horse, stand by the foresheet. Halyards to the winch!
Come on, you told me you'd get that thing working.
Sure. When do you want it for?
Now, you idiot. You think you're back in that service station?
(LAUGHING)
Take up the slack.
Set the foresail, Chief.
CHIEF: Aye, aye, sir.
Stand by the mainsail. Engage the winch.
Spark! I'm trying!
(MOTOR WHIRRING)
Hoist away!
(CREAKING)
Take it easy! You'll rip the mast out.
Slack it easy.
It's stuck. Heave!
(WINCH SPUTTERING)
It's stuck, sir.
Yeah.
Did you grease the mast? 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!
(CREAKING)
CRANDALL: It's still stuck. You get a man up on the rig and kick the gaff jaws loose.
I'll go myself, sir.
One volunteer. You.
There's nothing to it, sailor.
Yeah? 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 nothing 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. CRANDALL: 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. 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.
(SCREAMING)
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 coming.
I'm slipping. My hands are slipping. I'll fall.
Stop that! Wanna land on someone?
Got you.
Let go with your left hand.
(GROANING)
Oh, boy.
I would've fell.
If you hadn't been here, I'd have let go.
Never.
Hang on, I'm going up and kick her free.
Okay.
Hang on, kid. All right, lower it away, Mr. Hanson. It's free.
All right, lower away, Chief.
CHIEF: Slow now, slow. Slow.
Pull what you got.
(WINCH CHUGGING)
(WINCH SPUTTERING)
(BELL RINGING)
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?
For Pete's sake, I'm gonna miss it. It's leaving.
He's afraid of missing that?
Wait for me! Wait! Come on! Wait for me!
I made it.
Yeah. Nice going, sailor.
Now, bear a hand on the bowline.
We're just coming into the dock.
(ENGINE IDLING)
Say, you have got a few, haven't you?
He's a nut. But he's eager. Here goes nothing.
You'll be back before you know it.
Just be sure I am.
The order's on my desk.
See 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?
My, that'd be...
Yes, we might. Good luck, old boy.
Good landing. 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.
(SHIP HORN BLARING)
Come left, mister.
I said, come left. You're cutting across the bow.
It's no use. She won't answer the helm.
Did you drop the centerboard? Get up there and do it!
Go down and give me full speed astern.
Sparks, back full quick!
SPARKS: Back full, sir.
(SHIP HORN BLARING)
Not another one!
Come on with that centerboard!
Come on, you monster.
Centerboard down and locked, sir.
Full speed astern, sir.
Full speed ahead!
CHIEF: Full speed ahead!
Right, sir. Full ahead, sir!
(GEARS JARRING)
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.
While you're at it, you might notify air-sea rescue
to be on the lookout for a ship in distress.
(SHIP HORN BLARING)
Now what?
I think that Australian ship's saluting us.
They always cheered the Christians before they threw them to the lions.
You getting the sail up? Yes.
I'll be right up.
He's off to port.
Sparks, kill that eggbeater.
Yes, sir!
What are you doing here? Thought you left an hour ago.
The weather report said winds up to hurricane force in the Coral Sea.
I thought you might have a message.
From that little boat, I mean.
Ship.
They're under orders not to break radio silence, remember?
You're really worried.
Did you fall for that wild man?
Oh, no.
Mind you, he was kind of cute.
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.
(THUNDER RUMBLING)
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.
She rode out a storm Tuesday night and was sighted from the air yesterday.
From the position report, they'll raise the New Guinea coast...
Don't guess, Commander. I want to know.
That ship is a vital part of joint operations.
The Echo, sir? The Echo.
What do you know about an officer named Foster?
Lieutenant Dennis M. Foster.
Why, nothing, sir. Should I, sir?
He's been assigned to take the Echo to Cape Gloucester.
Cape Gloucester on New Britain, sir?
Why, that's enemy territory.
Very good, Vandewater.
It also happens to be an excellent place to watch Japanese ship movements.
For the past six or seven months,
the Australians have had a coast watcher there doing that.
Then, two 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.
A sub couldn't drop the man off at night?
What was the Spearfish doing in the Solomon sea last week?
Uncharted reefs will make it impossible to get anywhere near the coast.
And an airdrop is out of the question.
No, it's got to be a shallow draft vessel like the Echo.
The Australian replacement is in Moresby waiting for the ship to arrive.
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.
I'll get Lieutenant Foster's file out immediately.
