My name is Joe Rossi.
I'm first mate on this tanker
steaming north to join the eastbound convoy,
and we got 100,000 barrels of high-test gas
slopping in our holds--
stuff that makes tanks roar and planes fly.
Where are we heading?
Well, this is war.
We're shipping under sealed orders,
but it's in the right direction.
Ow!
Fog's coming in.
Get it, mister?
Yeah, skipper.
Been running through patches of it for half an hour.
The main bank's over there to port.
Ow!
See something, mister?
No. It's my tooth again.
I got a mouthful of little dwarves with red-hot pickaxes.
You had that toothache on our last voyage.
Why didn't you get it fixed when we were in port?
When I'm in port, I want to see something
better-looking than a dentist.
You rate a toothache.
Right, sir...
As punishment for my sins.
It would take more than a toothache to pay for your sins.
Women--Honolulu, port said,
cape town.
Police in Singapore.
I reckon you been in trouble
in every deep-water port in the world.
I can't think of any I missed.
Fog's going to shut in thick before dawn.
Yeah.
Parker!
Yes, sir?
Pass the word to the boatswain. Double lookout, fore and aft.
Aye, sir.
Expecting trouble, sir?
You're here to learn, Parker.
Here's your first lesson.
It's an old law of the sea.
Don't ask questions when you're given an order.
Yes, sir.
That kid's going to be all right.
Remember when you were his age, skipper?
Yes, mister, I remember.
When I was as old as Parker,
I'd sailed around the horn in a square-rigger.
Came up the forecastle myself, but we haven't time
to train kids that way nowadays.
How else can you learn?
By rigging kids in a cadet's uniform
and sticking his nose in a book?
Why don't you give him a chance? He'll catch on.
The difference between you and me, skipper--
one of the differences is--
you remember the grief.
I remember the fun.
Next time we get in port, see a dentist...
First.
The last tub I shipped out on was so old,
I found a pair of Christopher Columbus' cuff links
in the locker.
Did she have a gun?
Certainly it had a gun on her!
But if we'd ever had to fire it, ship would've fallen apart.
Ok, deal me in.
This here bellywash gets worse every day.
If it's bellywash, don't have to drink it.
All right, then. It's hogwash.
Peaches, lap her up.
You been robbing my canned cow again?
What will we use for milk this trip, bilge water?
Lay off! Peaches has got to have her cream.
You keep out of my galley,
or I'll cut your liver out and feed it to the cat.
I've got an order for the boatswain.
Hey, boats, captain's boy wants to see you.
Hey! Look out!
Next time you come in, put your feet in your pocket.
Boatswain, skipper wants a double lookout fore and aft.
What's the matter? The old man nervous?
Send somebody else. Don't break up the game.
Let's see, Hennessy.
Hey! What's the idea?
Oh, you wouldn't have won anyway.
You take it, too, Larson.
You're squeezing us out because we're losing.
Sore I called you having a pair of deuces.
Would I do a thing like that?
You certainly would.
How're you getting along with your books?
Swell.
Study good, or the skipper will put you in a corner.
Leave it open, sweetheart.
When I got it off Hatteras, 6 guys caught in the forecastle
'cause the door buckled and they couldn't bust her.
Sorry.
How did a Kansas hayshaker like that
ever happen to go to sea?
Why does anybody ever go to sea?
To be here in a rust pot full of gasoline,
a guy has to be musclebound between the ears.
If a torpedo ever connected with this ship,
we'd go up like a match to cellophane.
You ain't got a chance.
Boom--and you're in the hero department.
Next thing you know, picking the milky way out of your ears.
Sailor: Ok, ok.
Wait a minute. I think you got the wrong angle.
The way I see it, if your ship's number is up, going to get it.
Yeah? And suppose my number ain't up.
Then torpedoes can connect right where you're sitting,
and still nothing will happen.
I want no torpedoes where I'm sitting.
I'm a sensitive man, I am.
What do you know about it anyway?
You carpenters, you got sawdust for brains.
Listen, I was shipping out
when your buttons were safety pins.
I was in a tanker in the last war.
I got torpedoed so much, I got water on the knee.
What made you ship out again?
Well, for years, I had my own business.
I got my own house, too, got a little money put away.
Then what are you doing out here in this floating junkpile?
I want to keep my business and house,
I figure this is a smart way to do it.
We didn't ask for this war. I know I didn't. None of us did.
And now all of us are in.
Sure. With you in the war, got nothing to worry.
It's an open-and-shut proposition.
I got faith...
In god, president Roosevelt, and the Brooklyn Dodgers--
in the order of their importance.
Ho ho ho!
Hans...
I'm only here because this is one place my wife cannot get me.
Thought you settled that alimony beef with her.
But I got married again.
Running away from the new one so quick?
They chase, so I run.
They think they can cut alimony off me
like carve blubber off a whale!
Boats, what happened to that dame in San Diego name of rose?
She got married, I think.
No. She's still on the loose.
You guys are talking about someone different.
The same one.
Said her folks come west in a covered wagon.
Take one look at her face, you know why they kept it covered.
She looked like Frank buck bring her back alive.
Can't you guys talk about anything but women?
What else is there to talk about?
Well, I ain't no hero.
I'm a sailor, and that 100% bonus ain't tin.
I just went to sea for a summer vacation.
Was 10 years ago.
How about some night lunch?
Why don't you give that tapeworm a rest?
Why? He don't give me none.
With that grub, it's no wonder we're always hungry.
I notice you shovel in plenty of it.
But it don't agree with me.
Give me a ham on rye.
Last ship I was on, we eat like the Ritz.
"The last ship"!
Every day, I hear the same beef.
You're always bragging about the last ship.
When you sail again, this'll be the last ship.
You'll be yapping about me,
the greatest cook that ever sailed,
and you'll be right, too.
Well, I think you're a pretty good--ooh!
My corns.
Cook: Ah, you and your feet.
I got very sensitive feet.
I found out in the last war
corns always hurt when there's a sub around.
Keep quiet about the sub business!
My feet, they hurt all the time, but they don't tell me nothing.
My corns are burning me up.
Why don't you shut up about them corns?
He gets messages in his toes!
Can't that machine play nothing else?
Stop beating your gums, brother. I like it.
I had a girl, used to sing that.
She had a baby face and brain to match.
* whenever was heard an intelligent word-- *
I taught it to her.
If that was a dame, couldn't shut her up that easy.
Torpedo... Torpedo...
Los! Los!
Torpedo los!
They got us!
The dirty...
Go aft! Get everybody on deck.
Let's go! Come on.
Pops, we got to get up on deck.
Where are you going?
My teeth! I got to get my teeth!
You won't need teeth to chew salt water. Get above!
Sound general alarm. All hands on deck.
Aye, sir.
Ein...
Check the damage aft.
Stand by that raft.
Can't raise the engine room.
Parker, follow mate aft and report back.
Aye, aye, sir.
Break out all hands. Stations!
Yes, sir!
How is it below?
The engine room's flooded! We're making water fast!
Stay here and see that everybody gets out!
Aye, sir.
Ja. Direct midships.
Hit us square in the engine room, captain!
She's flooding fast!
We're going to abandon ship!
Stand by to lower away!
Sailor: Peaches!
Peaches!
Peaches, baby, where are you?
