Hellcats of the Navy (1957) Movie Script
In 1944,
when Japan's island empire
was still
an impregnable fortress,
I approved plans,
as Commander in Chief
of the Pacific Fleet,
for one of the most daring
and formidable operations
in the history
of naval warfare.
The problem was
how to get past
the heavily mined entrances
into the Sea of Japan,
how to sever
the vital link of supply
between Japan
and the Asiatic mainland,
thereby breaking
his will to fight
and ensuring his destruction.
My faith
in this daring operation
was placed in men
like Vice-Admiral
Charles A. Lockwood,
Commander of Submarine Force,
Pacific Fleet,
and his faith
was placed in men
like Commander Casey Abbott,
Captain of the submarine
Starfish.
This is the story of
the life and death struggle,
fought not only beneath
the surface of the sea,
but within
the minds and hearts
of a valiant group of men,
the "Hellcats of the Navy."
My favorite kind!
Bah.
Hey, Freddy,
I made these
special for you.
Thanks.
Cookie, sir?
We should be sitting
right off the Honshu Coast.
See if those frogmen
are ready.
Aye, aye, sir.
We close enough
to pick up
a couple of
Geisha girls,
maybe, Mr. Landon?
Yeah. Nice fat ones,
with horns on them.
Horns?
He means mines, dope!
We're right
on the edge
of the minefield,
captain,
according to
the DRT.
Thanks, Don.
No sonar contact,
Mr. Landon.
Huh?
Where's the minefield?
It's there,
all right.
What do you see,
captain?
Nothing but fog.
All ahead one-third.
All ahead one-third.
We're right on the edge
of the Japanese
shipping lanes, Don.
Better take
those frogmen
out through
the escape truck.
Aye, aye, sir.
Where's Mr. Barton?
He moved into your bunk
this morning
to get some sleep, sir.
Too much acey-deucy,
I guess.
All right, see you
up forward.
Aye, aye, sir.
Let's go, fellas.
Come on, Wes!
Come on,
lover boy.
Dream sequence
is over.
You're on.
You're the head man
in this act,
so get into
your gear.
Oh, what time is it?
Time for you to go out
and get a couple
Japanese mines.
Oh, ain't I the lucky one?
Yeah. You're lucky it's
me waking you up
and not
Captain Abbott.
You think he's sore?
Oh, no, no,
he likes it,
when his girl's
going out
with another guy,
especially a J.G.
Well, look, was it
my fault?
She practically
sat down in my lap
and demanded attention.
Yeah. I hear she's
just that type.
Look, don't let
the quiet ones
fool you, Don,
I've been telling you
for years,
you've got to open
the oyster
to find the pearl.
Forget the oysters
this trip, will you?
Just bring back
two Japanese mines.
We've got to have them
if we're going to make
this new sonar work.
Oh, the next thing
you'll want
is a thing
like television
so you can see
where you're going.
I wish I could see
where you were going.
That girl again?
Look, what's
the big deal, pal?
Wes, I've seen you
playing the field
ever since the academy,
but this girl
is different.
She wouldn't fit
into a notch on your belt.
Oh, Don,
may I never live
to borrow
your skivvies again,
if I'm telling a lie,
but I didn't break up
this romance.
No, I got her
on the rebound
from Abbott.
Are you satisfied?
Now, where does it say
in Navy regulations...
Come on, they're waiting
for you out there.
A few days from now,
we'll be
sitting around
Wing Joe's,
listening
to Wes Barton
tell us all about
how he won the war.
Single-handed!
Hey, tell us about it,
will you, Wes?
Aw, come on.
All right.
Listen. Listen.
There I was,
right in the middle
of the Sea of Japan,
surrounded by
the entire Japanese Navy...
and all I had
was a pair of flippers.
A pair of flippers, huh?
Will you tell us
how you did it?
Hey, Cinderella,
here's your
magic slippers.
You men all ready?
We're all set, sir.
How about time?
20 minutes out,
20 minutes back--
no longer.
We'll surface
in 40 minutes.
What's so special
about these
particular mines?
Well, the Japanese have
done something to them,
so our sonar
won't pick them up.
We have to find out
what it is.
We lost the Needlefin
last week
trying to get through
these straits.
All right, let's make it.
Hey, Wes,
you'd better
hurry back.
You've got a pair
of my shoes.
I'm getting a new pair
of heels put on them.
You know how it is
being dragged
out of those bars.
Just the thing
for water polo, huh?
You're not kidding.
What happened to him?
Too much, too long.
Get him below!
Where's Barton?
He was with
Cordice and Smith.
Hey, Cordice!
Isn't Bart with you guys?
I thought he was
with you.
Hey, Barton!
Wes!
That guy couldn't drown!
We'll go back after him.
Barton!
Lines secured, sir.
Very well.
OFFICER: Radar contact
on the starboard bow, captain,
bearing zero-two-five.
How far?
About 3,000 yards.
Range closing fast.
Could be a destroyer.
Hey, Barton.
Landon!
We'll have to dive!
But, captain,
if you cut your engines,
they'll never find us
in this fog.
They may have us
on their radar already.
We've got to bring him in!
What's the position
on that radar report now?
2,500 yards.
Range closing fast!
Wes!
Clear the deck!
Captain, I see Wes!
Where?
About a hundred
yards off!
I see him, sir!
I think.
You! Get below!
Barton!
Wes!
Clear the bridge!
Lookouts below!
What about Wes Barton?
2,000 yards!
We can't do anything
for him now.
[ALARM WAILING]
Hatch shut!
Take her down fast!
Five-seven feet!
Ready all tubes!
Stand by
forward and aft!
Left full rudder!
Left full rudder!
Green board.
Pressure in the boat.
Main induction
shut and locked.
She's heard
our sounds.
She's passing
close aboard.
Battle stations torpedo.
Battle stations
torpedo.
Now man battle
stations, torpedo!
Man battle stations,
torpedo!
Range opening.
Bearing...
Mark.
Bearing
two-five-zero.
Final bearing
and shoot.
Stand by, aft.
Tubes aft
ready and standing by, sir.
Bearing...mark.
Bearing two-five-zero.
Fire seven.
Seven fired
electrically, sir.
Fire eight.
Eight fired
electrically, sir.
Got him!
High fast cruise
coming in on us, captain.
Stand by, forward.
Stand by, forward.
Final bearing and shoot.
All tubes ready, sir.
Bearing...
mark.
Bearing three-five-eight.
Fire one.
One fired electrically, sir.
Fire two.
Two fired
electrically, sir.
Missed him.
Scope down!
Flood negative.
Take her down deep.
They're over us now, sir.
Rig for depth charge.
All compartments
rig ship for depth charge.
Fire in the forward
engine room.
Lay aft, Don.
Check on the fire.
Aye, aye.
We've lost
main control, sir.
Screws have
stopped turning.
Take over, Paul,
I'm going to control.
What's our depth?
200 feet.
What's it look like
up there, Paul?
Can't even hear him now, sir.
Sonar power's off.
Ask maneuvering
about those shafts.
Maneuvering control,
what's the condition
of those shafts?
Fire's out
in the engine room, captain.
Full power restored
in the maneuvering room,
captain.
About Barton...
there was nothing else to do.
Thanks, honey.
You pulled me through again.
Hey, how's that?
That's Mabel.
That's my girl.
She brings me luck.
Hey! Not bad at all.
I'd say,
if she pulled you through,
she pulled me through.
She pulled us all through.
We all ought to kiss her.
Va-va-va-voom!
Ah, mon cherie,
you are so beautiful.
I must kiss you.
At least if you
kissed her
on the cheek!
Come on, Freddy,
give her a kiss.
She won't bite you.
Come on, Freddy.
Atta boy, Freddy.
You're my boyfriend.
Hey, Look out!
Cookie,
give me the picture.
Oh, baby!
Oh, come on.
Give me
the picture, Cook!
Okay, Landon,
let's talk.
What I've got
to say to you,
can't be said to
a commanding officer.
Spit it out.
You have my permission.
You haven't
served with me before.
Do you think I enjoy
letting men drown?
No, captain,
but by now I suppose
you've got yourself convinced
that this hurts you
more than it did him.
I don't
have to think
you had to let him die.
Some day, you may have
a command of your own.
If you want to take a chance
and risk an entire crew,
and ship, and a mission
for one man,
that will be
your decision to make.
This one was mine.
If you'd cut
your engines,
they might not
have found us.
Maybe not.
We'll never know,
will we?
But there was no time
to figure the odds.
I had to rely
on experience
and instinct.
Right or wrong,
I decided
to play it safe
for the 85 men
on this sub.
Tell me,
what did your "instinct"
tell you about this?
In that split second,
not knowing right from wrong,
did your instinct remind you
that Wes Barton
might be waltzing your girl
around the base?
I've had time
to consider my decision.
I still think it was right.
If you were wrong,
could you admit it,
even to yourself?
If you think I made
a personal decision
that cost Barton's life,
you have my permission
to report it
to the squadron commander.
I can't do anything about it,
and you know it.
I can't prove a thing.
About this girl...
Leave her out of this.
I know I gave you
permission to speak,
Mr. Landon,
so, I intend to forget
this conversation.
FREDDY:
I said, leave me alone!
I told you
to leave me alone!
It was an accident, sir.
We planned a little party
for Freddy.
He's 19 today,
and it's his first time out.
I had the cake
all ready, sir.
We figured
to go ahead
and try
to cheer him up.
Only I didn't want
to be cheered up, sir!
I figure that
after what happened today,
we shouldn't have
a birthday party,
we should have a wake.
Why, back where
I come from--
He's kind of broken up, sir.
He was on the deck,
and he claims
he saw Lieutenant Barton
just before we--
I did see him!
You probably did.
Port, back full.
Left full rudder.
All stop.
I can only say
that I feel the loss
of Lieutenant Barton
as keenly as you both do,
but according to your report,
Casey,
you did the only
thing possible.
Well, let's hope
the mine
you brought back
will give us
a real clue
to getting through
the Tsushima Straits.
We're covering
a few dozen dummy mines
with the same rubber
and acetate coating
we found on
the Japanese mine.
When we get the report
from the electronics lab,
we'll try
to fix our sonar
to pick them up.
There's another way
to do it, sir.