I've got it right here.
Oh.
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 few 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.
That means I can hold Crandall here as long as I like.
That make you any happier about Foster?
I've got nothing against the bloke.
He's just not the type that I'd pick for a mate.
He's a good officer.
The best. A real sterling character.
But if you can have this Crandall bloke,
why can't he stay in command?
Because his job is to acquaint Foster with the Echo, that's why.
Oh.
Of course, we could try sending you in again in another sub.
Now, wait a minute.
I'm crazy about Foster.
Where is that flaming ship, anyway?
Simmer down, Pat.
She'll be along.
On deck!
CRANDALL: What's that?
I can make out a pier in the harbor, sir.
Nan. Easy. Roger. King.
That's her, Mr. Foster, the Echo.
FOSTER: I was afraid of that. A tub.
All right.
Contact and please pass the word to stand by for special instructions.
Aye, aye, sir.
There's a building at the shore end.
That must be the port detachment.
Fine. Sparks, ready on the engine. Some navigation, mister.
Have the boatswain stand by to down sail.
Sir! What's the trouble?
I wish I knew. I can't get it started.
I checked the ignition system, the valves, the pumps.
I'm going through the fuel lines.
Can we take her in under canvas?
No room to maneuver in there.
We'd be going in in style.
In style? As long as we don't end up on the beach.
How long is it gonna take you to fix it?
If I can find the trouble, not long. But if I can't?
We have orders to get in as fast as we can. Get with it.
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.
No reason to get excited. It's a tricky maneuver.
If you handle your duties as well as you've been doing, we'll be all right.
There's one very important thing.
We'll be on the wind when we fetch that dock.
I must come up fast, lose weight,
try to coast alongside, understand?
When we start to luff...
That's when the sails flap?
Right. I want every inch of canvas down as fast as possible.
Mister, stand by to come about.
Man the sheets. Keep a close haul.
Tell the man up the crosstrees to watch the gaff jaws.
I don't want them sticking again.
Aye, aye, sir. Guys, keep your eye on the...
(GUNS FIRING)
Somebody's firing at us.
Over us, so far.
(GUNS FIRING)
What did we do? Lose the war already?
Sparks!
Who's responsible for firing on that ship?
I was trying to warn them, sir.
They've not answered our transmission and don't know of harbor defenses.
She's already in the harbor!
Did it ever occur to you she might be on a radio silence?
They're coming any minute. Get down and warn him off.
Yes, sir.
Where are you?
I'm sorry, I can't get the engine started.
Get the transmitter. I want to know who fired on us and why.
I can't do that either. It doesn't put out without the engine.
CHIEF: 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 them?
They're going right into it.
Got them now, sir.
Tell them.
(STUTTERS)
What do you got?
"You are
"approaching..."
Cancel it, they're already in it.
Tell them quick.
Canceled. Restart, sir.
All they're telling us is we're approaching a navy dock.
"You are
"in
"a
"fine
"area." Isn't that nice?
Must be the chamber of commerce. What are they saying?
Excuse me, sir. That "F" was an "M."
That's different.
"You are in a mine area."
Mine area? Get directions, quick!
Lookout, keep your eyes peeled for subsurface objects.
There's something there now, sir!
Dead ahead!
There they are! Two of them! Dead ahead, sir!
Orderly!
LOOKOUT: Another one, sir. Off the port bow.
Man the back stage. Go forward, get that centerboard up.
She won't answer the helm.
It won't make any difference if we hit a mine. Go on.
They request we move inshore, sir.
Get back to that engine, quick.
HANSON: 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.
HANSON: We're all clear, sir.
Roger.
CHIEF: On deck!
Low waters ahead, sir.
Lower away all sails, Tommy.
Drop that centerboard. Sparks, put it forward.
Lower away all sails! Let's get this down.
The gaff jaws are stuck again.
Kick that gaff jaw free.
OFFICER: Centerboard down, sir.
Right!
You monster, come about.
Sir, we're closing on the dock.
What? Back full, Sparks!
(HISSING)
Sir, we're gonna ram the dock.
No. Go forward and get ready to let go of the anchor starboard.
Aye, aye, sir.
CHIEF: 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.
Go forward and rig the fenders on the port side.
Shark Bait, let go of the anchor and hold it underfoot.
Man overboard!
(CRASHING)
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?
HANSON: I'm sorry, Lieutenant. This is a centerboard ship...