Where are you, you darn cat?
Peaches!
Peaches, baby! Come here, peaches.
Come on, sweetheart.
Daddy's going to take care of you.
Let me have him, Gabe.
Thanks, mister.
Hey, Mac! Clear that fall!
Hey, you can't take that.
Where do you think you're going, Atlantic city?
Hey, where are your pants, guy?
I forgot them.
Number one raft!
Lend a hand here!
Some of the engine room gang are trapped aft, sir.
Tell sparks to sign off, get in boat.
Aye, sir.
Get in the boats and lower away!
What about those men trapped aft?
There's nothing we can do.
Don't tell me what I can do.
Nothing says you got to burn with your ship.
Waiting for you, sir.
Yeah. I'm ready.
Sparks!
We're shoving off. Come on. Hurry!
I'm signing off now.
Hey!
Tex!
You all right?
Look out!
Go on! Get out of here!
Ready, skipper?
You first, Mr. Rossi.
Let go the falls!
Sailor: Let go the falls!
Captain: Shove off!
Mount oars!
Sailor: Mount oars!
Come on, Tex! Let's get in that boat!
Tex, we're cut off.
Let's go forward. Come on!
We're cut off! We got to go back!
Double that stroke! Let's get out of this oil!
There's 2 men.
Circle about and pick them up.
Give way port. Back water starboard.
Wait! Take that off! You can't swim with that underwater.
If you make it, remember me, John.
They're swimming through the fire!
Rossi: Pull on those oars!
They'll never make it. They haven't got a chance.
Tex!
There he is. Pick him up.
Pulaski!
Who was it?
Tex.
There's the stinkin' pig boat!
They smell so bad, they gotto come up for air.
Captain: Clear those oars!
Give way portside, back water starboard.
Wo ist sie kapitan?
Where is your captain?
Where do you think? He's with his ship.
Sailor: Why are they taking pictures?
We're in the movies, boys.
They're taking pictures to show Hitler.
It should have sound. I could tell them something.
Take your pictures, you murdering pirates!
Let's give them this-- thumb's up!
They're bearing down! Give way together!
Row! Row!
Rossi: She's going to ram us!
Look out for the diving planes!
Jump clear!
Clear those propellers!
Peaches! Peaches! I lost peaches!
Make for the raft!
They're moving off.
Go on! Laugh, you apes!
You've had your blood and fire to make you laugh,
but I swear to god, our time is coming!
We'll pay you back.
We'll hunt you down
and slice you like a piece of cheese!
Hey, they can't hear you.
No, but god can.
Tanker wreckage sighted at position 2 cast 7.
What ship is that?
Northern star, sir.
Look!
Look at that.
O8q calling commander, destroyer division 8d.
Survivors on raft.
Thank god.
Man: Which of you is captain Jarvis?
Me.
Glad to know you, captain.
I'm Jordan, nationwide newsreel service.
We'd like to get some pictures of you and your men.
Ha ha ha!
Captain, will you tell us exactly what happened
when the torpedo hit the tanker?
She caught fire. Into the microphone, please.
She caught fire. Then what happened?
We took to the boats. Did you see the submarine?
Couldn't help seeing it. They rammed us.
And then what? Spent 11 days on a raft.
But here's our chief officer, Mr. Rossi. Better hear from him.
Thank you. Mr. Rossi, are you going to ship out again?
Yeah. Why not?
Live on land, your home burns down, you get another home.
On the sea, it's the same way. The ship is our home.
The ship burns, you get another ship.
That's the way it is, ain't it, men?
Men: Yes, sir, Rossi.
Anybody else like to say anything?
Go on, tell him. Don't be afraid.
What are you going to say, boats?
Your name, please?
O'Hara.
Alfred O'Hara.
Come on, fellas. Hurry up, hurry up.
Well, I've got a message for Hitler...
Personally.
Uh, my dear Adolf...
Hi, cap. Thought you was at sea. I was.
Must have made a quick trip. I did.
Oh, Steven.
Ah, darling.
Just got your telegram an hour ago.
Until then, I knew nothing. Sarah.
Why didn't you tell me when you were coming?
I'd have met the train.
I didn't know what time I could get away.
All these days without any news of you.
We were picked up by the Navy.
They don't give out much information these days.
No, they can't, of course.
She was a good ship, Sarah.
What about the men?
Some of them were lost.
You-- you all right?
Oh, I'm fine. Fine.
You bought a new suit.
Doesn't fit very well.
You have a terrible sunburn.
Oh, it will wear off.
Oh, darling, I like it.
I've got so much to tell you about.
Remember the Hopkins boy--George?
He joined the merchant marine.
I think he did it because of you.
I'm awful hungry, Sarah.
Oh, this is wonderful!
I could soak in here for a month.
Of course, you know, it's really dangerous
to take a bath so soon after dinner.
Too bad. I should have brought my life belt with me.
Ah, this feels so good.
I thought I'd never get in one of these again.
Sleep well, darling.
Oh, I know.
This is so silly. I'm only crying because I'm happy.
I just didn't want you to see.
I knew it all the time.
After all these years,
wouldn't you think I'd be used to it?
Sarah, I've been through a lot of storms.
I've always come home to you.
I know.
For a sailor's wife,
this...War is just another storm.
Oh, darling.
You rest well, darling.
You rest.
Hello, Joe. Been away?
Yeah.
Joe Rossi. When did you get in? This morning.
Good to see you. Have a drink. No. You better have one with me.
Anything good for a toothache? Straight whiskey.
It'll kill or cure it.
It never helped it before.
Well, you never did it right.
Look. Hold it in your mouth
next to your tooth, but don't swallow.
Look.
Mmm.
Now I'll buy you one.
Oh, don't swallow it, eh?
Feels better already.
Excuse me, will you? Good luck.
Keep this for me, please? Sure.
New face.
Yeah.
* night and day *
* you are the one *
* only you, beneath the moon and under the sun *
* whether near to me or far *
* it's no matter, darling, where you are... *
man: Troop trains coming in every hour all night long.
Planes, guns, ammunition--
you can see them as plain as anything. Yes, sir.
They're sending off 50,000 men every night.
Some nights, more!
Remember that blackout we had the other night?
Supposed to be Nazi planes hanging around. Baloney.
You know why they had it?
They were sneaking ships out-- plenty of them.
I'll tell you something, I know the names of them ships.
Hey, Jack.
The lady's singing. Do you mind?
I don't mind.
The western star, 11,000 tons,
sailed an hour ago.
It was loaded with guns and--
hey, Gus.
You want a drink?
Excuse me.
* under the hide of me *
* there's an, oh, such... *
maybe the news ain't reached you yet,
there's a war on.
Ain't that what I'm saying?
Those are troop ships going to the front.
Front's right off Sandy hook.
Ain't more than 10 miles from here.
They're losing lots of ships just because of talk.
Talk, nothing. Bombs and torpedoes are sinking them.
Those kids, thousands of them, nothing but bait for Nazi subs.
There was 10 ships in that convoy.
You saw that, huh? Sure, I saw it.
With your own eyes? Of course, with my own eyes.
Well, what do you know?
Come here. I want to tell you something.
Little closer. I want to whisper this.
* in the silence of my lonely room... *
maybe you won't talk so much.