Japanese freighters
are going through
those straits every day.
We could follow one through
and chart a mine-free
channel for ourselves.
We lost the Needlefin
trying that.
We're not sure
how we lost
the Needlefin,
are we, sir?
Let's try it my way
for now, Casey.
We'll see how
the sonar tests go.
Aye, aye, sir.
Anything else?
I'd like
to talk to you
about my officer
personnel situation,
if I may, admiral?
Yes, sir.
Commander Abbott.
Case!
Oh, I was afraid
you wouldn't come.
You heard about Wes?
Yes.
I talked to Landon.
Somehow, I feel
it's all my fault.
Everything's such
a mess, and I--
Let's get out of here.
I'll sign out.
I've got a Jeep.
Take over for me,
will you, Frankie?
You knew I was fresh
out of a bad marriage
when we met.
I wanted to be sure
this time,
so we played it safe,
until I knew that
you were Mr. Right.
Then you gave me
that line
about wartime marriages.
I wanted a wife and kids,
not a widow and orphans.
Sure,
and I began to think
maybe you were playing
the South Sea circuit.
You knew better.
How could I know?
Did you give me
a postdated check?
So I got sore.
What really happened
is that I got
scared, unsure.
I had to prove to myself
I could still circulate.
You proved it
with Wes Barton.
Well, he was the guy
all the girls
whistled at,
and just about
the nicest guy
I ever knew,
but it wasn't love...
not for him or for me.
We both knew that.
I should have known it.
I should have come around
and found out
while I could still
do something about it.
That's what
I'm trying to say.
What happened out there
had nothing to do
with you and me.
It's Landon, isn't it?
He didn't come
right out and say so,
but I knew
what he thought.
It's crazy, Case.
Don't you see?
He doesn't know you.
Don't you see
how crazy it is?
He's right about
one thing.
I can't take up where
Wes Barton left off.
I'd never feel right,
and if I forgot,
they'd be people and faces
to remind me.
You!
What about me?
What about us?
I don't care
about people.
You have to
live with people.
You have to work
with them,
fight beside them.
It does matter.
I guess you'd better
take me back, Casey.
Take in two and three.
Take in four.
Leave her on easy on one.
All back two thirds.
How much longer
are we going
to play tag
with these
dummy mines, sir?
Until we get the bugs
out of that sonar gear.
The army may be
in Tokyo by then.
Try telling
the admiral that.
Clear the bridge!
[ALARM WAILS]
Can you interpret
that hash?
No, sir.
Would you say
there were mines
out there?
No, sir.
Well, there are.
Looks more like
fish or seaweed
to me, sir.
[BEEPING]
Does that sound
like seaweed?
No, sir.
All stop.
All stop.
Let's hope we're not
hung up again.
All back full.
All stop.
All stop.
All ahead one-third.
All ahead one-third.
Right full rudder.
Right full rudder.
It's working, sir.
It's working.
What did you
do to it?
I just remembered,
I cut in the new circuit
the lab gave us.
If it keeps on working
like this,
we've really got something.
Mine coming up.
Starboard side.
Rudder amidships.
Rudder amidships.
Steady as she goes.
Steady as she goes.
Take over, Landon,
and run the field.
Aye, aye, sir.
Naturals!
I'm telling you,
he shaved the dice!
Stop him, somebody!
I bet you five more
he comes out.
Use the cup, Carroll.
Come on. Blow. Blow.
Will you?
What do you mean,
blow? Come on!
Ha!
I got a six!
How're we doing on sixes?
Just a minute.
I have to figure it.
Hey, look, what's with
the pencil and paper bit?
Yeah, what do
you mean,
"How're we doing
on sixes?"
It's simple mathematics.
It's...
What do you call it, kid?
Combinations and permutations.
What's with this
"combinations
and permutations"?
Look, Freddy keeps tabs
on the numbers.
We know the odds.
If it ain't come up much,
we figure it's due to show,
otherwise, I figure
it's a sucker bet.
See? Combinations
and permutations!
I don't understand
combinations
and permutations.
You're okay
on sixes.
Well, how come
he knows so much?
Oh, look, never mind,
Carroll.
Shoot the dice.
He knows all about
science too--
radar, electronics, sonar.
I bet he knows more
about these sonar tests
than all you knucklebrains
put together.
He was explaining to me
about these minefields.
Look, either you shoot
the dice or get off the--
All right. All right.
Come on. Come on.
Fade me. Fade me.
All right.
Shoot already.
Six it is.
Look, after we
clean out the Japs,
Freddy and I are going to
take our system to Las Vegas,
ain't we, Freddy boy?
Come on.
Shoot the dice.
Come on now.
Fade me. Fade me.
You got it!
Here we go.
Is that floating crap game
still going on?
I'm afraid
it's chronic, sir.
Who's winning?
Carroll.
He claims
he's using science.
Well, I have to break it up,
but I don't have to
catch them at it.
I'm going forward, Charlie!
Forward room.
Yes, sir, captain.
Suppose we're going through
an enemy minefield...
like into Tokyo Bay.
What's this?
A kind of crap game?
Oh, no, sir.
Freddy was just
explaining to us
about the sonar tests.
Well, go on, Freddy.
I want to hear
this too.
Uh, these nickels,
dimes and quarters,
they're the mines
in the bay,
but a clear channel
has been left,
so a Japanese
harbor pilot,
having a chart,
can guide
friendly shipping through
without running into
any of the mines.
Only we don't have a chart,
so if we try
to get through,
we run into the mines,
and then we all get killed.
Go on.
That's all, sir.
One thing,
if this is
supposed to be
one of our ships,
you turned up
snake-eyes.
Snake-eyes are supposed to be
bad luck.
Isn't that right,
Carroll?
If you say so, sir.
Well, I'm glad to see
you're all up
on your sonar lessons,
but don't overdo it.
Commence reload drill.
That'll relax your minds.
Feels like
we're riding up
on another cable.
Secure that fish!
All stop.
All stop.
Push her back, fellows!
Doc! Doc! Somebody!
Doc! Come on.
The skull
is badly fractured.
There's no chance at all
unless we get him
right back to base.
Ring the conning tower.
Paul? Sonar and radar
still out?
They will be, captain,
for two or three hours.
What's our visibility?
What's visibility?
Tropical storm
coming up, captain,
visibility less than
a hundred yards.
I'm coming up.
The boy can't live
unless we get him
to base hospital right away.
Prepare to surface
two main engines.
If we surface,
we risk a collision
in this squall.
If we lay here
till that gear is fixed,
he'll be dead.
Sir, there are four
other destroyers,
three subs,
a minesweeper
and five PT boats
up there.
It's a big ocean, Mr. Landon.
What would you do?
Let the boy die?
No, sir, I wouldn't.
I'd take a chance
to save a life.
I think you made
the right decision--
this time.
Ready to surface below, sir.
Surface!
[ALARM WAILING]
Oh, hello, Casey.
How's that boy doing?
Still in a coma, sir.
Casey, your dummy
mine tests
have helped us a lot,
but I'm taking you off them
for a special mission.
You'll have sealed orders
aboard the Starfish
in an hour.
Yes, admiral.
About my exec,
Lieutenant-Commander Landon?
You say he is
a good officer.
Yes, sir.
Any reason
why he shouldn't
go out with you?
No, sir.
Good.
Then, hop to it, and...
lots of good luck, Casey.
Thank you, sir.
The captain would
like to see you
in the ward room, sir,
right away.
Steering course
two-five-zero.
Going ahead on standard
on four engines.
You have the con.
Aye, aye, sir.
We're on a special
nine-day assignment,
proceeding to the island
of Saishu-to.
Let's see, that's--
that's almost
60 miles southeast
of Tsushima Strait.
That's right.
We're to knock out
the island
so it can't be used
as a base
when we make
our breakthrough
into the Sea of Japan.
I want you to arrange
a small landing party,
one officer--
I'll take the party,
captain.
I don't think that's
a good idea, Landon.
But as second in command,
it's only right
I should lead the party.
In the event of trouble,
it might be necessary for me
to abandon the raiding party
in order to save this boat.
Yes, sir.
It's a question
of your confidence
in my judgment.
I understand exactly
what you mean, sir,
but it's my job.
I don't think I should
ask anyone else to take over.
Very well.
Pick your men.
No other orders.
Yes, sir.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
How does things
look up there?
No Japs,
but plenty of installation.
Ready to surface below.
Surface.
We'll surface for you
at 22:30.
Good luck.
Those explosions are off
ahead of schedule.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
PAUL:
One man's missing.
They got Carroll.
There they are, captain.
Close aboard starboard.
Clear the bridge!
Hatch shut!
Take her down
six-zero feet.
Aye, aye, sir.
They've got us
zeroed in.
We can't
stay down here
any longer, captain.
Landon says the pumps
can't keep up
with the water.
No sonar, no radar.
Only five miles
from the entrance
of the Sea of Japan
and those minefields.
Well, we'll just have
to take her up on guts.
Let's have a quick
look around first.
Paul! Have a look at this.
Landon,
there's
a Japanese merchantman
just heading into the Straits.
Quite a temptation.
I thought we were
supposed to avoid
contact with the enemy.
I'm not thinking
of sinking her--
just following her through.
But our orders, captain.
My orders don't say anything
about a situation like this.
We can't radio for new ones.
Here's our chance to log
every inch of that channel
right into the Sea of Japan.
Didn't Prentice tell you
that there was no suction
in the bilges,
and the drain pump's
burnt out?
Even with a trim,
we can't get any speed,
because the battery's too low.
This tub I'm watching
can only do about seven knots.
We'll limp along behind her.
I want
the torpedo room cleared.
Leave a volunteer in there
to hold the leak-stoppers.
Put on any air pressure
you need in that room
to keep the plugs in.
Aye, aye, sir.
We'll follow this baby
all the way in.
All ahead two thirds.
All ahead two thirds.
Clear the torpedo room.
It can get pretty rough
in the Straits, sir.
They might need you
up in the conning tower.
It might get rough
if those plugs pop.
I can handle that job.
I know you can,
but I want you outside.
I'm going to close
this hatch.
Keep up the air pressure.
We're going to need
plenty of it.
Mark the time, Paul.
