While this story is fictional., the original story was based on a real-life similar incident that occurred in 1939. It involved the ten-year-old German-built steamer the Erlangen. The Erlanger's captain was Alfred Grams. The ship slipped out of Otago New Zealand on 8/28/39, It was thought she'd go to Port Kembla in New South Wales to get coal; instead, she headed for the Auckland Islands, restocked with food, and cut down a large number of trees from the Southern Rata forest. The Erlanger was able to avoid HMNZS Leander and eventually, using jury-rigged sails, made her across the Southern Pacific to Ancud In southern Chile. The ship eventually made its way to the South Atlantic, where she was intercepted by the HMS Newcastle off Montevideo, Uruguay, on 7/24/41, where she was scuttled by her crew.
Prior to the start of filming in Hawaii, John Wayne went scuba diving and developed an ear infection. As a result, he was in severe pain for much of the shooting. Many of his scenes could be shot only on his good side, since the infected ear was so swollen, and between takes he had to go lie down to rest from the pain.
Lana Turner hairstyle and figure-clinging gown are strictly 1955, although the story takes place in 1939.
John Wayne did not regard John Farrow as a good director, and blamed him for the problems with the film. Wayne later said Farrow "didn't really have a great deal to do with" Hondo (1953) because it was a Batjac production and "Everything was set up before he came on it. But he did direct 'Sea Chase' and prove to me that he should not be put in charge of a producer-director position. He failed to tell the good story that was in the book. But now, we're talking about a matter of opinion and that's only my opinion. For some, he may be considered a fine director."
This is the last of four appearances by James Arness in films starring John Wayne. The others were Big Jim McLain (1952), Island in the Sky (1953) and Hondo (1953). Three months after this film's release, Arness would begin his 20-year run as Marshal Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke (1955), a role that Wayne recommended him for. Wayne thought so highly of Arness that he filmed an introduction for the premiere of "Gunsmoke". In 1959 Arness did not turn up for a scheduled meeting for a role in Wayne's film The Alamo (1960) and Wayne never really forgave him.