Horatio Hornblower - Port Of Riga

0:00Call all hands, beat the quarters. Number three guards, tell by the stepper battery. One broadside in for it, please, Captain Bush. Point to some target. Bring stock, really? Fire, I saw, fighting! Fire! There's having Michael Redgrave at CS Foresters in Domitable Man of the Sea, Horatio Hornblower.

1:00Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! In along the goon on the coast of Poland, known as the Fischer's Hat, we'd made havoc

2:04with Bonaparte's communications. And this had, I hope, delayed French preparations for a possible assault on Russia, and yet we still lack news as to what Russia herself intended. Which, if I only resist Napoleon, come open me into the war as our ally, or which he played for time, and try to appease him as she had done before. I had my old friend Captain Bush to dinner in my cabin on the non-such, because I knew he liked sea pie, and my man-brown had prepared one for me with special care. And then, regrettably, I couldn't talk of anything with my impatience. Well, there must be some news after all. Why don't we hear? I simply can't understand it, Bush. We will, we will. It's clearly a month, you know, since we left Russia on a month. If I'd known it would be that long, I'd think I'd have let which would keep the cutter clam at Kronstadt. It shouldn't sea pie, are we, Jones? Excellent. You see, Bush, it's... What is the first time ever, if, aboard the old renown, remember?

3:09Hmm. Bound prepared it himself, isn't it? Stop trying to distract me, will you, Bush? It isn't clever. I'll tell you this. If we're to sit here in the boat, it's quiddling our thumbs, we'll have to organize something to keep the men's minds busy. A home pie competition, or, well, even theatricals, perhaps. theatricals? You can't be serious, will you? Well, why not? This lack of action is extremely bad for morale, Bush. How much wrong with theatricals, anyway? Don't forget you were young yourself once. You know, I can remember... Yes, come in. Ah, Michel-Claude. Well, Mr. Gerard? I've cut a clam inside a window, sir. No. Yes, sir. At least, Mr. Holt has told me to report us, huh? I've not made this way, Joe Gerard. Your news is excellent. How far off is she? How are two windows, sir? We're running down to her. And let me see. Clam signals have dispatches for Commodore, sir. Are you sure? Yes, sir. At least, that's what I... All right, don't stammer. Always make sure you know your own mind, Mr. Gerard.

4:11Now, tell Mr. Holt to make Commodore to clam, send dispatches on board as soon as practicable. And, uh... Well, bring the dispatches here to meet if they come on board. All understood, Mr. Gerard? Yes, sir. No. I mean... Hello, sir. Oh, sir. Don't hurry up, yourself, sir. No, I shall sit right down again and have some more sea by it. Help yourself, push, help yourself. I am not going to run up there and stand up here over the side like some midshipman. Hmm. There you must be feeling some suspense about Russia back home these days. No more than in his cabin at the moment. Push. If Bonaparte's main strength could be tied up here in the east this summer, give Wellington the chance to strike hard in the south. It's a great opportunity. Bands are lost. Oh, well, well. We'll know soon enough now, won't we push? Stop worrying. Outlaws are exempted in that stiff reply to Bernie's demands.

5:13At least that's what Lord Bitch would say to thee with a front step. You tell me so yourself. Stiff reply one day may mean soft words to the next, to the Alexander. Oh, hopelessly unpredictable. He's Russian. Come in. Well, Mr. Gerard, what's the latest? Wait for it. Look, you came yourself. Did you? I did indeed so hard ratio. By your ship clam, I wake you hell of a news. You would agree my trip was warranted. Oh, come on, man. We're captain Bush, quite like old times of all the nonsense. Oh, which one? Which one? Don't keep us waiting for your news. Commodore, it's war. War. It settled in. No more procrastination? We're no longer alone, hallblower. I wake you up loud through this dispatch case. Ten days ago, Bonaparte crossed the name with 15 Army Corps. He's committed to invasion now. He can't turn back. Inversion. And... And Cam was to hold out, which would... I wish I knew. But at least you'll have his service work cut out for him.

6:14Which means that we can push ahead in space. Well, good news. Oh, it's the finest news I've heard in years, which would I? Sit down. Sit down here. Yeah, give me that dispatch case. I'm under cloak here. Have some seat, please. Have some wine. Ha, ha, ha. Yours is a welcome place. Bush, you can forget the theatricals. Now we can get on with the war. Which would, of course, have much to tell, I love them. And I must say, for once, for now made highly satisfactory listening. Then there was the dispatch addressed to me by Lord Kaskata, British Ambassador in Russia. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. A few polite formalities. And then... Ha, ha, ha. Listen to this, Bush. You will, of course, render only assistance in your power to our new ally, Russia.

