MERCHANT SEAMEN [Main Title]

A story acted and narrated by men of the Merchant Navy illustrates the way their war is fought.

Two days out from England, a ship is struck by a torpedo; the crew abandon ship, and are picked up by an RNLI lifeboat. Later, the uninjured crewmen leave their games and discussion in a Seamen's Mission to go and visit their colleagues in hospital; one young man ('Nipper') wishes to get his own back and talks of joining the Navy, but is advised to stay in the Merchant Fleet and, if he wants more action, take a gunnery course. This he does as soon as he is recovered and receives his certificate just in time to sign on for a new ship, where he joins another ex-member of the first ship's crew. After the convoy briefing-conference the ships sail. Following a harrowing night sailing blind in fog down a narrow lane between minefields, most of the crew relaxes. 'Nipper' remains restless, until a U-boat sighting enables him to secure his revenge. "That's how it goes - but it don't bother us very much."

16mm