Run Silent, Run Deep

Setup on leading freighter.

Range.

- Mark? - 1-5-0-0.

50 port. Open outer doors, tubes 1 and 2. Stand by.

Open outer doors, 1 and 2. Stand by.

Firing two fish forward. Watch your depth.

Two degrees down bubble. Hold her at 60.

- Outer doors open on 1 and 2, sir. - Final bearing.

- Mark. - 3-2-0.

- Set. - Fire 1.

- 1 is fired, sir. - Fire 2.

- 2 is fired, sir. - Time on that first torpedo.

Should hit in about 42 seconds, sir.

Crash-dive! 300 feet! All ahead full! Destroyer coming in fast!

Rig for depth charge! Silent running!

Dive!

10... 9... 8... 7... 6...

Better hold on to these reports to Admiral Bowers, sir.

- Why? - His car had a flat tyre this morning.

Right rear. He's fit to be tied.

- Send 'em tomorrow. - Yes, sir.

Captain Field's a little touchy this morning, too.

Another flat tyre?

Almost the same thing. His wife. They had a quarrel last night.

- Oh, that. - I'm ready for action.

Passing up the decoy, sir. In position.

Heading straight on towards the Akikaze.

- Stand by to dive. - Aye aye, sir.

Range 1800.

Akikaze bearing down on us, bow on.

- Clear the bridge. Dive. - Ready to shoot in 25 seconds.

Bearing. Mark.

Fire.

Fire 1.

24 seconds, sir.

Torpedo running hot, straight and normal.

You sunk him again, sir.

That makes 200 times you've sunk Bungo Pete in...

200 days.

- He only sunk you once! - Just once.

But it wasn't on a desk.

Where do you get all these things?

- Tables, desks. - Mueller, you're a thief.

I'm a collector, sir.

Bungo Pete! Let's put him next to his Akikaze destroyer.

The unknown factor. The sea dragon of Area 7.

There's nothing superhuman about him or the area.

Too bad they'll never give you another chance in that area.

Four submarines sunk in the Bungo Straits,

and they keep you behind a desk for something they can't even figure out.

How many subs? You said four, I think.

- Yes, sir. - The count was three a month ago.

It's only scuttlebutt, but the word's around that the last boat sent out

was lost three days ago.

Get these things outta here!

Mueller,

when's the next sub due in?

Two weeks, sir. The Nerka.

Her skipper was wounded, but the Executive Officer's due to take over.

- He qualified for command? - Yes, sir.

- They'll send her out to 7. - I suppose so.

Get the Chief of Staff on the phone. Tell him I'm coming over.

Executive Officer to duty section. Now hear this.

The repair crew will take over at 1300.

Duty section will stand by with the repair list.

You beach boys who'll be checking in at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel,

the hotel does not have a repair crew.

So have fun, but keep the damage to a minimum.

Break it up! Russo, Cullen, break it up! I...

For the next captain of the Nerka, sir.

What we mean to say, Mr Bledsoe... Congratulations!

Good luck, sir.

- So this is the way we start! Bribery! - Don't know what you mean, sir!

Next it'll be special privileges! Sunbathing, two-hour watches.

A sunburned crew is a happy crew! An old Navy axiom!

That you just made up!

Thanks a lot, men. Don't any of you get the idea I can be had.

- It never entered our heads. - I'll bet!

- Go on, try it on, sir. - You'll look very sharp in that rig.

- See you a moment, Bledsoe? - Yes, sir.

We were just leaving, Captain.

I said we were leaving!

It's sort of a gift, sir. The men, they...

It's all right. Never mind.

- Any milk left in the galley? - Yes, sir.

- Oh, it's powdered, sir. - That'll do.

She belongs to the chief of the boat. Good-luck token.

The men give her a little... pat on their way to battle stations.

Interesting.

I'll get the milk, sir.

Submarines. They ruined my liver.

Couldn't take one again.

Terrible thought. Makes me old. Makes me antique.

- Do you like subs? - I chose the service, sir.

Of course.

- Good record. - Thank you, sir.

It's a fact, not a compliment, so don't thank me.

I told you two years ago you were hot stuff, that you'd have a sub one day.

- Remember? - Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.

Well, you're going to, Jim.

But not this time out.

The Nerka is being assigned to Commander Richardson.

He'll be your skipper for this patrol.

You see, Jim, she's going to Area 7. Richardson is acquainted with the area.