Hey, Charlie, I think our friend
has had a little too much to drink, don't you?
Yeah. Did you hurt your hand? Never do.
* its torment won't be through *
* till you let me spend my life *
* making love to you *
* day and night *
* night and day *
thanks.
Hey, Charlie. Another drink.
You don't waste time between drinks, do you?
I never waste time.
Go on. Sing something else.
If you had to sock that guy,
why didn't you take him outside?
I make my living here.
Listen, I did it as neatly
and as quietly as I could out of consideration to you.
Should have had his teeth kicked in.
Big hero.
What would you do?
Turn him in, so he couldn't go and talk someplace else.
Well, that ain't direct enough for me.
Want a drink?
No, thank you. I don't drink with strangers.
Well, then, sing.
Oh, a command performance.
Yeah. I like your voice.
That's not what you like about me.
Well, that's all I know about you so far.
Here.
I guess you two should know each other, I guess.
Joe Rossi, miss O’Neil.
How do you do?
You better get that tooth fixed.
I think I will.
Hiya, boys.
Always wanted a classy tiepin ever since I was a kid,
so I tells the guy, "the tiepin is on Davy Jones' necktie."
So the buzzard gets sore.
Says, "that don't cut no ice with me. I still want 80 bucks."
So I says, "all right. Go sue Hitler."
Well, what happened?
So I paid the 80 bucks.
Hi, gang. Hi.
Good hand you got, hmm? Keep it quiet, will you?
Hi, whitey.
I hear you lost your cat. Yeah.
The sea is no place for dumb animals.
You got to take them young, then they don't get see sick.
The only place to get seasick is underneath a tree.
Ok, drop it. Let's play poker.
One ab. Two ordinary seamen.
One wiper.
Relax. They're calling a wiper. That ain't me.
That's just a rattrap going up the coast. It only pays 40%.
4 oilers. 4 firemen.
2 wipers.
P.U.! What smells bad around here?
What do you mean, what smells bad?
Perfume's worth 5 bucks a whiff. I ought to charge you for it.
Must be love when a dame will sprinkle that over you.
More than 100 men must have shipped out today.
100? Only a spit in the ocean.
It'll take thousands, they're building them ships so fast.
4 oilers. 3 abs.
Fourth time in the last half hour they've called for abs.
What are you waiting for?
I ain't in no hurry.
Well, I figure on shipping out today or tomorrow.
Can't wait, can you?
We was lucky once, we'll be lucky again.
Sure. Luck is riding on our tail.
What's the matter? Don't you believe in it?
I do. Knew a fella got bombed 3 times without being scratched.
Then he drowns himself taking a swim at coney island.
That's the way it goes.
In a pig's eye. Going to get me a shore job.
Why should I commit suicide?
For my dough, the safe run is the Staten island ferry.
You'd look good on a Staten island ferry.
And I'll go on looking good
when you're inside of a shark's belly.
I don't think you'd like that Staten island run.
Got to pass the statue of Liberty each way,
maybe you don't want to see her. I don't mind.
What are you hanging around this hall for if you ain't shipping?
Got my rights. I'm paid up here.
I'm a paid-up member of this union.
Only uniform here is a union button,
no guy wears it, if he doesn't deserve it.
And he ain't got it, and I ain't playing poker with no bedbugs.
What's biting you?
Come on. Close your yap and deal.
Deal me in.
Guys are talking like I was a kid,
like I didn't know what the score was.
Look, I been shipping out for 6 years.
It's one thing for you single guys, not a worry.
Easy come, easy go. So I ain't single.
I got a wife and a kid coming next month.
I'm nervous, and my nerves is waltzing with my pulse!
Aw, pipe down! What do you mean, pipe down?
Isn't permitted? No more free speech?
Wait a minute. Come on. Sit down.
Take it easy.
Don't it matter I want to know
whether my kid's going to be a boy or girl or twins,
like this fella says, charity begins at home,
or don't it count no more, the home?
Look, we know what's what.
Guys like us killed on ships,
the fish pecking at our eyes.
Who cares about us, anyway?
Everybody's nuts about the army and Navy.
What are we supposed to be? Skeletons in a closet?
Oh, yes, and now they're going to give us medals.
Medals.
What good's a medal when you're washed up on the beach?
Nobody even knows what you died for!
So my kid can sing "my daddy lies over the ocean...
Or under it"?
I want to bounce my kid on my knee.
Want to be with my wife. Make laws against it.
Put me in the nut house for thinking things like that.
Well, why don't you say something?
You all dumb because I spilled what you're thinking?
I'm thinking plenty,
and I ought to make you smell knuckles.
No, no, no, no. You got your brains in your fists.
But that's what he needs!
No. If that's the way you feel, you got a right to say it.
That's what we're fighting for.
But you're seeing it cockeyed.
Think the rest of us
have got nothing close to us but our shirts?
I got a family.
You think my wife feels good
with me at sea and my boy in England in the air force?
You got a boy in the air force? Yes, but why talk about it?
So you want a safe job, huh?
Go ask the Czechs and the poles and the Greeks.
They were figuring on safe jobs.
Lined up in front of guns digging each other's graves.
The trouble with you, Pulaski,
is you think America's just a place to eat and sleep in.
You don't know what side
your future is buttered on.
Believe--
don't waste your breath.
What are you doing wearing that union badge?
12 abs.
6 ordinaries. 2 electricians.
Hey, O'Hara, come on! It's one of the new Liberty ships.
Just got the dope. Signing on a full crew.
One boatswain.
That's for me.
One carpenter.
4 oilers.
4 firemen. 2 wipers.
Have your cards ready. Please form a line.
You'll be taken care of by the numbers on your card.
One of them new babies--a big wagon-- and she's fast.
Get in line, please. We'll take the abs first.
Here we go again, daddy.
Look who's here.
I guess I talk too much.
Welcome home, sweetheart.
No hard feelings, huh?
Why should there be any hard feelings?
Got a cigarette?
Sure. Sure.
Why...
Well, I got you this time.
Who's all this?
She's Jenny, the wife.
I saw your fat face in a newsreel,
Mr. Alfred O'Hara.
Here's an invitation for you...
From a judge.
Oh, listen, Jenny. I've been having a tough time.
I've been fighting sharks on a raft for 11 days.
Yeah? Did a blonde shark
spill that perfume on you?
No, Jenny. That's the smell of the sea.
Yeah?
Well, try smelling this for a change.
Ha ha ha!
Them Liberty boats are sure well-named!
Many are being assigned to active duty for the first time.
Others are being transferred to new ships.
Some have faced the fire of the enemy and given a good account.
Annapolis and west point
have a long and glorious tradition.
This is a new school, but you have a tradition, too--
the oldest tradition of any American service.
American merchant ships carrying vital supplies
to George Washington's army
were largely responsible
for our first victory as a free nation.
Remember that.
Gentlemen, the future
of the United States merchant marine
is in your hands.
Cadet Anderson.
You're assigned to the S.S. Roger Ames.
Captain Gustafson.
Good luck. Smooth sailing.
Thank you, sir.
Cadet Parker.
Cadet Parker, you're assigned to the S.S. Seawitch.
She's a new ship with a famous old name.
You already know the captain--captain Jarvis.
Good luck. Smooth sailing.
Thank you, sir.