7:15The main body of Bonaparte's Army is already marching on Moscow. But I am informed that some 60,000 men under the Duke of Toronto are now on the northern route to St. Petersburg. The Russian Imperial Staff Agency requires your squadron's assistance at Wiga, which, of course, the French must capture before they can move on towards St. Petersburg. Wiga, there's a fine harbor there, sir. The city's in your short distance up the river from the Gulf. Yes, I know, for sure. The ambassador's telling his agent to say the least which wouldn't. There, with region power draw. Frankly, there's a panic at the Russian court. And Wiga is a vital spot, as well as vulnerable. Hmm. Cathcart goes on to us that I detept the cutter clam, dispatched her back to England with the news. Hmm. I don't like losing her. Oh, well, we mustn't delay. Well, no doubt you wish to go with her, Lord, which would... Oh, naturally! When duty calls and all that, you know, homeblocks... I must ask you to wait when I complete my own dispatches for the Admiralty. And, uh, yes, a brief letter to my wife.

8:17Yes, they won't take long. Of course. I've been bushed, I suggest to tell them in that this is their town to ride home, too. Oh, and one other thing which would. I shall send my secretary, Mr. Sorker, back to England in your charge, to be tried by court-martial. I'll give you all the papers relating to his case. Very well covered, all. I envy you, you know, which would... Oh, yes. Glimps of England at this time. Huh. Everyone alone knows when the rest of us will see it. The Northern Summer had come to settle. Day by day, as we bore on, a brassy sun blazed hotter, and the breezes almost died. Barely enough, wind stirred the cavernous evening with all our candles set. Over the full eight days before we finally crept into the Bay of Viga, a night was falling as I stared out through my glass of this new shore. That's no man's land between the two forces, I imagine.

9:18Well, if the Russians weren't still holding the village, there'd be no fires. Our puzzle's so far, so I'll have to do all events. Two for them, sir! Two for them, sir. I'd like to bear up. Very good, carry on. Oh, well, the moon's rising. Overhand, on the port pass, there she's pulling on. You have to catch that boat if we can, man. Aye, aye, stop. Start at two points. Get away the gate. Don't shoot, please, man. That's the haven't seen us yet. Right, sir. That's good. Stand by. Wherever they are, man, they've not much skill. They should have headed for shorewater. Or as against sail with no racers. We need prisoners for information. I'm hoping that boat holds the proper answers. Oh, boy there, boat! He's on! Yes, your pistol. I don't suppose I need to shoot again.

10:18I wonder if there's fellows of... Oh, rather noisy mic for our first visit. Because of the... Excellent. There's plenty, sir. We've got to vote two officers, three men. Had the five prisoners were thrust up over the highway's side, and I saw the star of the Legion of Honor, glittering on the chest of one young officer. And he would be their leader, I concluded. Are you liking all, Mrs. Mane and Frank, please? You see. Shoot the battalion depot. Do you need this? Archimedes don't ever. Mmm, major of engineers. A good catch, man. You understand some English, I gather, sir. Are we? I'm firm. My mind was busy with the problem of... I could induce him to supply me with some facts, but I solely need it. And I... I had an idea. I must forget the necessity of taking your prisoners home, especially at the start of a sort of promising campaign, but possibly I can arrange an exchange at an early date.

11:20Ah. In case Monsieur has friends with whom he might like me to communicate, I shall do so at my first opportunity. Marshall, me don't you got the hand to move, be very glad to hear. Ah. I am on duty, sir. Ah, well. Come on to the chiefs, sir. Then you must be... You must be chief engineer, eh? Yes, you are important. Ah. That's too bad. After all you had no reason to suspect a British squadron in this bay. None of whatever. We had been told in the country that these Russians really just are blockade. Mmm, they've been supplying you with information then. Mmm. Ah, well, all Russians are quite useless, are they not? I suppose your Emperor has met with a little opposition from the Russians. Oh, you have taken Smolet, stand the Emperor himself, matches on Moscow. And power divisions will soon occupy St. Petersburg. Indeed. But possibly the Dweener River may become an obstacle. We go too, stands in your path.

12:20Don't look for long. Just one bold push across the river mouth. And the Russians will dissolve the moment we have turned their flags. So that's what you've been up to when we napped him. You're now watching for a good place to land French forces across the mouth of the Dweener. A daring move, sir. Well, they have all the great traditions of the French army. Ah. You, of course, you have to cross the river before your operations can proceed. Now that you have sufficient landing craft for your forces, probably it's like you've got to do not always miss you. Ah. We have bodies. He's gone out there. Ah. Seize that in the towel before these stupid Russians could destroy it. Oh, indeed. But, of course, the Russians still hold both sides of the river. Well, for the movement. They all go to our side. The Western side by nothing but their finger nails, however. Why me? But do not think me fully enough to reveal military information, sir. No chance of wielding anything more from the cocky young major for the present.