7 is a hot spot. We lost four subs there the last year.

All of 'em sunk by an Akikaze off the Bungo Straits.

His sub was the first. The Navy Board feels he deserves another chance.

That command was mine. Don't they think I can handle her in 7?

Of course not. Your ability isn't being questioned.

It's just that Richardson's suggestion...

He presented a very strong case.

This whole thing is suddenly very clear to me.

- That all, sir? - That's all.

You won't mind if I keep this out of mothballs, Captain?

There are other boats besides the Nerka.

Rich?

Hey, be careful!

- What's the matter? - Like me to fix some lemonade?

Sure, honey, you go ahead. I'll be down by the time...

- Better make enough for three. - Three?

- We have company arriving. - I can't see anyone like this!

I don't think this is a social visit.

You'd better put some gin in that lemonade.

Looking for me?

- Commander Richardson? - That's right.

I'm Bledsoe. Jim Bledsoe.

A pleasure. Mind throwing me up that insect spray, Jim?

Excuse me, sir, but I didn't come to spray insects.

Well, it's the leaves you spray. But it doesn't matter.

- What's on your mind? - A request, sir.

I'd like you to ask for another Exec.

- Just like that, huh? - My privilege, sir. Navy regulations.

- I'd have to take it to the Board. - You went to them before.

That's just it. I got what I wanted. Why should I change it?

Maybe I can enlighten you. The crew's accepted me as its captain.

They have me decked out as a groom.

Now you're taking my place, I'd rather not go to the wedding.

Are we discussing your pride or are you embarrassed to face them?

You'll be facing them in a couple of days.

The resentment's going to be twice as great with me on board.

Mr Bledsoe, let me be honest with you.

I don't care about their resentment or yours.

I wanted a boat. The Board gave it to me. That's all there is.

The Board didn't give you a thing.

You went to them, the poor desk commander with a tear in his eye.

You told them if you could have me for a backstop, you could do the job.

Mr Bledsoe,

your request for release is denied.

Well, Commander, I'm glad I came over.

- Get things straightened out. - We're going to get along just fine.

Don't worry, Jim. I'll take good care of the bride.

Anyone for a slug of gin? We're out of vermouth.

- Lt Bledsoe, Laura. My Exec. - Hello.

Thanks, Mrs Richardson. I'll take a rain check on the drink.

- Some other time. - Lieutenant?

If there isn't another time, good luck.

Take good care of my husband.

I'll take care, ma'am.

- Take over, Mr Conwell. - Aye aye, sir.

Captain's off the bridge. It won't be long now.

Captain's off the bridge.

- Order's coming up soon, Chief. - OK, Carver.

- Is he downstairs yet? - Below, Jessie. The Captain's below.

- How much is in the pool? - 200 bucks. Are all the areas covered?

- I got a five spot on Area 22. - 16 for me! I hear it's a pleasure cruise!

I took 7.

- You what? - I took 7.

- That's a one-way ticket, idiot! - Trying to jinx us all?

- What do you mean, one-way? - No return, Jessie. No return.

But I was born on the 7th. What with all that money in the pool, I...

7 is lucky for me, ain't it?

The money's all locked up inside.

Wilson, tell the engine room we're standing by.

- Hey, Chief, can I change areas? - Too late.

Gentlemen, I ask for silence.

The next voice you hear

will be the dealer.

This is the Captain.

I know all of you are vitally interested in our area assignment.

Here is a rundown of the orders under which we will operate during this patrol.

Number one.

And I'm sure you've heard this many times: Sink enemy shipping.

Number two: Proceed on a specified course to Area 7...

- I knew it! I just knew it! - For Pete's sake, turn it off!

Number three: Avoid the section in Area 7 known as the Bungo Straits.

Number four: Take coast intelligence photos wherever possible.

A third of you are new men, and I know there are bound to be some questions.

Feel free to ask your division officer any time.

That's all. Thanks for your attention.

Hey, where are the Bungo Straits?

- Why? - He said we'll avoid it.

He didn't say anything about avoiding 7.

OK, give everyone back his money, Kohler.

No dice. Somebody took Area 7.

- Who? - He did.

Jeez, fellas, I didn't know! Well, it's my birthday!

7's my birthday!

Simulated target dead ahead, sir.

Range 2,000. All hands standing by for drill.

Bail out. Lookouts, below!