One hour, 14 minutes
since we started
our transit.
In another 15 minutes,
we should be at--
Captain,
forward reducer
just let go, captain.
Shut that valve!
All stations,
put Mr. Landon on.
All stations,
put Mr. Landon on.
This is Landon
in the forward room, captain.
The room's under pressure.
Tubes forward, con.
When I want you to volunteer,
I'll tell you.
How are the plugs holding?
Well, I can keep them in
if control gives me back
the air pressure.
One plug just let go.
Charlie, how're you coming
with the air?
We're working on it, captain,
but I can't hold it
at periscope depth much longer
with that forward
torpedo room flooding.
According to DRT, two minutes
and we're through, captain,
with no gravy.
Landon,
you've got to hold out
for two more minutes.
Cullen, forward battery.
Forward torpedo room
flooding fast.
We're losing the bubble,
captain.
We'd better quit
with what we've got.
Prepare to surface,
four main engines.
Ready to surface,
four main engines, sir.
Surface!
[ALARM WAILING]
We're out of
the Straits, captain!
Here's the chart.
Talk about bringing
home the bacon.
A clear channel
into the Sea of Japan.
It could change
the whole course
of the war.
[SPEAKING JAPANESE]
[SPEAKING JAPANESE]
Right full rudder!
All ahead flank!
Battle stations!
Gun action!
Abandon ship.
Open all deck hatches.
Come on!
Over here! Come on.
Somebody, give us a hand.
Bring that boat.
Hunter Seven
calling Red Dog Two.
Spotted life raft,
picking up survivors.
Have ambulance ready, over.
I'll take over, Frankie.
All right.
You have to get
some rest.
I don't want to sleep,
dream, or wake up.
60 men trapped below
with the sea rushing in...
and the "lucky" ones
that escaped,
burning in the oil,
riddled by bullets.
Oh, Case.
Those weren't just casualties.
I knew them.
I knew about their families,
their plans.
Do you know what I feel?
Yes, I do know, Case.
When you were overdue,
and I thought
you weren't coming back,
I imagined every
awful minute of it.
Don't you think I know?
How are the others?
Charlie, Landon, Chick?
They'll be all right.
You have a slight concussion.
You have to stay
a little bit longer.
I have a slight concussion,
and 60 men are killed.
That ought to earn me
a purple heart
with 60 clusters!
An investigation, sir?
An inquiry into the loss
of the Starfish.
Naturally, I had to report
that the captain
carried out the action
against my advice.
I understand, sir.
But I don't mind telling
you that the charts
you brought back
is a mighty welcome form
of insurance.
The hearing is set
for 10:00 tomorrow.
The doctor said Abbott
should be on his feet by then.
Admiral Lockwood...
I understood
when I first shipped out
as Commander Abbott's exec,
that it was
a temporary assignment,
that I was in line
for a command of my own.
In fact, I thought
when the Sea Ray returned
from the China Sea...
Your last commanding officer
turned in a report
which makes it
impossible for me
to recommend
your assignment.
My last--
Do you mean
Captain Abbott, sir?
But what was the nature
of the report?
Is the report
subject to review, sir?
I'd prefer it, Landon,
if you'd discuss the matter
with Captain Abbott first.
Yes, sir.
Well, sir, the admiral
made it quite clear,
your report stands
in the way of my command.
Yes. I'm sorry, Landon.
Yes, sir.
I was hoping you'd
tell me about it.
Don't you know?
No, sir, I don't.
If it's because of the way
I talked to you
after Lieutenant Barton's
death,
I'll admit it was improper,
but you asked me
to "spit it out."
I recall your words.
My criticism
had nothing to do with that.
I reported that you
were an excellent
executive officer,
courageous, alert,
skillful and efficient.
Yes, sir.
I also remarked
you were not equipped
for the responsibility
of command,
because you seemed
incapable of making
the sometimes painful
decisions required
in an emergency.
Oh.
Now I understand, captain.
I doubt that,
Mr. Landon.
I think you're a man
who is ruled
by personal emotion,
and you attribute
that behavior
to everyone around you.
Until you overcome that,
you'll be unfit for
the responsibility of command.
Yes, sir.
Since you seem determined
to be proper today,
I might as well
say the rest of it.
I know what you think
of the Wes Barton episode.
You think too,
that out of remorse
and sentimentality,
I risked the Starfish
and crew
in order to save
Freddy Warren,
and now you think,
that, for reasons
of personal ambition,
I risked the passage
of Tsushima Straits
and lost my boat and men.
You said it, captain.
I didn't.
But it's what you think,
Landon,
and that's what I mean
by your inability to interpret
the decision of command
in anything
but personal terms,
and, until you grow up...
There's an inquiry
into the sinking
of the Starfish
tomorrow morning.
If you still think
you have a case
against me--
Sorry.
What is it?
Freddy Warren.
He's conscious
and asking for you.
He's very weak.
I'll see you tomorrow,
captain, at the inquiry.
Hi, Freddy.
I wondered
where the fellows were...
Carroll...
Jug, Benny...
Well, we've been out
on a mission, Freddy.
But you're back now.
They'll come now?
Yeah.
They'll be coming to see you.
I wanted to tell you
something, sir.
It's about Lieutenant Barton.
That day,
my birthday,
what I thought about you...
I wanted to tell you, sir,
I was wrong.
It's been on my mind
a long time.
I understand, Freddy.
No, sir.
I have to tell you.
I know what you did for me,
risking the ship, just for me.
That's how I know
I was wrong about you.
It's been on my mind.
It's very important...
important...
Come on, Case.
It's funny, in a way.
How do you mean?
He said it.
I took a chance to save him.
I wouldn't take a chance
to save Wes.
He didn't say that.
You're twisting it.
It's what Landon's
been believing
all this time.
It's not the same.
When the boy was hurt,
you didn't have
the whole Japanese navy
bearing down on you.
Of course, you took
a chance to save him.
A chance in a hundred.
Anybody would have.
I don't know anymore.
I don't know
how I'll ever know.
Previous testimony
has established
that you were without
radar or sonar,
and at this time,
you sighted
a Japanese merchantman.
Are these facts
correct, captain?
Captain Abbott?
Aye, aye, sir.
Captain, your operation orders
said nothing about a mission
through the Straits.
No, sir,
nor did they preclude it.
You are aware
Admiral Lockwood
advised against
any such attempt?
Yes, sir, but that advice
was based on other
circumstances.
Will you tell us, then,
what were the circumstances
that prompted your transit
in the Strait
in the wake
of this merchantman?
Yes, sir.
Knowing that we planned, soon,
to invade the Sea of Japan,
and appreciating the value
of a chart
through the minefield,
I decided
that the weather,
the time of day,
and the evident lack
of Japanese surveillance
all justified
the attempt.
I considered it
a target of opportunity
and within my discretion
as a commanding officer.
Did you take
into consideration
that your vessel
was already damaged?
It was my conclusion
that the damage
was not so extensive
as to interfere
with the mission.
As to the air-pressure
failure,
that didn't enter the picture
until I was fully committed.
Is there anything
else, captain?
Yes, sir.
I should point out
that I lost my boat
after maneuvering successfully
out of the Strait
into the open sea.
I had no radar
as a result of damage
on my original mission
to Saishu-to.
It was just bad luck.
Is that all, captain?
No, sir.
I request it be entered
into the record
that I was successful
in bringing back
a chart of the minefield.
Any other questions?
Thank you, captain.
Mr. Landon, this is
an informal inquiry,
but anything you say
will be entered
into the record
and may become
subsequently
a foundation
for a charge
against
Captain Abbott.
Yes, sir.
Did Captain Abbott
consult you,
as his executive
officer,
before undertaking
this foray?
I was in charge
of damage control
at the time, sir.
The captain merely
announced his decision to me.
Did you express
an opinion?
Yes, sir.
I tried to protest.
On what grounds,
Mr. Landon?
On the grounds
that a transit of the Strait
seemed to exceed
the permissible scope
of our assignment.
But you are aware now
that Admiral Lockwood
never expressly prohibited
such a mission,
and that Captain Abbott
was unable to radio
for instructions?
Yes, sir.
I'm aware of that.
Mr. Landon,
I know this may be
distasteful to you,
but as next
ranking officer,
I must ask you,
do you have any reason
to believe
that Captain Abbott
was guilty
of any negligence
or dereliction of duty?
Sir, that's a conclusion
that you're asking of me,
not facts.
You may express a conclusion,
but I must ask you
to be candid.
I'm sorry, sir.
I cannot answer that.
Do you wish
to bring forward
any other facts
which will assist
this board
in reaching a conclusion
about Captain Abbott's action?
Facts?
No, sir.
No other facts.
You know, Casey,
in conditions of war,
the line between initiative
and heroism on the one hand
and recklessness
and dereliction on the other
is sometimes hard to draw.
There's the report
of the Board of Investigation
in the matter
of the loss of the Starfish.
They concluded
that your actions
were justified
and they've recommended
no further proceedings.
I'm glad, Casey.
I want you to know that
I agree with their conclusion.
Thank you, sir.
You don't seem very pleased.
I understand
the final briefing
for the Sea of Japan
take-off
is scheduled for
some time this afternoon.
Yes, and I want you
to be there.
I've no command, sir.
Well, the Sea Ray
is back from
the China Sea.
Yes, sir?
It was Admiral Nimitz's
personal suggestion
that you take
over its command.
The Sea Ray.
That's the boat
Landon expected to get.
I'll have a talk with him.
You be at the briefing
this afternoon at 4:00.
If Landon is there,
he's your exec.
Aye, aye, sir.
Gentlemen,
the admirals are here.
Attention on deck!
Good evening, gentlemen.
Carry on.
All right, Bill,
go ahead.
Well, you Hellcats
are shoving off at dawn
in three groups,
gentlemen,
Hepcats, Polecats
and Bobcats.
Now, we have calculated
your time of departure
to permit an E.T.A.
at Tsushima Strait
at zero hour
based on a speed
of 13 knots.
Rely on your new sonar.
In case of mechanical failure,
you have
Captain Abbott's chart
on a clear channel
through the minefields.
Once in the Sea of Japan,
all Hellcats are
to reconnoiter their areas.
How have these areas
been assigned, Lockwood?
