THE SILENT SERVICE "The Narwhal's Passengers from Mindanao " 1957
This is the 24th 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 U.S.S. "Narwhal". The "Narwhal" was one of the oldest submarines to serve in the Navy during WW2, having been launched in 1929. It was also one of the largest submarines in the fleet. As such, she was often used to transport cargo and personal to various islands for resistance groups behind Japanese lines.
It is September 1944 and the "Narwhal" is taking a load of weapons etc to Cebu Island. After dropping off the supplies to the underground forces, she is tasked with picking up some escaped American POW's. The "Narwhal" packs 82 sick and wounded men on board before setting off for home base.
The "Narwhal" is forced to make a crash dive after a Japanese patrol aircraft buzzes them. The submarine exceeds the recommended dive angle and the rear dive planes stick. The "Narwhal" hurtles towards the bottom unable to right itself. They blow the ballast in the fore section but nothing happens. Finally, full reverse is tried. Now the submarine is racing backwards where the stern breaks the surface, offering a big target for the Japanese anti-submarine forces. Control is regained in time for the "Narwhal" to escape at her best possible speed.
The cast includes, Gene Coggan, James Parnell, Charles H Gray and William Bryant.
The "Narwhal" completed 15 patrols during the war sinking at least 5 Japanese ships. The "Narwhal" had been present at Pearl Harbour on Dec 7th 1941. The submarine's gunners put in claims for shooting down two Japanese torpedo bombers.
She was decommissioned in May 1945 (Before the war ended) and sold for scrap. Her two 5 in guns are on display at the New London submarine base.
This is the 24th 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 U.S.S. "Narwhal". The "Narwhal" was one of the oldest submarines to serve in the Navy during WW2, having been launched in 1929. It was also one of the largest submarines in the fleet. As such, she was often used to transport cargo and personal to various islands for resistance groups behind Japanese lines.
It is September 1944 and the "Narwhal" is taking a load of weapons etc to Cebu Island. After dropping off the supplies to the underground forces, she is tasked with picking up some escaped American POW's. The "Narwhal" packs 82 sick and wounded men on board before setting off for home base.
The "Narwhal" is forced to make a crash dive after a Japanese patrol aircraft buzzes them. The submarine exceeds the recommended dive angle and the rear dive planes stick. The "Narwhal" hurtles towards the bottom unable to right itself. They blow the ballast in the fore section but nothing happens. Finally, full reverse is tried. Now the submarine is racing backwards where the stern breaks the surface, offering a big target for the Japanese anti-submarine forces. Control is regained in time for the "Narwhal" to escape at her best possible speed.
The cast includes, Gene Coggan, James Parnell, Charles H Gray and William Bryant.
The "Narwhal" completed 15 patrols during the war sinking at least 5 Japanese ships. The "Narwhal" had been present at Pearl Harbour on Dec 7th 1941. The submarine's gunners put in claims for shooting down two Japanese torpedo bombers.
She was decommissioned in May 1945 (Before the war ended) and sold for scrap. Her two 5 in guns are on display at the New London submarine base.