Cadet Tierney.
Joe Rossi here? Why do you want to see him?
I'd rather tell him that.
Oh, hiya, Steve. Come on in.
You have a drink?
No, thanks.
You look worse than you did on the raft.
Maybe, but I've had a lot more fun.
Honey, meet my good friend, Steve Jarvis.
We've met. Joe, I got a new ship.
You're signed on as first, providing you can report now
and not in that uniform.
You're not going to go, Joe.
I told you it was going to be like this.
It's an old story with us. Is it?
I'm always getting him aboard ship
when he's tangled in something like this.
Something like what?
Don't mind him, Pearl-- the old man of the sea.
May know a lot about ships, but you don't know about people.
I know you. "She's different."
Every one of them is different.
I've heard it in cape town, Rio, Bombay...
Where's your money? Got paid off a lot of cash.
Now, wait a minute. We're not leaving without it.
I've had experience. Hand it over.
Tell you where his money is if you're so anxious.
He gave it to me. He gave it to you.
Yes. We put it in the bank. We put it in the...
How do you mean, we?
Me and the wife.
We got spliced yesterday.
Joe, why did you let me make a fool of myself?
Excuse me, Mrs. Rossi. I'm very sorry.
Oh, that's all right.
Joe, how'd it happen?
I don't know. You better ask her.
I guess there's no reason that makes any sense.
Guess we just like each other.
It makes a lot of sense.
Hard to believe, ain't it?
Me, hitched up with a missis?
It's nice to believe it.
You see, he can't go.
He just can't. Baby, look, I got to go.
We'll sneak in a honeymoon later.
Take you to Niagara Falls if I don't tire of looking at water.
Joe, please.
Baby, there's one thing you got to understand.
Maybe we guys know more about what's going on than most guys.
We've been hanging around axis ports a long time,
and we've seen what they do.
What we've seen ain't nice.
So we...
We can't sit around holding hands
with all that going on.
Right with you, skipper.
I know how it is, Mrs. Rossi.
I've been married for 20 years.
My wife feels just the same as you do.
Does she?
She's had a lot of experience being a sailor's wife.
I'd like you to know her, Mrs. Rossi.
I'd like to.
I'll give you her telephone number.
I wish you'd call her.
Maybe she'll say that I'm not always as dumb as
I was when I came in here.
Thanks.
I'll finish packing your things.
Guess I'm not used to being a sailor's wife.
You better get used to it.
I'll try.
It's funny, I've been saying good-bye to people all my life.
This is the first time it ever meant anything to me.
That's why I married you, Joe.
Huh?
So you would have somebody to say good-bye to
and come back to.
That's what you wanted, isn't it, Joe?
Yeah.
Yeah. I guess that's what I wanted.
Oh, say, do you mind if I take this with me?
That doesn't look like a sailor's wife.
Oh, I think it does.
I'll find you something a little more homey.
Yeah, that will do.
Sorry that fella's in it,
but I look nice, don't I?
He seems to think so. Who is the mug?
Oh, it's nobody, Joe.
I don't even remember his name.
When will you be back?
I don't know.
Where are you going?
I'm sorry. They don't tell us that.
Just someplace on the ocean.
Can't sail on land.
No place where I could write you?
No, kid. I'm sorry. That's the way it is.
That's all right.
Good-bye, Joe.
Yeah.
Yeah, good-bye, kid.
All ready, skipper.
Good-bye, Mrs. Rossi. Don't forget to call my wife.
I won't forget.
You may like her. I know she will.
Take care of yourself, kid.
Good-bye.
Bye.
All finished loading, Mr. Rossi
sorry I gave you such a deckload. They need it there.
Batten it down. We'll do our best to deliver it.
Thank you. Good luck. Thank you.
Hey, can you imagine us tanker stiffs on this ship?
Yeah, it's like being shacked up in heaven.
Feel that! You're telling me!
Boy, oh, boy, am I going to sleep tonight!
Hello, chief.
Chief, I want you to meet the guys.
That's Abrams, Pulaski, and cherub.
Boys, meet the chief.
You're taking it to sea? Why not?
It's dangerous. She might get hurt.
Let her make up her own mind.
Maybe she's got other plans.
Ah, she's too young for that.
I'll take care of her. I won't let anything hurt it.
Remember what happened to peaches the first?
But peaches was a lady, and she couldn't swim.
Now, this cat's different.
You know what I've named him? Thomas.
That doesn't give him duck feet.
That's what I'm saying. I've been educating him.
Each day, I dunk him in water. Now, he can swim like a fish.
Besides, he's got 9 lives, ain't he?
How do you know he ain't used up 8 already?
Why, hello there, admiral. Didn't know you in those blues.
Shipping out with the old man again?
Yes, sir. Glad to be with him.
Wonder how he'll like it when he sees me.
You don't have to worry about that.
This isn't like the old tanker, huh? Even smells different.
Sure does. Gives me a kick to be here.
Yes. It's quite a tub.
Come, I'll show you where to stow your gear.
Then we'll go see the captain.
Thank you, sir.
Another cadet just came aboard, sir.
That fills our complement.
What's he like? Looks pretty good to me.
Been torpedoed, spent a week on a raft, he's raring to go again.
Fine. We'll need them like that this trip. Show him in.
Right this way, son.
Reporting for duty, sir.
Parker!
Glad to see you again. Thank you, sir.
Hope we'll have better luck this time.
Get into your working clothes.
Plenty for you to do. Yes, sir.
Whew.
Parker again.
Book-learning sailors instead of experienced.
Well, I must admit, he did all right.
You know, times change, skipper, and men and ships with it.
Take this ship, for instance.
She's a fine one, mister. Yeah.
Why don't you get one? You'll rate a master's license.
You should've been on the bridge of your ship a long time ago.
Too much worrying and paperwork goes with your job, skipper.
I'd get tangled up in that stuff and choke myself.
Maybe you'll change your mind.
They'll have to give me a secretary to do all that.
Ah, here's our gun crew now.
Look at that.
Ensign Wright and gun crew reporting, sir.
Glad to have you with us. My name's Rossi, first officer.
Guess you'd like to see the captain. I'll take you.
Thank you.
Gee, she's a swell-looking ship.
Yeah. I hear they got a new 5-inch gun on her.
Hope we get to use it.
Maybe a little excitement.
Look at these guys.
Holy mackerel!
Look out!
Make way for a sailor.
They're just babies! Where's your nurses?
Ain't you children got the wrong ship?
This ain't no coney island outing.
This is our gun crew. The Navy's running out of men.
These guys are just pleading for trouble.
Yeah, anytime, anywhere.
We're here to protect you guys.
They're here to protect us. Thats sweet?
Ha ha ha!
Hey, mousy, come here a minute.
See that star on his chest? You know what that means?
Oh, yeah! He got high marks in arithmetic!
Mousy, what was the last ship you were on?
The Lex.
He means the Lexington.
The Lexington? Are you kidding?
Did you knock off any Japs, kid?
Yeah, a few. What battle was you in?
I just enlisted. Enlisted.
What'd you do before this?
I had a few rackets. Selling neckties at cut rate.
Wrap me up a girdle! With a blonde in it!
All right. Break it up, boys. Break it up.
Mr. Wright, I'll have my men show them to their quarters.