A ship?
Why, I was under the impression that it was a USO Tour.
This is an official Navy ship, sir.
The crew is doing the best they could under the circumstances.
This crew is doing the best they can?
I suggest you take this crew out for about six months.
Who the hell do you think you're talking to?
This is my ship.
Anything this crew does is under my orders.
If you have any further remarks about this ship or my crew,
you come aboard and make them to me.
Throw the sails.
Astern to.
Thank you for your invitation, Captain.
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?
As soon as you report your arrival to the port captain.
I would be obliged if you do that as quickly as possible.
(DEJECTEDLY) Furl the sails.
Mmm-hmm.
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?
You don't think we brought that ship up here just for the ride?
Oh, I'm sorry, Lieutenant. The mission is top secret.
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 Britain? 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?
(CLEARING THROAT) Yes, sir.
Uh-huh. Fine.
I have Admiral Hathaway's permission to hold you here
until you can familiarize Foster with Echo.
I know you're anxious to get back to town...
That's all right.
It would take some time for the men to get used to a new skipper.
It won't take more than 48 hours.
I don't suppose you would be...
(KNOCKING ON DOOR) DAVIS: Sir?
Yes, Davis, what is it?
Air Force reports enemy bombers over the Solomon Sea.
Uh-huh.
They expect a raid in 20 to 25 minutes.
Mr. Patterson and the native corporal are in the briefing room.
Shall I ask them to wait for the all clear?
The lieutenant and I will be over directly.
Yes, sir.
Warn Echo. Tell those air force people to clear the dock.
DAVIS: Yes, sir.
They're going up to make the intercept.
Our CIC Room is over here.
RADIO OPERATOR: Bogie 1 appears to be splitting.
MAN: Designated raids. One Abel and one Baker.
RADIO OPERATOR: One Baker.
0-5-5. 43.
We know there's a convoy building up here over BAM.
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, they'll land at Lae.
They'd be a month coming 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.
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?
Yeah.
Then we can hope, with Pat's help, to get a visual sighting from the land.
Mmm-hmm.
Would it be difficult to drop Mr. Patterson and the corporal by parachute?
If you ask me, it'd be flaming impossible.
I'd as soon go in with a brass band and a neon light on my hat.
Besides, I don't like aeroplanes.
(MUFFLED EXPLOSIONS)
Or air raids, either. Goodbye, all.
Stick around a few minutes.
They'll be concentrating on the airstrips.
Yeah, and they might miss, too.
Don't you get any wrong ideas about Patterson, Lieutenant.
If it weren't for him and 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 Solomons.
Patterson and that native corporal of his
have spent the last six months right here in the hills
constantly in danger from Japanese patrols
and just as constantly sending us our vital information.
So don't...
(PLANES ROARING PAST)
Now, they're entitled to sit this one out, son.
RADIO OPERATOR: One baker. 0-5-0.
One baker should be overhead in two minutes.
OFFICER: Very well.
You have air cover as far as the Trobriands here.
Across the Solomon Sea, you'll just have to pray
that the enemy thinks you're a native trading vessel.
(EXPLOSION)
That'll be two, maybe three days. Right, Crandall?
Oh, I'm sorry, sir. This is the first time my crew's been under fire.
I'm afraid it won't be the last.
No, sir. (CLEARING THROAT) Let me see, three days, you say?
If you took off from here at dusk, and you were sharp on celestial navigation,
it could be two nights and a day.
Foster is a qualified navigator.
Thank you, sir.
You have a few days to acquaint him with the ship's peculiarities.
That won't be necessary. Thank you.
Mmm-hmm.
If this weather front does move down, you'll have to do some dead reckoning.
Why don't you let me worry about that?
(EXPLOSION)
Pardon me, but they're swinging in over the harbor.
Everybody but the duty section should be in the slit trenches.
What? Your own orders, sir.
Oh.
(EXPLOSIONS CONTINUE)
Welcome to the club.
Where's he going?
To be with his ship, I imagine.
Quite a bloke, that Crandall.
Duck!
(YELLING)
(ALL YELLING)
The port captain's here, skipper.
Kind of soggy out, isn't it, Crandall?
Yes, sir.
We could run up the coast for a few miles.
I can show the lieutenant how the ship handles.
That won't be possible now.
The size of that air raid shows the Japanese are building up to something.
Air force wants Echo underway as soon as possible.
I see, sir.