The Bobcats
will lay off Honshu,
the Polecats off Korea,
and the Hepcats off Hokkaido.
You are to remain unseen
until sunset of June 9th.
Is that clear, gentlemen?
That will be the hour
for commence firing.
You mean, from
here on, admiral,
it's every cat
for himself?
You're to torpedo or gun
everything in sight,
freighters, trawlers,
even sampans.
Why the wait
until we start
popping them, admiral?
Intelligence figures
the Japanese know
something is brewing.
We don't want any single unit
to be spotted
until you're all in position
to go into action
simultaneously.
You are to rendezvous
on June 23rd
west of La Perousse Strait,
and make your exit.
Any questions,
gentlemen?
No, sir.
Now Admiral Nimitz
would like to say
a few words.
With the help of
the men in this room,
we have beaten
the Japanese back
from the very shores
of Hawaii and Australia,
from Guadalcanal,
from the Philippines,
New Guinea, the Gilberts,
Solomons, Carolines
and the Marianas.
We have retrieved
the vast empire
they sought to plunder,
but we cannot
achieve victory
until we isolate
the home island
from their main
source of coal,
iron, and food
on the continent of Asia.
It is your mission,
gentlemen,
to demonstrate
to the Japanese people
that even their
warlord's private lake
is fair fishing
for the American Navy,
so make it a big show,
and remember,
this time,
we're reaching for victory.
Good hunting and Godspeed.
Oh, hi, Helen.
Hi.
How's young
Freddy doing?
Well, he's doing
much better, I think.
How about buying me
a cigarette?
Sure. See you on board.
Aye, aye, sir.
Say, what about me?
Well, take your pick.
It must be a big push
this time, Case.
The admiral told me
not to tell.
The admiral
should have told me
not to worry.
I thought we'd
settled all that,
about you and me.
It won't
stay settled, Case,
not until you tell me
you've stopped caring.
Still beating your
chest about Wes?
Well, I guess I didn't have
much to say after all.
What are you going to do
after the war, Case?
I've told you
a hundred times.
I want to hear it
once more.
I'm going into
the surplus business.
I'm going to buy up
all the old mines
and sell them
to the man in the moon.
There's no water
on the moon.
How do you know
so much about the moon?
I know a lot about it.
I spend all my time
looking at it
when you're away.
That's how it still is
with me, Case.
It's time for me to go now.
LANDON:
The aft torpedo room
looked like the fountains
of the French palace.
He couldn't have picked
a better place to surface.
It looked as though
we were right in the--
Did I interrupt something?
Well, I was just telling them
how we lost the Starfish
on your last patrol.
If you've finished
with your coffee, Mr. Landon,
and through telling
war stories,
would you mind making up
a position report?
Aye, aye, sir.
Mr. Landon probably
didn't tell you
about his own part
in that last patrol.
He preformed
with great bravery.
He's a fine officer.
We're ready for the transit
of Tsushima, captain.
Can you give me a fix?
What do we hear
from the other boats, Foley?
All communications are shut
off until H-Hour,
June 9th, sir.
Kaiko-to bearing,
Mark.
Peak bearing,
Mark.
Charlie.
We'll make our transit
by the chart.
Depth, one-two-zero.
One-two-zero feet, captain.
We're at the halfway
mark, captain.
Mines ahead, sir.
I thought this
was too easy.
No mines
or surface vessels.
How far?
I can't tell.
Blips are coming in
all over the place.
They must be
packed solid.
Rig for depth charge.
All compartments,
rig ship for depth charge.
All stop.
All stop.
All back two thirds.
All back two thirds.
Rudder amidship.
Rudder amidship, sir.
Mine cable scraping
down the port-side
of the after battery, captain.
Left full rudder.
Port stop.
Left full rudder. Port stop.
We're clear, sir.
The Japanese must have shifted
their minefield pattern, sir.
I hope the rest of
our subs caught it.
Destroyer screws on
the starboard bow, captain,
coming in fast.
I've got to get
under those mines.
How deep can I go?
250 feet.
Rig for silent running.
Rig for depth charge.
Rig for silent running.
Rig for depth charge.
200 feet, Charlie.
200 feet, captain.
Put her on the bottom.
When are they
going to give up?
I think they're
gone, sir.
Can't be sure.
Sonar's out.
How long to fix it?
I don't know.
I don't know what's
the matter yet, sir.
No sonar. An unreliable chart.
And they knew we're down here.
How long can we continue
running at 200 feet?
All the way.
take her up to 200 feet.
Maybe we can sneak in
under their minefield.
Charlie, take her up.
200 feet.
Captain!
According to
the DRT chart,
we're through.
Well, I'd better
check it with a fix.
Six-two feet.
Bring her up smartly.
All ahead full.
All ahead full.
We're through all right.
What a temptation.
The pond's
lousy with them!
I'd sure like to get
one of them now, captain.
When the time comes,
we'll get them all.
Down scope.
Japanese freighter
off the port bow,
heading north.
And it's sunset,
June 9th.
Now man battle stations
torpedo.
Man battle stations torpedo.
[ALARM]
Range...mark.
One-two,
double-o-yards.
Gyro matched and ready.
Heave!
Final bearing
and shoot.
Fire one.
One fired electrically.
Fire two.
Two fired electrically.
Banzai!
Up their kilt!
Final bearing
and shoot.
Bearing...mark!
Bearing
one-o-four.
Fire four.
Range...mark.
900 yards.
Angle on the bow zero.
Down the throat shot.
Final bearing and shoot.
Bearing...mark.
One-three-five.
Fire seven.
Seven fired electrically.
Fire eight.
Eight fired electrically.
Got him.
Sounds like another can
astern of us, captain.
Coming in fast.
Range...mark.
700 yards.
Final bearing
and shoot.
Bearing, mark.
Bearing one-eight-two.
Fire nine.
Nine fired electrically.
Fire 10.
10 fired electrically.
Missed.
Flood negative.
Take her down deep.
All ahead full.
All ahead full, sir.
She's above us now, captain.
Fire in the I.C. board.
What's our depth?
Approaching 250 feet, captain.
All ahead one third.
Mr. Landon, go below
and secure everything.
Aye, aye, sir.
Course zero-one-zero.
Course zero-one-zero, sir.
Charlie, we're going to
hug the coast
at about 8,000 yards
and cut down sonar detection
from seaward.
Aye, aye, sir.
Foley, you better go
see how they're doing.
Aye, sir.
They'll be
all right, captain.
Oh, brother,
I'm so tired,
I'm breathing from memory.
What did
we catch, Bob?
About 15,000 tons,
by the identification books.
Five A-Ks. Two destroyers.
Not bad for
a few days work.
Mr. Altman
to the conning tower.
Mr. Altman
to the conning tower.
Pardon me, captain.
I broke these dispatches
from the other boats, sir.
Hmm. Sea Tiger
got three A-Ks,
one 1,500-ton destroyer
and three luggers.
Hey, the rest
bagged 22 vessels
and one submarine.
70,000 tons!
[INTERCOM BUZZES]
Captain.
Very well.
Landon's got something
on the sonar.
Wants me to come up.
No word from
the Sandfish yet, huh?
No, sir, I'm--
I'm afraid
they got it,
otherwise
she would have
come up on the circuit.
What do you make
of this, captain?
Our charts don't show
any nets at La Perousse.
It could be--
If it is,
it looks like there's
a beautiful hole
at zero-one-five
relative.
Right full rudder.
All ahead two thirds.
Right full rudder,
all ahead two thirds.
Looks like
a bull's eye, captain.
Con maneuvering.
Something just hit
the starboard prop.
All stop.
All stop.
Stern planes is jammed.
Stern planes jammed
and out of commission,
captain.
All back two thirds.
All back two thirds.
Diving officer says
we can't hover here
any longer, captain.
Hm.
We'll have to surface
to fix it.
That destroyer
is still up there
looking for us.
Prepare to surface
on battery.
Prepare to surface,
on the battery.
Well, there are only
three of us on board
to do the job.
Looks like you two
are out.
Send the diving gear,
the one with the phone,
to my state room.
Landon, take over.
Aye, aye, sir.
Ready to surface below.
Surface.
Any luck, sir?
How long
have I been down?
20 minutes.
I can't get it.
[CLINKING]
What was that, sir?
I'm caught in the wire.
Captain, I'm sending a man
down to help you.
No, I think
I'm getting it.
Japanese destroyer coming in
from bearing zero-seven-zero.
Distance, 4,000 yards.
Captain.
Destroyer, 4,000 yards.
Take her down.
I'm stuck.
I can't get loose.
No!
Fulton, get into your gear.
Landon, I'm ordering you.
Take her down!
No, sir!
Destroyer now at 2,000 yards.
There are 81 men
onboard this sub.
They're your responsibility.
Clear the deck!
Run, boys.
Hatch secure.
Six-zero feet.
Man battle stations torpedo.
Man battle stations
torpedo.
Stand by, forward.
Stand by, one and two.
Tubes full and con.
Stand by, forward.
Stand by, one and two.
One and two ready
and standing by, sir.
Final bearing and shoot.
Bearing--
mark.
Down scope.
Three-zero-zero.
All tubes ready, sir.
Fire one.
One fired electrically.
Fire two.
Two fired electrically.
If he got free
of the cable,
there should be
a chance.
After torpedo room, con.
After torpedo room, aye.
Any sound from
the clearing cables?
No, sir.
Cables are clear.
Up scope.
Wait a minute!
There he is.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
It's Abbott.
He's out there!
Ready to
surface below, sir.
Surface.
Landon?
Are we through
La Perousse yet?
Yes, captain, we're through.
All boats accounted for
except the Sandfish.
Course zero-nine-zero.
We're headed home.
About this morning, sir--
I'm just glad you surfaced.
It was a long swim
back to Guam.
I think there's more
to say than that.
About myself--
I've-- I've been wrong
about a lot of things.
We've both been wrong.
No, sir, I want to say it.
Suddenly, I saw things
a lot differently
when I had to take over.
You'll make
a good commander, Don.
Thank you, sir.
If you take over
command of the Sea Ray,
I'm going to need
a new boat
and a new exec.
Of course,
I'm going to need
a best man too.
That's a pretty
personal thing, Don.