13:20But at least I've learned about those captured barges and that they planned an attack soon directly across the river's mouth. Our Russians are always incompetent, isn't it, so, Major? A prompt assault on your parties? Of course, it's a clever plan, allowing them no chance of digging in. But you'll pardon me now, sir, if I attend to my duties? Hmm. When we turn to the squadron, Mr. Binder, please. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Oh, armed with that tidy bit of information, I stepped better than I'd hoped that might have in an alien harbor. No doubt the Russians here had agreed up with all confirmed land lovers. But I could be counted on. I felt a cope with this type of problem. I was even ratified, in fact, that the French were not discounting good sea water in their plans. The next morning in my cabin I had a conference with all six captains of my squadron. Oh, very, very good. Well, it's quite clear, and gentlemen, the Russians still hold both river banks, the Western one precariously. The French must cross that river, if they're to surround weaker.

14:22When they try it, we shall beg as many barges as we can. Yes, we will. We'll carry out the patrol I've outlined each evening at Sundance. The French will scarcely attempt to be a face planned by daylight. Are there any questions? You said, I think, sir, that my suit raven would hold one edge of the defense line. Quite correct, Mr. Gold. You'll anchor each night on the very edge of the shows to west of the French side. It's your light draft that dictates that position. Mr. Vickery and Lotus scard the other river bank. The rest of us hold stations in between. And armed small boats will row guard at the mouth. Your stations understood? That will be all for the moment, gentlemen. Oh, one last word please. Captain Gold spoke of our defense line. Yet it's not so much a defense as a pat. Let them thrust their heads well into the loose before any alarm is given. Otherwise, we'll simply scare them off. Very well, gentlemen. Thank you for your attendance.

15:23At Valsk, my king conveyed me up the yellow greener river past the village at the mouth of the bustling walks of Rika. There, the governor met me. I met a crowd of other dignitaries. By their demeanor, he would never guess they lived in a besieged city. My cox and brown was in charge of my boat's crew, and I told him to wait there for my return. But I soon realized it would be difficult to have a private talk with General Esnaf. Commodore, may I present the intentant of California. Count Canerim and the Countess. They too are recently arrived at Riga. Oh, yes. I know the Countess. We met at Valsk all the time. Another Russian diner, Commodore. Do you feel you are equal to it this time?

16:24Well, I'm learning, Countess. At least I shouldn't give my whole attention to the order. Come on, all. Sir, Charles, is that you? What's that racket? I must be French barges. I had to reverse her, and our patrol was resisting. Is our ginkgoor at the wall? Ready, I'm waiting for you, sir. Oh, come on, then, Brian. What are we waiting for? Let you call. How long, sir, please? Alright, sir. Quite an event for night. But their barges didn't get across, sir. Most of them put back, put back. Well, call them, too. The one said, up the alarm, you said, just a huge fan. They're all hands spinning, small boats pulled for the river here. The great Mr. Cole, you sent up that racket the moment you saw them? Why? Yes, sir. Certainly. Call your... Oh, well, it's too late now.

17:24And everywhere, both the police are here. The police took the right police. Have you heard of this? I have. We're not alongside the Commodore, man. I thought I saw you, sir. Things aren't as bad as they might be. Alright, you, Mr. Cole. We'd back five barges on our side, sir. Cut them off before they could get back to their own shore. I think that's more like it, how many prisoners? Well, I should say, nearly a thousand, sir. Roughly 200 Frenchmen to a barge. The rest turn back at the alarm. I couldn't help but feel some disappointment. I'd hope for a catch of at least a dozen barges, perhaps twenty-five hundred men. And yet, it was my own fault, too. Who else placed Cole in its key position? At all events, thanks to young Vickery, we'd headed off the crossing for that night. Strange people, Russians.

18:26That intreminable ballet was still going on as I entered the opera. General, may I speak to you, please? Yes. Oh, see you, Commodore. You come outside the box and I won't please. Commodore, what has it been? I'm just a little talker. Yes, I've been feeling well. I've been feeling well. You know, I've been feeling well. I've been feeling well. I've been feeling well. I've been feeling well. I've been feeling well. Comodov, what has he been doing? The pile has been huge. There was a slight distraction. The Navy's job, of course. I regret I had to leave without advising you. The French were attempting to cross the river miles in barges. We managed, how can we thank you enough, sir? You have struck a million below for Mother Russia. Thank you, General. I feel I ought to warn you, though. They're short to try this plan again. And if they do, we'll... Of course, of course. We must talk of all these.

19:27But now you must come back into the box. You miss so much of this galonite. Well, sir, look, it's late, you know. And I... I insist. I'll come and talk. The banner has been so beautiful. Come. Come. Thank you. Oh, you first, General. No doubt the war can wait another day. The war can wait another day. The war can wait another day. The war can wait another day. The war can wait another day. The war can wait another day. Horatio Hornblower, starring Michael Redgrave, is based on the novels by C. S. Farrister. Music composed and conducted by Sidney Torch. Produced by Harry Allen Torres.