THE SILENT SERVICE "The End of the Line" 1957
This is the third episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.
Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.
This episode is about the "Thresher". It is March 1942 and the "Thresher" is patrolling off of Kwajalein Island. It is night, and the submarine is running on the surface to recharge her batteries. Out of the darkness comes a Japanese patrol ship heading straight for the "Thresher. At the last minute, the destroyer turns and runs beside the submarine.
There is less than 50 yards space between the two ships. The submarine crash dives while the destroyer swings out her main guns. The submarine is a split second quicker off the mark, and is under the water before the Japanese fire. The destroyer gives the "Thresher" a good plastering with about 30 depth charges. The sub manages a getaway and goes to deep water.
The next night the sub returns to patrol off Kwajalein. They attack a small Japanese cargo ship that has just left said island. They sink same, but are soon under attack by the same escort they had the run in with the night before. After a round of depth charges the destroyer tries a new tactic.
The Japanese ship goes in for a spot of fishing. The destroyer drags a big grappling hook across the area. They are lucky enough to catch onto the deck gun of the "Thresher". They are soon pulling the submarine in like a hooked game fish. The "Thresher" twists and turns trying to throw the hook. The captain, Gene Reynolds, orders all the code books destroyed. He intends to fight it out on the surface as they are reeled in.
Just before breaking surface, the submarine manages to the throw the hook. Down to 300 feet and out of the area they go at the fastest speed they can manage.
The "Thresher" did a total of 13 war time patrols and sunk over a dozen enemy ships. The ship was decommissioned in 1946 and scrapped the next year.
The rest of the cast included, Robert Knapp, William Bryant, Robert Patten and X. Brands.
This is the third episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.
Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.
This episode is about the "Thresher". It is March 1942 and the "Thresher" is patrolling off of Kwajalein Island. It is night, and the submarine is running on the surface to recharge her batteries. Out of the darkness comes a Japanese patrol ship heading straight for the "Thresher. At the last minute, the destroyer turns and runs beside the submarine.
There is less than 50 yards space between the two ships. The submarine crash dives while the destroyer swings out her main guns. The submarine is a split second quicker off the mark, and is under the water before the Japanese fire. The destroyer gives the "Thresher" a good plastering with about 30 depth charges. The sub manages a getaway and goes to deep water.
The next night the sub returns to patrol off Kwajalein. They attack a small Japanese cargo ship that has just left said island. They sink same, but are soon under attack by the same escort they had the run in with the night before. After a round of depth charges the destroyer tries a new tactic.
The Japanese ship goes in for a spot of fishing. The destroyer drags a big grappling hook across the area. They are lucky enough to catch onto the deck gun of the "Thresher". They are soon pulling the submarine in like a hooked game fish. The "Thresher" twists and turns trying to throw the hook. The captain, Gene Reynolds, orders all the code books destroyed. He intends to fight it out on the surface as they are reeled in.
Just before breaking surface, the submarine manages to the throw the hook. Down to 300 feet and out of the area they go at the fastest speed they can manage.
The "Thresher" did a total of 13 war time patrols and sunk over a dozen enemy ships. The ship was decommissioned in 1946 and scrapped the next year.
The rest of the cast included, Robert Knapp, William Bryant, Robert Patten and X. Brands.