Get underway as soon as you've accomplished the transfer.
Aye, sir.
Bring your papers to my office.
We'll see about arranging air transport for you to Australia.
Yes, sir.
After you, Captain.
(KNOCK AT DOOR)
McCLUNG: Yes, come in, Crandall.
What're you doing here? Why aren't you underway?
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?
(ECHO CHUGGING)
He's taking it out himself, sir. See?
Yes, he is, isn't he?
My ship in that minefield again.
He knows where those mines are now.
Aren't you going to order him back, sir?
The Air Force would demand an explanation
for the delay, and...
Sir, this is a court-martial offense.
What, Lieutenant?
I said this is a court-martial offense, 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, and I've covered over 100 miles of it.
LOOKOUT: On deck!
What is it?
Another enemy aircraft on the starboard quarter
closing in on us, sir.
HANSON: You'd better get below, sir.
Same orders stands! Don't fire unless they fire first!
Hold fire.
Drop dead, you creeps.
Blow a couple of gaskets!
Yeah.
Looks okay, sir. They're waving back.
(SPEAKING JAPANESE)
Dogs.
I hope that's the last of them. This thing's starting to itch.
It is. With that weather front coming, be lucky to make home.
Flaming shame if we didn't.
Run forward and tell cook to barbecue poultry for dinner.
We need a decent meal for tonight's work.
We'll hit that front in one hour.
By midnight, it'll be darker than 3-4 feet down a cow's throat.
How will we see the reef?
Nothing to it.
You can hear the surf pounding on the reef for miles.
Fine. How do we know how much water's under us?
That depends on the size of the waves, don't it?
Don't worry, I can take you through there with my head in a bag.
Yeah, you may have to.
Yeah?
Thanks for trying anyhow, Major.
Yeah, I'll be seeing 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 about that observation flight sent from there?
Canceled due to the weather.
You can bet the Japs didn't cancel that convoy.
If we'd just gotten that ship underway one day sooner.
CRANDALL: Lower away all sails.
Stand by the engine. I want full power going over that reef.
CRANDALL: Tommy, take the deck.
Where did you say this inlet was?
PATTERSON: Straight ahead. Through those trees.
CRANDALL: Right.
At least the Air Force has been up here.
They sure worked that one over.
I guess so, sir.
(BIRD SQUAWKING)
Lead him.
I can knock that teacup right out of his dukes.
Don't.
He may have friends, like about 200,000 of them.
Just keep your eye on them. Don't get itchy.
You were going to glide through the jungle like a ghost.
This looks like Hannibal crossing the Alps.
Take off.
I'm gonna be here a long time. I like my comfort now and then.
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.
I'll hide this stuff there till I'm ready to move on.
It'll take them hours to get up there.
What am I to do? Wait here like a sitting duck?
Who's gonna know? You're tucked in here real nice and cozy.
The Japanese Navy never spotted you, did they?
Where are you going?
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?
Give him a chance to stretch his legs and look at the countryside.
Hanson, come...
Thanks for the boat ride.
I'll radio your regards to Captain McClung.
Thanks.
I'll bring them back safe and sound.
You better, or don't come back yourself.
On the bow.
How do my men find their way back here?
No problem.
Those masts of yours stick up like a lighthouse in the fog.
(SHOUTING)
Good on you, mate.
You.
Get out of here with those whites.
They'll spot you for two miles.
(SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE)
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.
Let's go.
(WHISPERING)
(RADIO BEEPING)
A little different up here.
It's beautiful.
It's hard to believe.
Your first stiff, kid?
Yeah.
There'll be a lot more of them.
No cup of tea, this war.
Chief,
Goroka will show you where to dig my stuff in.
You'll have no trouble finding 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're gonna stay down there in the jungle?
Till the Japs get me.
Or our blokes come down and run them out of here.
Don't worry about it.
Just reckon I'm crazy enough to get a kick out of it.
That don't mean I wanna stay here forever.
You do your best to keep the Navy moving.
Goroka, we go along now.
Stay awake. I'm awake.
SHARK BAIT: Give me some air, will you?
(POULTRY CLUCKING)
Coffee, skipper?
Shark Bait,
secure that boom crutch. I want to move fast when they get back.
SHARK BAIT: Yes, sir.
(MOSQUITO BUZZING)
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, 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.
We've got to get back to the ship.
All right, guys. Let's haul it.
Come on, let's go.