Thank you. Pulaski and you, whitey, take these men aft.
Yes, sir.
This way, guys. Follow me.
Come on, sea scouts.
They're taking them kind of young these days, ain't they?
We're getting them young, Mr. Rossi. Not taking them.
Those boys all volunteered for this duty.
Don't get me wrong, ensign. I'm not objecting their youth.
I'm all for it. They've all been trained.
Well, I hope so, because just between you and me,
I don't think my men could hit the deck with their hats.
All hands on deck. Stand by your lines, fore and aft.
Boys, stop shooting the breeze. We're going to shove off.
Boats, where we heading for?
I don't know-- cape town, Algiers,
Zanzibar...
Now, Zanzibar, there is a town.
Any dames there, boats?
Right rudder.
Right rudder, sir.
Steady on a course, sir.
Very well.
She handles like a sloop.
Yes, sir. She's well-mannered.
Periscope sighted directly astern!
Scale, 1-5-0-0!
Range, 7-5!
Ho!
Mark! Mark! Mark! Mark!
Mark! Mark! Mark! Mark! Mark!
Ready one!
Range, 1-8-0-0! No chain!
Range 1-8-0-0! 6-5!
Set!
There ain't any subs.
It's gunnery practice.
That was pretty sloppy, boys.
It took you over 15 seconds.
Let's try it again. Set...
Them kids handle them guns,
I'll pick out a good seat in the lifeboat.
Wait a minute.
Weren't you men detailed to report here to learn gunnery?
We're here, ain't we?
It's important that you learn something about these guns
in case some of my boys are knocked out during action.
Come on.
I want you to watch the loader.
Parker, right over behind the trainer.
You, right over here by the pointer.
You, right there.
I want you fellas to watch my men very closely.
All right, men. Set...
Ready... Range, 1-8-0-0! Scale, 6-9!
Range, 1-8-0-0! Scale, 6-9!
Mark! Mark!
Set!
Cease firing!
What's so tough about that?
Mister, it took the Navy 6 months to train these men.
That's a long time. I'll do it in a week.
It'll take you a year. Listen, buster--
hold it, Pulaski. Take the place of the man you've been watching.
The rest do the same.
This is going to be good.
Set...Ready...
Range 2-8-0-0! Scale, 3-5!
Fire!
Fire? Ain't even got the door open!
That's a breech. All right-- it's not open?
Goldberg, I'm detailing you to train them one hour a day.
Aye, aye, sir! It will be a pleasure!
What did you say your racket was before you joined up?
Ah, you--
don't point that thing.
It's for the gun.
All right, men. Let's go.
Steve: Mr. Rossi.
These are our orders.
Here's the Canadian port of assembly.
We pick up the convoy here.
Will you plot the courses?
Yes, sir.
And we take on more deck cargo in Canada.
They put any more load we'll have to put wheels on her bottom
and push her in.
Pilot coming over the rail, sir.
There's a Navy lieutenant with him.
I'm captain Johnson, the pilot, sir.
I'll take her up to the moorings.
This is lieutenant Macintosh of the royal Canadian Navy.
My name is Jarvis. This is my first officer Mr. Rossi.
How long will it take to get to our berth?
We'll get through the nets
and minefields about 45 minutes.
Lieutenant Macintosh will give you any information
you might want about the convoy.
Convoy commander's asked that you attend the conference
that's fine. She's all yours, captain.
Thank you.
Holy mackerel, the whole world's here!
Australia, Mexico, Cuba...See?
Hiya, Matey!
That's something you've never seen
in your 30 years at sea.
We're going to live to sail them
right into williamshaven and Hamburg and Bremen.
I was told to report for a convoy conference.
Inside, sir.
This is the number of your ship, sir.
Captain Jarvis of the seawitch.
The number of your ship, sir.
Thank you.
Captain Jarvis!
Ziemer!
Man, but it's good to see you.
Good to see you.
Rotterdam, 1940.
Ja.
I'll never forget that evening
I spent with you, Frau Ziemer and the family.
I don't forget, either.
I read what the Nazis did to Rotterdam.
You mustn't give up hope.
They're safe somewhere.
No.
From my ship in the harbor,
I looked at where my house is,
and I see stukas diving.
I see flames and smoke...
Ruin.
They are not safe.
Someday it'll all be over.
Then we'll be able to sit once more
in your garden by the canal.
In god's will.
Man: Attention!
Gentlemen, I wish to introduce the convoy commander,
who will preside at this conference.
Rear admiral hartridge, United States Navy.
Thank you, gentlemen. Carry on.
Captain Williams, my operations officer,
will give you the details.
Everyone has been given a slip of paper
which contains the number of his ship.
The ships of this convoy, designated as convoy 211,
will put to sea at the respective times
marked in sealed orders you'll receive
at the close of this meeting.
You will also receive your codes, ciphers,
and zigzag plans from lieutenant commander brown
at the end of this meeting.
Immediately upon weighing anchor,
each ship will display her number
by a hoist of flags of the international signal corps.
You will proceed directly to the point of rendezvous
and assume your positions as shown by this diagram.
Our convoy is made up of 73 vessels,
not including the naval escort.
In order to maintain your position,
you have only to match your number
with those of the ships around you.
Let's take a number at random.
Number 28.
Why, that's my number.
The numbers of the ships abeam of you must be 27 and 29,
and the numbers of the ships forward
and astern of you must be 18 and 38, respectively.
Let's move to the other end of the line.
Number 21.
That's me.
This is your position, captain.
Your normal stations will be 500 yards apart.
The command will carry the signal number 00.
She should be watched for signals at all times.
Are there any questions, gentlemen?
Yes, captain?
Do we use only flags for communication?
No, captain.
We will use 5 means of communication--
blinker light, rocket, whistle, flag,
and, when practical, loudspeaker,
but absolute radio silence
must be maintained at all times.
Yes, captain?
What means of communication do we use
if we lose contact with each other
or if we're to scatter?
None.
If you are forced to scatter,
you will proceed to a new rendezvous,
at a time and place indicated in your sealed orders.
Are there any further questions, gentlemen?
Gentlemen, I do not need to emphasize
the hazards you're likely to encounter.
You all know the enemy's efforts
to cut the lifeline of allied supplies.
Most of us are strangers here.
Our vessels fly the flags of many nations,
but we will know each other better after this trip.
Good luck and godspeed.
Thank you, gentlemen.
I will see you at our destination.
All ships are clearing the harbor very handily.
I doubt if there will be much delay at the rendezvous.
Signal the escort force to commence screening operations.
Aye, aye, sir.
Mr. Burke, signal the escort force
to commence screening operations.
Aye, sir. Signal--pennant 4, William, jig, easy.
Pennant 4, William, jig, easy.
On the searchlight, signal--
pennant 4, William, jig, easy.
William, jig, easy.
Coastal patrol to convoy commander.
This is where we leave you.
Good luck.
Our sealed orders opened yet?
They are. 10 minutes ago.
Where we headed?
Russia, port of Murmansk.
Murmansk? Well, this trip ain't gonna be no picnic.
Never has been.
The only thing that's important
is to get that stuff to Russia real quick.
That's right, mister.
Make yourself and all the officers
acquainted with those orders.
Yes, sir.
Loudspeaker: Number 31! Number 31!
