George Nader credited as playing...
Lt. Dave MacDougall
- Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: Thirty-three minutes to hoist out all boats.
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: It's better time than I thought we'd make on our first combat.
- Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: I will not tolerate complacency on my ship.
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: We have to stow the tank lighters on Number 5 hatch, Sir. They'll always be the controlling factor...
- Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: I am the controlling factor aboard the Belinda. My ship's going to set speed records every time she goes into action. The Belinda's going to be the most efficient APA in the Pacific Fleet. Is that clear, Mr MacDougall?
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: Yes, Sir.
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: Command's one of the loneliest jobs in the world. Eating alone most of the time. Living from the bridge, to the chartroom, to an empty cabin.
- Ensign Kruger: He wouldn't be so lonesome if he were a little more sociable.
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: He can't be sociable. Not aboard his own ship. No captain can. If he becomes too friendly, he may start relying on friendship instead of his own judgement. At that moment, he's no longer a good captain.
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: Well, Sir, it took some doing, but we finally got our boats away.
- Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: Yes, you got them away in exactly one hour and forty three minutes.
- [pause]
- Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: What are you waiting around for, MacDougall, a 'Well Done'?
- Capt. Jebediah S. Hawks: I assumed you, of all the officers aboard, would most understand my motives for having this sailboat constructed. I was mistaken, Mr. Fraser.
- [exits]
- Lieut. Fraser: What's that supposed to mean?
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: You're no veteran, not really. You've just put in a lot of time in this Navy.
- Lieut. Fraser: Now look, MacDougall!
- Lieut. Dave MacDougall: You look! You're closer to the crew than any other officer aboard, yet you're blind to what's been happening to them. The men have been coming unglued from too many months at sea. They'd lost their combat efficiency. They needed something to fix their hate on so that they'd stop fighting among themselves. The captain gave it to them. Himself, and this sailboat. You were worried about the boats being ready. They'll be ready, Mister. But more important, the crew will be ready.