Get going.
Sir, so the war lasts five minutes longer.
It'll be dark in an hour.
Can I help you? I'm all right.
Sir, I saw the mast. They're right below us.
Go ahead.
Last time I ran like this, four MPs were on my tail.
Rip! Listen up!
Rip! Rip!
CHIEF: Wait a minute.
HANSON: Rip?
Yeah, come in, kid.
We saw the convoy. It was...
Let him talk. Makes no difference now.
(ORDERING IN JAPANESE)
Tommy, I'd like you to meet Captain Shigetsu. UCLA, '38.
Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. So, you saw our convoy?
Move over there where I can watch you.
Not now, kid. No, later.
As you were saying, you saw our convoy.
Where were you, and what were you doing when you saw it?
My name is Thomas Hanson, Ensign, United States Naval Reserve.
No use. 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 Sea yesterday.
You certainly weren't in uniform then.
Shall we get back to details of the mission?
Let's get back to the Rose Bowl game.
Okay, but Major Samada's gonna ask you the same questions.
Very educated man, the major.
Really? I'm Stanford myself.
In that case, it'll be my pleasure to assist the major in his questioning.
(CHUCKLING)
He's a big one. I thought they were all little jokers.
Shut up. What happened to you clowns? Asleep?
They were on us like tents. We didn't have a chance.
(RADIO BEEPING)
It's for me. I'll get it.
(SHOUTING)
(SHOUTING IN JAPANESE)
Real brass.
Lay you eight-to-five he braces the sergeant.
(SPEAKING JAPANESE)
You'll rise when the major enters.
Sure, we will.
You better. Okay.
Do me a favor. It's there, right there. That's it.
I don't think they'd look good here with the major coming down.
Thank you.
Close the door.
Ow! I won't tell you anything more!
(LAUGHING)
Good boy. Get the guns.
Get below. Prime that engine. Give me back full when I yell.
You want these? There are too many.
What're you gonna do?
Like I know! Get on the engine.
(CLANKING)
Chief, look aft.
Sarge.
Didn't I meet you in Singapore once?
(JAPANESE OFFICER SHOUTING)
I remember, you used to hang out at that high kickers club
in Saigon, huh?
CRANDALL: Duck!
Go, Tommy! Give it full, and get up here on this machine gun!
(GRUNTS)
(GUNS FIRING)
(SHOUTING)
Sparks, on the engine.
Chief, drop the centerboard.
Give me full ahead.
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.
Sorry, sir. The engine flooded out going over the reef.
Who needs it? Stand by to make sail.
OFFICER: Aye, aye, sir!
Get this overboard so we can raise the mainsail.
Port Moresby trying to reach us, sir.
Good. Get on that thing and tell him what you saw.
I can't transfer without the engine, sir.
Fix it.
HANSON: Look out, Rip!
(GUNSHOT)
Don't shoot.
Keep going.
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.
I can transmit now, sir.
We'll contact them.
If you do, you kill your captain...
Shut up, you crumb.
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 will be hospitalized.
We have excellent Japanese doctors.
Sir.
Send it. SHIGETSU: It's insane.
(EXHALING)
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 four thumbs?
I told you so.
HANSON: At 1600, heading west.
Break out the life raft, Chief.
Yes, sir.
Message received, sir.
HANSON: Get that life raft over the side!
How's he doing?
I'm okay. Let's get out of here.
We're hit in the forward hull.
We're taking water fast.
You abandon ship.
Abandon ship!
Come on.
Aren't you gonna stay and die for the rising sun?
You out of your mind?
JOHNSON: He's got a pretty high fever, sir.
SHIGETSU: Can still fire flares. Japanese nurses very good.
One more crack out of you and you're in the water.
Sir, I hear a plane.
(AIRPLANE APPROACHING)
There it is!
It's a PBY.
Looks like UCLA blew another one.
NARRATOR: 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 straits
between New Guinea and New Britain,
and in a two-day running battle, wreaked total destruction on it.
(GUNFIRE)
(EXPLOSIONS)
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 II.
Of considerably less importance,
yet of vital interest to us,
is the fact that six 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.
(BLOWING WHISTLE)
Belay that racket. You want the whole area to hear us?
As a matter of fact, sir, yes.
Stations for getting underway.
Weigh her to side!
What did you say about going ashore and speaking to the admiral?
You weren't interested in anymore special missions.
I can let the man talk, can't I?