That's the way
I'd like it, Case.
when Japan's island empire
was still
an impregnable fortress,
I approved plans,
as Commander in Chief
of the Pacific Fleet,
for one of the most daring
and formidable operations
in the history
of naval warfare.
The problem was
how to get past
the heavily mined entrances
into the Sea of Japan,
how to sever
the vital link of supply
between Japan
and the Asiatic mainland,
thereby breaking
his will to fight
and ensuring his destruction.
My faith
in this daring operation
was placed in men
like Vice-Admiral
Charles A. Lockwood,
Commander of Submarine Force,
Pacific Fleet,
and his faith
was placed in men
like Commander Casey Abbott,
Captain of the submarine
Starfish.
This is the story of
the life and death struggle,
fought not only beneath
the surface of the sea,
but within
the minds and hearts
of a valiant group of men,
the "Hellcats of the Navy."
My favorite kind!
Bah.
Hey, Freddy,
I made these
special for you.
Thanks.
Cookie, sir?
We should be sitting
right off the Honshu Coast.
See if those frogmen
are ready.
Aye, aye, sir.
We close enough
to pick up
a couple of
Geisha girls,
maybe, Mr. Landon?
Yeah. Nice fat ones,
with horns on them.
Horns?
He means mines, dope!
We're right
on the edge
of the minefield,
captain,
according to
the DRT.
Thanks, Don.
No sonar contact,
Mr. Landon.
Huh?
Where's the minefield?
It's there,
all right.
What do you see,
captain?
Nothing but fog.
All ahead one-third.
All ahead one-third.
We're right on the edge
of the Japanese
shipping lanes, Don.
Better take
those frogmen
out through
the escape truck.
Aye, aye, sir.
Where's Mr. Barton?
He moved into your bunk
this morning
to get some sleep, sir.
Too much acey-deucy,
I guess.
All right, see you
up forward.
Aye, aye, sir.
Let's go, fellas.
Come on, Wes!
Come on,
lover boy.
Dream sequence
is over.
You're on.
You're the head man
in this act,
so get into
your gear.
Oh, what time is it?
Time for you to go out
and get a couple
Japanese mines.
Oh, ain't I the lucky one?
Yeah. You're lucky it's
me waking you up
and not
Captain Abbott.
You think he's sore?
Oh, no, no,
he likes it,
when his girl's
going out
with another guy,
especially a J.G.
Well, look, was it
my fault?
She practically
sat down in my lap
and demanded attention.
Yeah. I hear she's
just that type.
Look, don't let
the quiet ones
fool you, Don,
I've been telling you
for years,
you've got to open
the oyster
to find the pearl.
Forget the oysters
this trip, will you?
Just bring back
two Japanese mines.
We've got to have them
if we're going to make
this new sonar work.
Oh, the next thing
you'll want
is a thing
like television
so you can see
where you're going.
I wish I could see
where you were going.
That girl again?
Look, what's
the big deal, pal?
Wes, I've seen you
playing the field
ever since the academy,
but this girl
is different.
She wouldn't fit
into a notch on your belt.
Oh, Don,
may I never live
to borrow
your skivvies again,
if I'm telling a lie,
but I didn't break up
this romance.
No, I got her
on the rebound
from Abbott.
Are you satisfied?
Now, where does it say
in Navy regulations...
Come on, they're waiting
for you out there.
A few days from now,
we'll be
sitting around
Wing Joe's,
listening
to Wes Barton
tell us all about
how he won the war.
Single-handed!
Hey, tell us about it,
will you, Wes?
Aw, come on.
All right.
Listen. Listen.
There I was,
right in the middle
of the Sea of Japan,
surrounded by
the entire Japanese Navy...
and all I had
was a pair of flippers.
A pair of flippers, huh?
Will you tell us
how you did it?
Hey, Cinderella,
here's your
magic slippers.
You men all ready?
We're all set, sir.
How about time?
20 minutes out,
20 minutes back--
no longer.
We'll surface
in 40 minutes.
What's so special
about these
particular mines?
Well, the Japanese have
done something to them,
so our sonar
won't pick them up.
We have to find out
what it is.
We lost the Needlefin
last week
trying to get through
these straits.
All right, let's make it.
Hey, Wes,
you'd better
hurry back.
You've got a pair
of my shoes.
I'm getting a new pair
of heels put on them.
You know how it is
being dragged
out of those bars.
Just the thing
for water polo, huh?
You're not kidding.
What happened to him?
Too much, too long.
Get him below!
Where's Barton?
He was with
Cordice and Smith.
Hey, Cordice!
Isn't Bart with you guys?
I thought he was
with you.
Hey, Barton!
Wes!
That guy couldn't drown!
We'll go back after him.
Barton!
Lines secured, sir.
Very well.
OFFICER: Radar contact
on the starboard bow, captain,
bearing zero-two-five.
How far?
About 3,000 yards.
Range closing fast.
Could be a destroyer.
Hey, Barton.
Landon!
We'll have to dive!
But, captain,
if you cut your engines,
they'll never find us
in this fog.
They may have us
on their radar already.
We've got to bring him in!
What's the position
on that radar report now?
2,500 yards.
Range closing fast!
Wes!
Clear the deck!
Captain, I see Wes!
Where?
About a hundred
yards off!
I see him, sir!
I think.
You! Get below!
Barton!
Wes!
Clear the bridge!
Lookouts below!
What about Wes Barton?
2,000 yards!
We can't do anything
for him now.
[ALARM WAILING]
Hatch shut!
Take her down fast!
Five-seven feet!
Ready all tubes!
Stand by
forward and aft!
Left full rudder!
Left full rudder!
Green board.
Pressure in the boat.
Main induction
shut and locked.
She's heard
our sounds.
She's passing
close aboard.
Battle stations torpedo.
Battle stations
torpedo.
Now man battle
stations, torpedo!
Man battle stations,
torpedo!
Range opening.
Bearing...
Mark.
Bearing
two-five-zero.
Final bearing
and shoot.
Stand by, aft.
Tubes aft
ready and standing by, sir.
Bearing...mark.
Bearing two-five-zero.
Fire seven.
Seven fired
electrically, sir.
Fire eight.
Eight fired
electrically, sir.
Got him!
High fast cruise
coming in on us, captain.
Stand by, forward.
Stand by, forward.
Final bearing and shoot.
All tubes ready, sir.
Bearing...
mark.
Bearing three-five-eight.
Fire one.
One fired electrically, sir.
Fire two.
Two fired
electrically, sir.
Missed him.
Scope down!
Flood negative.
Take her down deep.
They're over us now, sir.
Rig for depth charge.
All compartments
rig ship for depth charge.
Fire in the forward
engine room.
Lay aft, Don.
Check on the fire.
Aye, aye.
We've lost
main control, sir.
Screws have
stopped turning.
Take over, Paul,
I'm going to control.
What's our depth?
200 feet.
What's it look like
up there, Paul?
Can't even hear him now, sir.
Sonar power's off.
Ask maneuvering
about those shafts.
Maneuvering control,
what's the condition
of those shafts?
Fire's out
in the engine room, captain.
Full power restored
in the maneuvering room,
captain.
About Barton...
there was nothing else to do.
Thanks, honey.
You pulled me through again.
Hey, how's that?
That's Mabel.
That's my girl.
She brings me luck.
Hey! Not bad at all.
I'd say,
if she pulled you through,
she pulled me through.
She pulled us all through.
We all ought to kiss her.
Va-va-va-voom!
Ah, mon cherie,
you are so beautiful.
I must kiss you.
At least if you
kissed her
on the cheek!
Come on, Freddy,
give her a kiss.
She won't bite you.
Come on, Freddy.
Atta boy, Freddy.
You're my boyfriend.
Hey, Look out!
Cookie,
give me the picture.
Oh, baby!
Oh, come on.
Give me
the picture, Cook!
Okay, Landon,
let's talk.
What I've got
to say to you,
can't be said to
a commanding officer.
Spit it out.
You have my permission.
You haven't
served with me before.
Do you think I enjoy
letting men drown?
No, captain,
but by now I suppose
you've got yourself convinced
that this hurts you
more than it did him.
I don't
have to think
you had to let him die.
Some day, you may have
a command of your own.
If you want to take a chance
and risk an entire crew,
and ship, and a mission
for one man,
that will be
your decision to make.
This one was mine.
If you'd cut
your engines,
they might not
have found us.
Maybe not.
We'll never know,
will we?
But there was no time
to figure the odds.
I had to rely
on experience
and instinct.
Right or wrong,
I decided
to play it safe
for the 85 men
on this sub.
Tell me,
what did your "instinct"
tell you about this?
In that split second,
not knowing right from wrong,
did your instinct remind you
that Wes Barton
might be waltzing your girl
around the base?
I've had time
to consider my decision.
I still think it was right.
If you were wrong,
could you admit it,
even to yourself?
If you think I made
a personal decision
that cost Barton's life,
you have my permission
to report it
to the squadron commander.
I can't do anything about it,
and you know it.
I can't prove a thing.
About this girl...
Leave her out of this.
I know I gave you
permission to speak,
Mr. Landon,
so, I intend to forget
this conversation.
FREDDY:
I said, leave me alone!
I told you
to leave me alone!
It was an accident, sir.
We planned a little party
for Freddy.
He's 19 today,
and it's his first time out.
I had the cake
all ready, sir.
We figured
to go ahead
and try
to cheer him up.
Only I didn't want
to be cheered up, sir!
I figure that
after what happened today,
we shouldn't have
a birthday party,
we should have a wake.
Why, back where
I come from--
He's kind of broken up, sir.
He was on the deck,
and he claims
he saw Lieutenant Barton
just before we--
I did see him!
You probably did.
Port, back full.
Left full rudder.
All stop.
I can only say
that I feel the loss
of Lieutenant Barton
as keenly as you both do,
but according to your report,
Casey,
you did the only
thing possible.
Well, let's hope
the mine
you brought back
will give us
a real clue
to getting through
the Tsushima Straits.
We're covering
a few dozen dummy mines
with the same rubber
and acetate coating
we found on
the Japanese mine.
When we get the report
from the electronics lab,
we'll try
to fix our sonar
to pick them up.
There's another way
to do it, sir.
Japanese freighters
are going through
those straits every day.