Porthole uncovered on your stern!
Black it out, or we'll machine-gun it!
What a day. What a day. It's so rough out there,
even the fish are trying to get out from under.
Yeah.
Just the kinda day I'd wanna be home with a blonde and a book.
Since when can you read?
Who said I could read?
But you said--
uh, Parker?
Yes, sir? Skipper want me, sir?
No. I'm just surprised to see you sitting up.
You better turn in.
I was trying to, but I couldn't make it.
Sit down.
These nights are killers, aren't they?
Yeah. I lie in my bunk
with my clothes on to sleep,
every time that engine slows down, my heart speeds up.
In time, I think I can train myself
to have an iron nerve like you.
Let me tell you something about my iron nerve, son.
It's made of rubber, just like everybody else's,
so it'll stretch when you need it.
People gotta funny idea
that being brave is not being scared.
But I don't know. I always figured that
if you weren't scared, there was nothing to be brave about.
Trick is, how much scaring can you take?
I got an idea you can take plenty.
I hope so.
Oh, that your girl?
Yes, sir.
Oh, she's nice-looking.
What's her name?
Emily Jordan. We want to get married,
but we've got to wait till I get my third mate's papers.
You're young enough to wait.
How's she feel about you going to sea?
Well, she doesn't feel good.
Same as my wife.
Here...Take a squint at this.
Say, she looks swell.
Yeah. We didn't have time
to have a real good picture taken.
It's nice to have somebody at home
thinking about you, huh?
Yeah.
How'd you ever happen to join the merchant marine?
That's what I wanted as a kid.
I guess I've read everything written about ships.
Dana, Conrad, Marryat, Melville.
I never read all that stuff. I've been busy doing it.
Seems like the toughest, most important job anybody can do,
both for now and later.
You're right, son.
There's no job bigger than this.
Let me tell you something--
no matter how many planes and guns you pile up,
or the men you've got,
it means nothing unless they get things when they need it.
It's our job to see to that.
Mr. Rossi, when you have your own ship,
I hope I can sail with you.
I'm afraid I'm a little too easygoing to be a skipper.
You better turn in before you go on watch.
Good night.
Good night, sir.
Fog bank dead ahead!
Jarvis: Getting thicker every minute.
If it gets thicker, we'll have to chop our way through it.
Parker. Sir?
Take a man and rig the towing spar.
Aye, aye, sir.
Let's get this spar overboard
before that ship back there climbs our tail.
I wish we had one sticking over the side.
What for?
To keep that Dutch ship off us.
I don't want no 10,000 tons of tnt smacking me in the kisser.
Don't worry about it. He's just as scared as we are.
I don't know.
Ready? Heave!
Spar dead ahead!
Slow her down 5 turns.
Slow her down 5 turns, sir.
Mac?
Slow down 5 turns.
What's the matter? Got fog up there?
Thicker than your skull.
Huh.
Ship close aboard, port beam!
Hard right! Hard right, sir!
Wake up, you dumb son of a sailfish.
You dead or gone blind?
Hard right! Wheeled hard right.
Ship swinging right all the time, sir.
Well.
We just missed some nice fireworks.
Brown, it's a relief to get clear.
Have many of the convoy astern of us.
Yes, admiral. Signal force reports
practically all ships in sight.
Good.
All ships resume your positions.
Take normal distance and interval.
All ships resume your positions.
Take normal distance and interval.
Check the number of those ships, Mr. Rossi.
Yes, sir.
All ships resume your positions.
Take normal distance and interval.
All ships resume your positions.
Take normal distance and interval.
There's that old Dutch tub right abeam of us.
They're everywhere. Looks like they'll have to
shuffle the pack and deal again.
Torpedo los!
Signal attack formation. Aye, aye, sir.
From convoy commander to 371 and 406.
371 to convoy commander. Go ahead.
From 406 to convoy commander. Go ahead.
Search and attack submarines
on starboard quarter of convoy.
All engines ahead flank speed.
Back to your stations.
Sound general alarm.
All hands on the forward deck.
Break out your fire equipment.
This attack might be a decoy.
Have the remaining escort stay on station.
The attack may come from another quarter.
Aye, aye, sir.
On the searchlight-- emergency pennant, dog, king.
Emergency pennant, dog, king.
Periscope 2 points abaft the port beam!
Signal 308 submarine's position.
Aye, aye, sir.
Convoy commander to 308.
From 308 to convoy commander. Go ahead.
Periscope 2 points abaft of port beam of flagship.
Distance 1,400 yards.
Left full rudder, quartermaster.
Aye, sir. Left full rudder.
All engines ahead flank speed.
Torpedo los!
38 seconds. Let go your first charge.
Aye, aye, sir. 38 seconds.
Stand clear of the depth charge racks.
Clear of the racks. Clear of the racks!
Let go number one.
Let go number one, sir.
Number one gone!
Number one gone.
Brown, signal the convoy to disperse.
Aye, sir. One pennant, easy, cast.
Signalman, one pennant, easy, cast. Hit it!
Aye, aye, sir.
Fire your dispersal rocket.
Aye, sir. Stand by to fire rocket.
We're ready, sir.
Fire!
Torpedo los!
Those Nazis are all around us.
We've run into a wolf pack!
Aah!
That depth charge brought him up.
After gun, train on target off port quarter.
Range 3-5-0-0.
Fire one!
If this keeps up, somebody's going to get hurt around here.
Forward gun, submarine on starboard bow.
Torpedo los!
New target on starboard beam.
Concentrate all guns.
Come right 20 degrees. We'll ram her.
There's one they won't have to ram.
Aah!
Set!
Range 1-6-5-0.
No change.
That one had his name on it.
For the little lout with the mustache...
Schicklgruber.
Oh, we did it!
Scratch one sea sow.
Come left and steady up on 2-9-0.
Come left and steady up on 2-9-0, sir.
Torpedo los!
Torpedo 3 points off starboard bow. 1,000 yards--
we're going sky-high!
Rudder amidships!
Bring your guns to starboard.
So long, baby.
That was close, sir.
Yeah.
Amerikanisch Liberty ship.
Break out a cargo booms, put a sling on this bomber,
and get it in place. Aye, aye, sir.
4 men with lines!
Over the side and secure those chains!
We ever get to Murmansk, I'll buy me
a barrel of vodka and get stinking.
You better get two, and then you'll have one.
You know, it's a funny thing. Now that it's all over,
my corns is burning like a house afire.
You got more sense in your feet than in your head.
At least they know we're in trouble.
What are you beefing about now?
What are our chances alone in the north Atlantic?
They'll pick us off like a duck in a barrel.
Convoy's going to get together again.
Who says so? They got it all fixed.
They've got the thing, like you have with dames.
What things?
You know.
A fellow and a dame... The, uh...
Guy's been dating a dame and then he don't
see her for a long time. Then they get together again, uh...
Rendezvous?
Rossi: Abrams! Get your tail off that deck.
You're not parked in the bleachers.
Pulaski, get the lead out of your britches.
This is no Bronx picnic. Aye, aye, sir!
Who does he think he is-- Simon Legree?
Take a look at that.
What do you make of it? It's a sub.
Mr. Wright! Yes, sir.
Off the port quarter.
That's a u-boat, all right. She's out of range.