We could follow one through
and chart a mine-free
channel for ourselves.
We lost the Needlefin
trying that.
We're not sure
how we lost
the Needlefin,
are we, sir?
Let's try it my way
for now, Casey.
We'll see how
the sonar tests go.
Aye, aye, sir.
Anything else?
I'd like
to talk to you
about my officer
personnel situation,
if I may, admiral?
Yes, sir.
Commander Abbott.
Case!
Oh, I was afraid
you wouldn't come.
You heard about Wes?
Yes.
I talked to Landon.
Somehow, I feel
it's all my fault.
Everything's such
a mess, and I--
Let's get out of here.
I'll sign out.
I've got a Jeep.
Take over for me,
will you, Frankie?
You knew I was fresh
out of a bad marriage
when we met.
I wanted to be sure
this time,
so we played it safe,
until I knew that
you were Mr. Right.
Then you gave me
that line
about wartime marriages.
I wanted a wife and kids,
not a widow and orphans.
Sure,
and I began to think
maybe you were playing
the South Sea circuit.
You knew better.
How could I know?
Did you give me
a postdated check?
So I got sore.
What really happened
is that I got
scared, unsure.
I had to prove to myself
I could still circulate.
You proved it
with Wes Barton.
Well, he was the guy
all the girls
whistled at,
and just about
the nicest guy
I ever knew,
but it wasn't love...
not for him or for me.
We both knew that.
I should have known it.
I should have come around
and found out
while I could still
do something about it.
That's what
I'm trying to say.
What happened out there
had nothing to do
with you and me.
It's Landon, isn't it?
He didn't come
right out and say so,
but I knew
what he thought.
It's crazy, Case.
Don't you see?
He doesn't know you.
Don't you see
how crazy it is?
He's right about
one thing.
I can't take up where
Wes Barton left off.
I'd never feel right,
and if I forgot,
they'd be people and faces
to remind me.
You!
What about me?
What about us?
I don't care
about people.
You have to
live with people.
You have to work
with them,
fight beside them.
It does matter.
I guess you'd better
take me back, Casey.
Take in two and three.
Take in four.
Leave her on easy on one.
All back two thirds.
How much longer
are we going
to play tag
with these
dummy mines, sir?
Until we get the bugs
out of that sonar gear.
The army may be
in Tokyo by then.
Try telling
the admiral that.
Clear the bridge!
[ALARM WAILS]
Can you interpret
that hash?
No, sir.
Would you say
there were mines
out there?
No, sir.
Well, there are.
Looks more like
fish or seaweed
to me, sir.
[BEEPING]
Does that sound
like seaweed?
No, sir.
All stop.
All stop.
Let's hope we're not
hung up again.
All back full.
All stop.
All stop.
All ahead one-third.
All ahead one-third.
Right full rudder.
Right full rudder.
It's working, sir.
It's working.
What did you
do to it?
I just remembered,
I cut in the new circuit
the lab gave us.
If it keeps on working
like this,
we've really got something.
Mine coming up.
Starboard side.
Rudder amidships.
Rudder amidships.
Steady as she goes.
Steady as she goes.
Take over, Landon,
and run the field.
Aye, aye, sir.
Naturals!
I'm telling you,
he shaved the dice!
Stop him, somebody!
I bet you five more
he comes out.
Use the cup, Carroll.
Come on. Blow. Blow.
Will you?
What do you mean,
blow? Come on!
Ha!
I got a six!
How're we doing on sixes?
Just a minute.
I have to figure it.
Hey, look, what's with
the pencil and paper bit?
Yeah, what do
you mean,
"How're we doing
on sixes?"
It's simple mathematics.
It's...
What do you call it, kid?
Combinations and permutations.
What's with this
"combinations
and permutations"?
Look, Freddy keeps tabs
on the numbers.
We know the odds.
If it ain't come up much,
we figure it's due to show,
otherwise, I figure
it's a sucker bet.
See? Combinations
and permutations!
I don't understand
combinations
and permutations.
You're okay
on sixes.
Well, how come
he knows so much?
Oh, look, never mind,
Carroll.
Shoot the dice.
He knows all about
science too--
radar, electronics, sonar.
I bet he knows more
about these sonar tests
than all you knucklebrains
put together.
He was explaining to me
about these minefields.
Look, either you shoot
the dice or get off the--
All right. All right.
Come on. Come on.
Fade me. Fade me.
All right.
Shoot already.
Six it is.
Look, after we
clean out the Japs,
Freddy and I are going to
take our system to Las Vegas,
ain't we, Freddy boy?
Come on.
Shoot the dice.
Come on now.
Fade me. Fade me.
You got it!
Here we go.
Is that floating crap game
still going on?
I'm afraid
it's chronic, sir.
Who's winning?
Carroll.
He claims
he's using science.
Well, I have to break it up,
but I don't have to
catch them at it.
I'm going forward, Charlie!
Forward room.
Yes, sir, captain.
Suppose we're going through
an enemy minefield...
like into Tokyo Bay.
What's this?
A kind of crap game?
Oh, no, sir.
Freddy was just
explaining to us
about the sonar tests.
Well, go on, Freddy.
I want to hear
this too.
Uh, these nickels,
dimes and quarters,
they're the mines
in the bay,
but a clear channel
has been left,
so a Japanese
harbor pilot,
having a chart,
can guide
friendly shipping through
without running into
any of the mines.
Only we don't have a chart,
so if we try
to get through,
we run into the mines,
and then we all get killed.
Go on.
That's all, sir.
One thing,
if this is
supposed to be
one of our ships,
you turned up
snake-eyes.
Snake-eyes are supposed to be
bad luck.
Isn't that right,
Carroll?
If you say so, sir.
Well, I'm glad to see
you're all up
on your sonar lessons,
but don't overdo it.
Commence reload drill.
That'll relax your minds.
Feels like
we're riding up
on another cable.
Secure that fish!
All stop.
All stop.
Push her back, fellows!
Doc! Doc! Somebody!
Doc! Come on.
The skull
is badly fractured.
There's no chance at all
unless we get him
right back to base.
Ring the conning tower.
Paul? Sonar and radar
still out?
They will be, captain,
for two or three hours.
What's our visibility?
What's visibility?
Tropical storm
coming up, captain,
visibility less than
a hundred yards.
I'm coming up.
The boy can't live
unless we get him
to base hospital right away.
Prepare to surface
two main engines.
If we surface,
we risk a collision
in this squall.
If we lay here
till that gear is fixed,
he'll be dead.
Sir, there are four
other destroyers,
three subs,
a minesweeper
and five PT boats
up there.
It's a big ocean, Mr. Landon.
What would you do?
Let the boy die?
No, sir, I wouldn't.
I'd take a chance
to save a life.
I think you made
the right decision--
this time.
Ready to surface below, sir.
Surface!
[ALARM WAILING]
Oh, hello, Casey.
How's that boy doing?
Still in a coma, sir.
Casey, your dummy
mine tests
have helped us a lot,
but I'm taking you off them
for a special mission.
You'll have sealed orders
aboard the Starfish
in an hour.
Yes, admiral.
About my exec,
Lieutenant-Commander Landon?
You say he is
a good officer.
Yes, sir.
Any reason
why he shouldn't
go out with you?
No, sir.
Good.
Then, hop to it, and...
lots of good luck, Casey.
Thank you, sir.
The captain would
like to see you
in the ward room, sir,
right away.
Steering course
two-five-zero.
Going ahead on standard
on four engines.
You have the con.
Aye, aye, sir.
We're on a special
nine-day assignment,
proceeding to the island
of Saishu-to.
Let's see, that's--
that's almost
60 miles southeast
of Tsushima Strait.
That's right.
We're to knock out
the island
so it can't be used
as a base
when we make
our breakthrough
into the Sea of Japan.
I want you to arrange
a small landing party,
one officer--
I'll take the party,
captain.
I don't think that's
a good idea, Landon.
But as second in command,
it's only right
I should lead the party.
In the event of trouble,
it might be necessary for me
to abandon the raiding party
in order to save this boat.
Yes, sir.
It's a question
of your confidence
in my judgment.
I understand exactly
what you mean, sir,
but it's my job.
I don't think I should
ask anyone else to take over.
Very well.
Pick your men.
No other orders.
Yes, sir.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
How does things
look up there?
No Japs,
but plenty of installation.
Ready to surface below.
Surface.
We'll surface for you
at 22:30.
Good luck.
Those explosions are off
ahead of schedule.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
PAUL:
One man's missing.
They got Carroll.
There they are, captain.
Close aboard starboard.
Clear the bridge!
Hatch shut!
Take her down
six-zero feet.
Aye, aye, sir.
They've got us
zeroed in.
We can't
stay down here
any longer, captain.
Landon says the pumps
can't keep up
with the water.
No sonar, no radar.
Only five miles
from the entrance
of the Sea of Japan
and those minefields.
Well, we'll just have
to take her up on guts.
Let's have a quick
look around first.
Paul! Have a look at this.
Landon,
there's
a Japanese merchantman
just heading into the Straits.
Quite a temptation.
I thought we were
supposed to avoid
contact with the enemy.
I'm not thinking
of sinking her--
just following her through.
But our orders, captain.
My orders don't say anything
about a situation like this.
We can't radio for new ones.
Here's our chance to log
every inch of that channel
right into the Sea of Japan.
Didn't Prentice tell you
that there was no suction
in the bilges,
and the drain pump's
burnt out?
Even with a trim,
we can't get any speed,
because the battery's too low.
This tub I'm watching
can only do about seven knots.
We'll limp along behind her.
I want
the torpedo room cleared.
Leave a volunteer in there
to hold the leak-stoppers.
Put on any air pressure
you need in that room
to keep the plugs in.
Aye, aye, sir.
We'll follow this baby
all the way in.
All ahead two thirds.
All ahead two thirds.
Clear the torpedo room.
It can get pretty rough
in the Straits, sir.
They might need you
up in the conning tower.
It might get rough
if those plugs pop.
I can handle that job.
I know you can,
but I want you outside.
I'm going to close
this hatch.
Keep up the air pressure.
We're going to need
plenty of it.
Mark the time, Paul.
One hour, 14 minutes
since we started
our transit.