She's playing tag, and we're "it."
Hard right, quartermaster!
Hard right, sir.
Gentlemen, as you know,
a submarine has been tailing us.
I've changed my course to lead him away from the convoy.
That means...That we can't rejoin them. We're on our own.
Mr. Wright, looks as if you and your men
will have what you've been waiting for.
The sub's keeping out of range.
Because she doesn't want to match guns.
Think she'll dog us till night, submerge, and then attack.
Maybe.
Mcgonigle, if there's a couple of extra knots up your sleeve,
I want them right now. I'll try, sir.
We can't expect any help.
Our first job is to shake that sub off our tail.
Next is to head to Murmansk and deliver the goods.
With god's help, that's what we intend to do.
Mr. Rossi, double your watch and be ready for any emergency.
Aye, sir. Thank you, gentlemen.
Wonder what them guys in the sub are thinking about.
Ah, they're Nazis. They don't think.
What do you mean, "they're Nazis. They don't think"?
Don't kid yourself. They think, all right.
Want to know what they're thinking about?
About us, about this ship. Thinking about knocking us off.
I can't understand it.
There's a sub following us, and my feet don't hurt.
Mr. Wright.
Yes, sir.
What can we expect?
After dark, he'll pick up speed and get ahead,
then stay with us to pick up the convoy.
In any case, he'll let us have one before dawn.
Anything to put your guns in range?
No. If we slow down, he will, too.
It'll be dark in another hour.
Yeah.
It's going to be a black night...
And a long one.
She seems to be coming up a little.
Yeah. Why not throw a shot at her?
She's too far out of range.
One round will keep them away.
I'll try one, sir.
After gun, be ready to fire on target off port quarter.
Range--8,000.
Man: Scale--195.
Fire!
I figure in about 2 hours they'll be abeam of us.
Yes, sir.
We got a lot of waiting to do.
How's your pulse, kid?
I'm ok, sir.
Not much chance of getting away, right?
Not in a way that I know of.
We run, they'll follow. We stop, they'll spot us
with their listening devices if there's anything to listen--
Parker, have the chief engineer report to me on the double.
Aye, aye, sir.
It's only going to be a short time
before that sub comes abeam of us.
I know that, mister. I've called the chief engineer
to find out if we can turn off all machinery and all sounds.
To beat the sub's sound detector?
We've got to. They can pick up anything.
You mean secure the boilers?
Yeah, the only way to lose that pig boat.
Oh, in here, Mac.
You send for me, sir?
Chief, can you black out every sound on board?
Pumps, generators-- the whole plant.
I can, then I'm not responsible for the safety of the ship.
Will you be responsible for the ship
if we get struck with a torpedo amidships?
How long to secure everything? 10 minutes.
Can you get steam again in 30 minutes?
Yes, sir.
We'll risk it. Go ahead.
Aye, sir.
Check the wind and estimate the drift.
Tell the boatswain I want complete silence on the ship.
Aye.
Everything's secure, sir.
All we got to do now is wait.
I wish I was in Times Square.
Why?
I'd take a subway home.
There you are, baby.
Now stay put, and for crying out loud, don't make no noise.
I tell you, there's no sub around. My corns don't hurt.
You know what I'm doing when this is over?
I'm putting into port, I'm getting off the ship,
I'm putting an oar on my shoulder, and starting inland.
The first time a guy says to me, "what's that on your shoulder?"
That's where I'm settling for the rest of my life.
Shut up!
Hey, pipe down.
I think we got something out there.
You hear it?
Sounds like she's about a half-mile off our stern.
Yeah.
My heart's pounding so fast it's going to bust out of my chest.
Take it easy, kid.
I'll tie a knot in that cat's neck and toss it overboard.
Wait a minute, guy.
I can't hear it right now.
I guess he's gone.
There's no telling. They may have blacked out, too.
We'll drift till dawn.
All clear, mister?
All clear here, sir.
Port side, what do you see?
All clear, sir. Can't pick up a thing.
Very well.
Mr. Wright, check with the crow's-nest.
Wright: Crow's-nest, everything clear up there?
Man: All clear, sir.
Chief, I'll expect full boilers in half an hour.
I'll give you all the steam you need in 30 minutes.
And maybe before that. Light off both boilers.
Get the fires under both boilers right away.
It sure feels swell to be moving again.
It sure was like sailing a ghost ship last night.
Listen.
Listen to what?
Them engines.
Don't they sound good?
Don't do that, Pulaski. My ears are sticking out
from the listening I did last night.
How do you like that?
You scared me out of 2 years' growth.
At my age, that ain't so good.
Felt like cheering when the sun came up,
and that stinking sub wasn't around.
It feels nice and warm in here.
What's the matter? You're not eating.
I ain't hungry.
No wonder he ain't hungry, with this bellywash.
This what?
You heard me. I'm polite.
If not the mines, it's the subs. If not the subs or bombs,
it's the arsenic he give us.
You gotta be charged with murder.
Why don't you dry up?
Don't pay him any attention, cookie.
We're all gonna bite off each others' heads.
I nearly bit my own off.
Ooh!
What's the matter--
don't tell me it's your feet.
No, it's my head. Ooh!
That's ok with me.
Just so it ain't his feet.
Wait a minute. This may be serious.
How bad does it hurt?
Oh, very bad. Very bad.
It's a funny thing. I hardly ever have a headache.
You shouldn't eat so much with a headache.
Why not? It don't go to my head.
Anything else hurt?
Yes, my--
never mind.
You hear that?
May be Russian planes coming out to meet us.
Maybe, but there's Norway off to starboard.
Unidentified planes off the starboard bow.
Aircraft sighted.
Where are they?
Starboard bow.
Altitude approximately 10 to 15.
Unidentified planes 2 points off starboard bow.
Sound general alarm.
Anti-aircraft batteries, track target.
Nazi planes.
They're enemy planes, sir.
Get that guy out of the crow's-nest.
Crow's-nest, come on down from there.
Engine room, stand by for maneuvers.
Aye, aye, sir.
Make right!
Con the ship from the wheelhouse.
Get the quartermaster below. Steer 40.
Get below, and sing out when you're ready.
Aye, aye, sir.
We got one.
We got him!
Get to shelter, skipper. They're strafing.
Where did it get you, Steve?
In the leg. Take over, Joe.
Boys, take him to his cabin.
Yes, sir.
Forward gun. Forward gun. My system's dead.
Parker, go forward on the double.
Get back there. I'll load her.
Here he comes again, spitting!
We'll spit right back at him.
He'll never come back!
Look out!
Mr. Rossi, give me a hand here, would you?
Here, Mr. Rossi.
Right here, Mr. Wright.
Well done, Parker.
Thank you, sir.
Need another man here.
Yeah. Take it easy.
How many do you want?
Just one.
Here you are, skipper.
What's the condition of the ship?
She's still afloat.
Can you keep her afloat?
We got to.
You're in no condition to swim.
Wh-what about the men?
I'll tell you about that later, Steve.
Parker?
Later, Steve. I'll give you a full report later.
Now, this is going to sting a little bit.
Oh, and close those ports.
Let's hit that lamp.
A little higher.
Just hold that light down tight. Don't let it move.
Now, here we go, Steve. I'm going to start digging.
All right. Go for it.
As a surgeon, you're a great first mate.
Did you get it?
Yeah.
Oh, uh, hand me that bottle of sulfur--
that round bottle. That's right.
I think you'll be all right now, Steve.
Thank you, Joe.
How do you feel now, Steve?
Better, Joe.
So you got a ship of your own after all.
You're the skipper from now on.
I'll try to take care of her for you.
I'll look in on you later.
How's the captain?
We'll know better in a few hours.
You got Parker's things packed yet?
Almost finished, sir.
Stow them in my cabin. We'll send them to his folks in Kansas
when we get to the states.
There ain't much of them to get back.
What about these?
I'll take them.
They're to his girl. He told me about her.
Is that her? Yeah.
Oh, uh, here's one
that ain't finished yet.
I didn't mean to, Mr. Rossi, but I read it.
It's ok.
It's got things in there--
like where he says he was scared he couldn't sleep nights--
that's the way we all feel. But he says it was ok.
On account of he has confidence in us and the crew.
He was a good kid.
Yeah, and I used to ride him all the time.
He made a fine officer.
You mean that he used to study all these books?
You got to learn it one way or another.
Mr. Rossi, do you mind if I borrow these?
I don't think Parker will mind.
Report on deck when you get his gear stowed.
If you work hard enough, maybe you can wear those someday.
All ready for the service, Steve.
I wish I could do it for you, Joe.
Think you better mark in the book the parts that I'm to read.
I've done that.
"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the lord
"he that believeth in me,
"though he were dead, yet shall he live.
"And whosoever liveth and believeth in me
shall never die."
"We brought nothing into this world,
"and it's certain we can carry nothing out.
"The lord gave, the lord hath taken away.
Blessed be the name of the lord."
Now, that's the word of god,
and it's good,
but I don't think he'd mind if I put my oar in.
These were 8 men we knew and liked,
guys like us--
guys we ate with and slept with
and fought with.
Well, we're just a little luckier than they were.
We'll miss them...
All of them.
Gunners mate first class Michael Aherne,
gunners mate second class Frank Rosetti,
apprentice seaman Morris Goldberg,
able seaman George Anderson,
able seaman William Odinsky,
able seaman John Murphy,
able seaman Henry bone,
and cadet Robert Parker.
I guess I knew Parker a little better than the others.
He came from Kansas. He had a girl.
All the ocean he ever knew was in a mudhole,
but he had to go to sea.
Well, we're giving them all a good send-off.
Too bad their folks ain't here to see it,
'cause I know they'd feel better about it.
I'm sorry they had to die.
I'm sorry they didn't get a chance to live out their lives
so they could have finished the things they started out to do...
But those are the breaks.
Any one of us could be lying here tomorrow
and somebody reads a book over us
and we get tossed in the sea.
But that ain't what's important.
A lot more people are going to die before this is over,
and it's up to the ones that come through
to make sure that they didn't die for nothing.
Will you men join me in the lord's prayer?
Together: Our father which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us...
...and deliver us from evil. Amen.
...forever and ever. Amen.
"We therefore commit his body to the deep,
"looking for the general resurrection in the last day
"and the life of the world to come
"through our lord Jesus Christ.
"A new second coming and glorious majesty
"to judge the world, the sea shall give up her dead,
"and the corruptible bodies
"of those who sleep in him shall be changed
"and made like unto his glorious body
whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself."
I wish we'd run into some good, dirty, stinking fog.
That would help keep them away.
How's your forward gun, Mr. Wright?
Pretty bad shape. We're patching her up.
Ack-acks are ok, though.
Keep working on that gun. We may need it.
How's it below, chief?
Plates are none too good.
Propellor shaft to align.
How much speed can you make?
Less than half of what you've been getting--
about 6 knots.
How's your cargo?
Can't take much more of a beating, sir.
Pardon the suggestion, mister,
but why don't we head for Scotland?
We could pick up a convoy there.
And I'm telling you, a trip to perdition
would be like a pleasure cruise compared to this!
No. We'll hold our course.
Smoke?
Thank you.
Thank you, sir.
Now, don't worry, Mac. We'll make it.
I hope so. I canna swim.
Light, sir?
Mmm. Pardon.
Another match, please.
What's the matter? You superstitious?
No, but I dinna like to tempt Providence.
Ha ha! Ha ha!
Looks like they got us in number one hold.
There's a hole forward you could drive a tank through.
Break out the gasoline and oil at amidship and set fire to it.
Aye, aye, sir.
Mac, what's the damage down there?
Making water, sir.
We've started the bilge pump. We can keep her under control.
All right. Send a man forward to secure the bulkhead.
All hands to the cargo winch!
Bring your guns to starboard and hold fire.
Fill out those fire buckets with gas and oil,
spread them out and light it.
Is he crazy? Why is he buring the ship?
Trying to surface the sub.
Mac, come here!
If they think we're sinking,
they won't waste a torpedo on us. They may surface.
Stand by to break out this fire hose!
Stand by the fire hose!
Engine room, let oil into the boiler fires.
I want a smoke screen.
We'll give it to you, mister.
Open up 3, 5, and 7 oil valves!
Radio room, send out sos we're abandoning ship--
and don't believe it.
Look. She's surfacing.
Hard right! Hard right, sir.
Rudder hard right. Ship swinging right, sir.
Steady as she goes. Steady as she goes, sir.
Where did we hit her?
That's a job for a glass-bottom boat.
Jarvis: What's going on here, Mr. Rossi?
Why doesn't anyone report?
You remember when the old tanker burned,
the Nazis rammed our lifeboat,
you swore you'd find them and slice them like cheese?
Don't leave the bridge, we'll talk later.
Aye, aye, sir.
Boatswain, get that fire out! Get a move on!
Want to go into Murmansk looking like a tramp?
How many more days to Murmansk?
A couple, maybe 3.
I keep pinching myself to see if I'm alive.
Keep pinching, will you? We ain't there yet.
Hey, look!
I think they're on our side.
Famous last words.
No, they're ours, all right.
Russian planes off the starboard quarter!
Amyerakanskiy freighter--
Liberty ship.
Sure you can make it?
I'll be on that bridge
if chips has to build a frame to hold me up.
How do you like that? Nice, huh?
A regular Rembrandt.
If we keep knocking off Nazis like this,
they'll be commissioning us into the Navy.
The U.S.S. Seawitch.
Yes, sir. That's us!
It's a miracle.
That isn't a miracle.
It's American seamanship.
People in crowd: Tovarishchy!
Tovarishchy!
That's a great welcome for you, Joe.
Not for me, cap. It's for the ship.
Tovarishchy!
Put your heaving line on the dock!
Hey, what does that mean-- tovarishch?
That means comrade. That's good.
Oh. Tovar... Tov...
Comrade! Comrade!
The first time I ever wanted to kiss a longshoreman.
What's wrong, Joe?
I'm just thinking about the trip back.
Franklin Roosevelt: From the freedom-loving peoples
of the united nations
to our merchant seamen on all the oceans
goes our everlasting gratitude.
With their aid,
we shall build a bridge of ships to our allies,
over which we will roll the implements of war.
We shall see to it
that men and materials will be delivered
where they're needed and when they're needed.
Nothing on land, in the air,
on the sea, or under the sea
shall prevent our complete and final victory.