In another 15 minutes,
we should be at--
Captain,
forward reducer
just let go, captain.
Shut that valve!
All stations,
put Mr. Landon on.
All stations,
put Mr. Landon on.
This is Landon
in the forward room, captain.
The room's under pressure.
Tubes forward, con.
When I want you to volunteer,
I'll tell you.
How are the plugs holding?
Well, I can keep them in
if control gives me back
the air pressure.
One plug just let go.
Charlie, how're you coming
with the air?
We're working on it, captain,
but I can't hold it
at periscope depth much longer
with that forward
torpedo room flooding.
According to DRT, two minutes
and we're through, captain,
with no gravy.
Landon,
you've got to hold out
for two more minutes.
Cullen, forward battery.
Forward torpedo room
flooding fast.
We're losing the bubble,
captain.
We'd better quit
with what we've got.
Prepare to surface,
four main engines.
Ready to surface,
four main engines, sir.
Surface!
[ALARM WAILING]
We're out of
the Straits, captain!
Here's the chart.
Talk about bringing
home the bacon.
A clear channel
into the Sea of Japan.
It could change
the whole course
of the war.
[SPEAKING JAPANESE]
[SPEAKING JAPANESE]
Right full rudder!
All ahead flank!
Battle stations!
Gun action!
Abandon ship.
Open all deck hatches.
Come on!
Over here! Come on.
Somebody, give us a hand.
Bring that boat.
Hunter Seven
calling Red Dog Two.
Spotted life raft,
picking up survivors.
Have ambulance ready, over.
I'll take over, Frankie.
All right.
You have to get
some rest.
I don't want to sleep,
dream, or wake up.
60 men trapped below
with the sea rushing in...
and the "lucky" ones
that escaped,
burning in the oil,
riddled by bullets.
Oh, Case.
Those weren't just casualties.
I knew them.
I knew about their families,
their plans.
Do you know what I feel?
Yes, I do know, Case.
When you were overdue,
and I thought
you weren't coming back,
I imagined every
awful minute of it.
Don't you think I know?
How are the others?
Charlie, Landon, Chick?
They'll be all right.
You have a slight concussion.
You have to stay
a little bit longer.
I have a slight concussion,
and 60 men are killed.
That ought to earn me
a purple heart
with 60 clusters!
An investigation, sir?
An inquiry into the loss
of the Starfish.
Naturally, I had to report
that the captain
carried out the action
against my advice.
I understand, sir.
But I don't mind telling
you that the charts
you brought back
is a mighty welcome form
of insurance.
The hearing is set
for 10:00 tomorrow.
The doctor said Abbott
should be on his feet by then.
Admiral Lockwood...
I understood
when I first shipped out
as Commander Abbott's exec,
that it was
a temporary assignment,
that I was in line
for a command of my own.
In fact, I thought
when the Sea Ray returned
from the China Sea...
Your last commanding officer
turned in a report
which makes it
impossible for me
to recommend
your assignment.
My last--
Do you mean
Captain Abbott, sir?
But what was the nature
of the report?
Is the report
subject to review, sir?
I'd prefer it, Landon,
if you'd discuss the matter
with Captain Abbott first.
Yes, sir.
Well, sir, the admiral
made it quite clear,
your report stands
in the way of my command.
Yes. I'm sorry, Landon.
Yes, sir.
I was hoping you'd
tell me about it.
Don't you know?
No, sir, I don't.
If it's because of the way
I talked to you
after Lieutenant Barton's
death,
I'll admit it was improper,
but you asked me
to "spit it out."
I recall your words.
My criticism
had nothing to do with that.
I reported that you
were an excellent
executive officer,
courageous, alert,
skillful and efficient.
Yes, sir.
I also remarked
you were not equipped
for the responsibility
of command,
because you seemed
incapable of making
the sometimes painful
decisions required
in an emergency.
Oh.
Now I understand, captain.
I doubt that,
Mr. Landon.
I think you're a man
who is ruled
by personal emotion,
and you attribute
that behavior
to everyone around you.
Until you overcome that,
you'll be unfit for
the responsibility of command.
Yes, sir.
Since you seem determined
to be proper today,
I might as well
say the rest of it.
I know what you think
of the Wes Barton episode.
You think too,
that out of remorse
and sentimentality,
I risked the Starfish
and crew
in order to save
Freddy Warren,
and now you think,
that, for reasons
of personal ambition,
I risked the passage
of Tsushima Straits
and lost my boat and men.
You said it, captain.
I didn't.
But it's what you think,
Landon,
and that's what I mean
by your inability to interpret
the decision of command
in anything
but personal terms,
and, until you grow up...
There's an inquiry
into the sinking
of the Starfish
tomorrow morning.
If you still think
you have a case
against me--
Sorry.
What is it?
Freddy Warren.
He's conscious
and asking for you.
He's very weak.
I'll see you tomorrow,
captain, at the inquiry.
Hi, Freddy.
I wondered
where the fellows were...
Carroll...
Jug, Benny...
Well, we've been out
on a mission, Freddy.
But you're back now.
They'll come now?
Yeah.
They'll be coming to see you.
I wanted to tell you
something, sir.
It's about Lieutenant Barton.
That day,
my birthday,
what I thought about you...
I wanted to tell you, sir,
I was wrong.
It's been on my mind
a long time.
I understand, Freddy.
No, sir.
I have to tell you.
I know what you did for me,
risking the ship, just for me.
That's how I know
I was wrong about you.
It's been on my mind.
It's very important...
important...
Come on, Case.
It's funny, in a way.
How do you mean?
He said it.
I took a chance to save him.
I wouldn't take a chance
to save Wes.
He didn't say that.
You're twisting it.
It's what Landon's
been believing
all this time.
It's not the same.
When the boy was hurt,
you didn't have
the whole Japanese navy
bearing down on you.
Of course, you took
a chance to save him.
A chance in a hundred.
Anybody would have.
I don't know anymore.
I don't know
how I'll ever know.
Previous testimony
has established
that you were without
radar or sonar,
and at this time,
you sighted
a Japanese merchantman.
Are these facts
correct, captain?
Captain Abbott?
Aye, aye, sir.
Captain, your operation orders
said nothing about a mission
through the Straits.
No, sir,
nor did they preclude it.
You are aware
Admiral Lockwood
advised against
any such attempt?
Yes, sir, but that advice
was based on other
circumstances.
Will you tell us, then,
what were the circumstances
that prompted your transit
in the Strait
in the wake
of this merchantman?
Yes, sir.
Knowing that we planned, soon,
to invade the Sea of Japan,
and appreciating the value
of a chart
through the minefield,
I decided
that the weather,
the time of day,
and the evident lack
of Japanese surveillance
all justified
the attempt.
I considered it
a target of opportunity
and within my discretion
as a commanding officer.
Did you take
into consideration
that your vessel
was already damaged?
It was my conclusion
that the damage
was not so extensive
as to interfere
with the mission.
As to the air-pressure
failure,
that didn't enter the picture
until I was fully committed.
Is there anything
else, captain?
Yes, sir.
I should point out
that I lost my boat
after maneuvering successfully
out of the Strait
into the open sea.
I had no radar
as a result of damage
on my original mission
to Saishu-to.
It was just bad luck.
Is that all, captain?
No, sir.
I request it be entered
into the record
that I was successful
in bringing back
a chart of the minefield.
Any other questions?
Thank you, captain.
Mr. Landon, this is
an informal inquiry,
but anything you say
will be entered
into the record
and may become
subsequently
a foundation
for a charge
against
Captain Abbott.
Yes, sir.
Did Captain Abbott
consult you,
as his executive
officer,
before undertaking
this foray?
I was in charge
of damage control
at the time, sir.
The captain merely
announced his decision to me.
Did you express
an opinion?
Yes, sir.
I tried to protest.
On what grounds,
Mr. Landon?
On the grounds
that a transit of the Strait
seemed to exceed
the permissible scope
of our assignment.
But you are aware now
that Admiral Lockwood
never expressly prohibited
such a mission,
and that Captain Abbott
was unable to radio
for instructions?
Yes, sir.
I'm aware of that.
Mr. Landon,
I know this may be
distasteful to you,
but as next
ranking officer,
I must ask you,
do you have any reason
to believe
that Captain Abbott
was guilty
of any negligence
or dereliction of duty?
Sir, that's a conclusion
that you're asking of me,
not facts.
You may express a conclusion,
but I must ask you
to be candid.
I'm sorry, sir.
I cannot answer that.
Do you wish
to bring forward
any other facts
which will assist
this board
in reaching a conclusion
about Captain Abbott's action?
Facts?
No, sir.
No other facts.
You know, Casey,
in conditions of war,
the line between initiative
and heroism on the one hand
and recklessness
and dereliction on the other
is sometimes hard to draw.
There's the report
of the Board of Investigation
in the matter
of the loss of the Starfish.
They concluded
that your actions
were justified
and they've recommended
no further proceedings.
I'm glad, Casey.
I want you to know that
I agree with their conclusion.
Thank you, sir.
You don't seem very pleased.
I understand
the final briefing
for the Sea of Japan
take-off
is scheduled for
some time this afternoon.
Yes, and I want you
to be there.
I've no command, sir.
Well, the Sea Ray
is back from
the China Sea.
Yes, sir?
It was Admiral Nimitz's
personal suggestion
that you take
over its command.
The Sea Ray.
That's the boat
Landon expected to get.
I'll have a talk with him.
You be at the briefing
this afternoon at 4:00.
If Landon is there,
he's your exec.
Aye, aye, sir.
Gentlemen,
the admirals are here.
Attention on deck!
Good evening, gentlemen.
Carry on.
All right, Bill,
go ahead.
Well, you Hellcats
are shoving off at dawn
in three groups,
gentlemen,
Hepcats, Polecats
and Bobcats.
Now, we have calculated
your time of departure
to permit an E.T.A.
at Tsushima Strait
at zero hour
based on a speed
of 13 knots.
Rely on your new sonar.
In case of mechanical failure,
you have
Captain Abbott's chart
on a clear channel
through the minefields.
Once in the Sea of Japan,
all Hellcats are
to reconnoiter their areas.
How have these areas
been assigned, Lockwood?
The Bobcats
will lay off Honshu,
the Polecats off Korea,
and the Hepcats off Hokkaido.
You are to remain unseen
until sunset of June 9th.
Is that clear, gentlemen?
That will be the hour
for commence firing.
You mean, from
here on, admiral,
it's every cat
for himself?
You're to torpedo or gun
everything in sight,
freighters, trawlers,
even sampans.
Why the wait
until we start
popping them, admiral?
Intelligence figures
the Japanese know
something is brewing.
We don't want any single unit
to be spotted
until you're all in position
to go into action
simultaneously.
You are to rendezvous
on June 23rd
west of La Perousse Strait,
and make your exit.
Any questions,
gentlemen?
No, sir.
Now Admiral Nimitz
would like to say
a few words.
With the help of
the men in this room,
we have beaten
the Japanese back
from the very shores
of Hawaii and Australia,
from Guadalcanal,
from the Philippines,
New Guinea, the Gilberts,
Solomons, Carolines
and the Marianas.
We have retrieved
the vast empire
they sought to plunder,
but we cannot
achieve victory
until we isolate
the home island
from their main
source of coal,
iron, and food
on the continent of Asia.
It is your mission,
gentlemen,
to demonstrate
to the Japanese people
that even their
warlord's private lake
is fair fishing
for the American Navy,
so make it a big show,
and remember,
this time,
we're reaching for victory.
Good hunting and Godspeed.
Oh, hi, Helen.
Hi.
How's young
Freddy doing?
Well, he's doing
much better, I think.
How about buying me
a cigarette?
Sure. See you on board.
Aye, aye, sir.
Say, what about me?
Well, take your pick.
It must be a big push
this time, Case.
The admiral told me
not to tell.
The admiral
should have told me
not to worry.
I thought we'd
settled all that,
about you and me.
It won't
stay settled, Case,
not until you tell me
you've stopped caring.
Still beating your
chest about Wes?
Well, I guess I didn't have
much to say after all.
What are you going to do
after the war, Case?
I've told you
a hundred times.
I want to hear it
once more.
I'm going into
the surplus business.
I'm going to buy up
all the old mines
and sell them
to the man in the moon.
There's no water
on the moon.
How do you know
so much about the moon?
I know a lot about it.
I spend all my time
looking at it
when you're away.
That's how it still is
with me, Case.
It's time for me to go now.
LANDON:
The aft torpedo room
looked like the fountains
of the French palace.
He couldn't have picked
a better place to surface.
It looked as though
we were right in the--
Did I interrupt something?
Well, I was just telling them
how we lost the Starfish
on your last patrol.
If you've finished
with your coffee, Mr. Landon,
and through telling
war stories,
would you mind making up
a position report?
Aye, aye, sir.
Mr. Landon probably
didn't tell you
about his own part
in that last patrol.
He preformed
with great bravery.
He's a fine officer.
We're ready for the transit
of Tsushima, captain.
Can you give me a fix?
What do we hear
from the other boats, Foley?
All communications are shut
off until H-Hour,
June 9th, sir.
Kaiko-to bearing,
Mark.
Peak bearing,
Mark.
Charlie.
We'll make our transit
by the chart.
Depth, one-two-zero.
One-two-zero feet, captain.
We're at the halfway
mark, captain.
Mines ahead, sir.
I thought this
was too easy.
No mines
or surface vessels.
How far?
I can't tell.
Blips are coming in
all over the place.
They must be
packed solid.
Rig for depth charge.
All compartments,
rig ship for depth charge.
All stop.
All stop.
All back two thirds.
All back two thirds.
Rudder amidship.
Rudder amidship, sir.
Mine cable scraping
down the port-side
of the after battery, captain.
Left full rudder.
Port stop.
Left full rudder. Port stop.
We're clear, sir.
The Japanese must have shifted
their minefield pattern, sir.
I hope the rest of
our subs caught it.
Destroyer screws on
the starboard bow, captain,
coming in fast.
I've got to get
under those mines.
How deep can I go?
250 feet.
Rig for silent running.
Rig for depth charge.
Rig for silent running.
Rig for depth charge.
200 feet, Charlie.
200 feet, captain.
Put her on the bottom.
When are they
going to give up?
I think they're
gone, sir.
Can't be sure.
Sonar's out.
How long to fix it?
I don't know.
I don't know what's
the matter yet, sir.
No sonar. An unreliable chart.
And they knew we're down here.
How long can we continue
running at 200 feet?
All the way.
take her up to 200 feet.
Maybe we can sneak in
under their minefield.
Charlie, take her up.
200 feet.
Captain!
According to
the DRT chart,
we're through.
Well, I'd better
check it with a fix.
Six-two feet.
Bring her up smartly.
All ahead full.
All ahead full.
We're through all right.
What a temptation.
The pond's
lousy with them!
I'd sure like to get
one of them now, captain.
When the time comes,
we'll get them all.
Down scope.
Japanese freighter
off the port bow,
heading north.
And it's sunset,
June 9th.
Now man battle stations
torpedo.
Man battle stations torpedo.
[ALARM]
Range...mark.
One-two,
double-o-yards.
Gyro matched and ready.
Heave!
Final bearing
and shoot.
Fire one.
One fired electrically.
Fire two.
Two fired electrically.
Banzai!
Up their kilt!
Final bearing
and shoot.
Bearing...mark!
Bearing
one-o-four.
Fire four.
Range...mark.
900 yards.
Angle on the bow zero.
Down the throat shot.
Final bearing and shoot.
Bearing...mark.
One-three-five.
Fire seven.
Seven fired electrically.
Fire eight.
Eight fired electrically.
Got him.
Sounds like another can
astern of us, captain.
Coming in fast.
Range...mark.
700 yards.
Final bearing
and shoot.
Bearing, mark.
Bearing one-eight-two.
Fire nine.
Nine fired electrically.
Fire 10.
10 fired electrically.
Missed.
Flood negative.
Take her down deep.
All ahead full.
All ahead full, sir.
She's above us now, captain.
Fire in the I.C. board.
What's our depth?
Approaching 250 feet, captain.
All ahead one third.
Mr. Landon, go below
and secure everything.
Aye, aye, sir.
Course zero-one-zero.
Course zero-one-zero, sir.
Charlie, we're going to
hug the coast
at about 8,000 yards
and cut down sonar detection
from seaward.
Aye, aye, sir.
Foley, you better go
see how they're doing.
Aye, sir.
They'll be
all right, captain.
Oh, brother,
I'm so tired,
I'm breathing from memory.
What did
we catch, Bob?
About 15,000 tons,
by the identification books.
Five A-Ks. Two destroyers.
Not bad for
a few days work.
Mr. Altman
to the conning tower.
Mr. Altman
to the conning tower.
Pardon me, captain.
I broke these dispatches
from the other boats, sir.
Hmm. Sea Tiger
got three A-Ks,
one 1,500-ton destroyer
and three luggers.
Hey, the rest
bagged 22 vessels
and one submarine.
70,000 tons!
[INTERCOM BUZZES]
Captain.
Very well.
Landon's got something
on the sonar.
Wants me to come up.
No word from
the Sandfish yet, huh?
No, sir, I'm--
I'm afraid
they got it,
otherwise
she would have
come up on the circuit.
What do you make
of this, captain?
Our charts don't show
any nets at La Perousse.
It could be--
If it is,
it looks like there's
a beautiful hole
at zero-one-five
relative.
Right full rudder.
All ahead two thirds.
Right full rudder,
all ahead two thirds.
Looks like
a bull's eye, captain.
Con maneuvering.
Something just hit
the starboard prop.
All stop.
All stop.
Stern planes is jammed.
Stern planes jammed
and out of commission,
captain.
All back two thirds.
All back two thirds.
Diving officer says
we can't hover here
any longer, captain.
Hm.
We'll have to surface
to fix it.
That destroyer
is still up there
looking for us.
Prepare to surface
on battery.
Prepare to surface,
on the battery.
Well, there are only
three of us on board
to do the job.
Looks like you two
are out.
Send the diving gear,
the one with the phone,
to my state room.
Landon, take over.
Aye, aye, sir.
Ready to surface below.
Surface.
Any luck, sir?
How long
have I been down?
20 minutes.
I can't get it.
[CLINKING]
What was that, sir?
I'm caught in the wire.
Captain, I'm sending a man
down to help you.
No, I think
I'm getting it.
Japanese destroyer coming in
from bearing zero-seven-zero.
Distance, 4,000 yards.
Captain.
Destroyer, 4,000 yards.
Take her down.
I'm stuck.
I can't get loose.
No!
Fulton, get into your gear.
Landon, I'm ordering you.
Take her down!
No, sir!
Destroyer now at 2,000 yards.
There are 81 men
onboard this sub.
They're your responsibility.
Clear the deck!
Run, boys.
Hatch secure.
Six-zero feet.
Man battle stations torpedo.
Man battle stations
torpedo.
Stand by, forward.
Stand by, one and two.
Tubes full and con.
Stand by, forward.
Stand by, one and two.
One and two ready
and standing by, sir.
Final bearing and shoot.
Bearing--
mark.
Down scope.
Three-zero-zero.
All tubes ready, sir.
Fire one.
One fired electrically.
Fire two.
Two fired electrically.
If he got free
of the cable,
there should be
a chance.
After torpedo room, con.
After torpedo room, aye.
Any sound from
the clearing cables?
No, sir.
Cables are clear.
Up scope.
Wait a minute!
There he is.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
Prepare to surface
on the battery.
It's Abbott.
He's out there!
Ready to
surface below, sir.
Surface.
Landon?
Are we through
La Perousse yet?
Yes, captain, we're through.
All boats accounted for
except the Sandfish.
Course zero-nine-zero.
We're headed home.
About this morning, sir--
I'm just glad you surfaced.
It was a long swim
back to Guam.
I think there's more
to say than that.
About myself--
I've-- I've been wrong
about a lot of things.
We've both been wrong.
No, sir, I want to say it.
Suddenly, I saw things
a lot differently
when I had to take over.
You'll make
a good commander, Don.
Thank you, sir.
If you take over
command of the Sea Ray,
I'm going to need
a new boat
and a new exec.
Of course,
I'm going to need
a best man too.
That's a pretty
personal thing, Don.
That's the way
I'd like it, Case.