1:45:00
Objection. I beg the court's indulgence.
1:45:02
The defense outrages the dignity
of this proceeding.
1:45:05
The judge advocate wants the defense
to switch to a guilty plea.
1:45:09
He thinks the report of the psychiatrist
closes the case.
1:45:11
But it is up to you line naval officers,
not doctors...
1:45:14
to judge the captain's performance
of duty.
1:45:16
I must review that performance
for the navy to render a judgement.
1:45:20
Objection overruled.
1:45:22
Now, sir. Did you ever steam over
your own towline and out it?
1:45:25
Well, f for one am happy to dispose
of this particular slander.
1:45:31
While we were towing the target,
I noticed antiaircraft bursts close.
1:45:35
Naturally, I turned to avoid them.
1:45:37
And you continued to turn
in a full circle.
1:45:40
My unreliable helmsman failed to warn me
we were coming around 360 degrees.
1:45:44
I caught it in time
and instantly reversed course.
1:45:48
To the best of my knowledge,
we didn't steam over the towline.
1:45:51
I see.
1:45:53
Besides the antiaircraft bursts,
did nothing else distract you?
1:45:56
Not that I recall.
1:45:58
Weren't you engaged in reprimanding
a seaman named Dlugatch, at length...
1:46:03
for caving his shirttail out,
while the ship turned 360 degrees?
1:46:08
I reprimanded him,
but that only took two seconds.
1:46:13
When the Caine escorted attack boats
of marines to the beach...
1:46:17
did your orders include
dropping a yellow dye-marker?
1:46:21
I don't recall.
1:46:23
Did you drop one?
1:46:26
I don't recall.
1:46:28
Didn't you steam several hundred yards
ahead of the attack boats...
1:46:32
drop a dye-marker
and retire at high speed...
1:46:35
leaving the boats to make the beach
on their own?
1:46:37
The question is abusive
and flagrantly leading.
1:46:39
There oan be no more serious a charge
to an officer than cowardice under fire.
1:46:44
May I make one thing clear?
1:46:47
It is not the defense's contention
that Commander Queeg is a coward.
1:46:51
Quite the contrary.
1:46:52
The defense assumes no man who rises
to command a naval ship can he a coward.
1:46:58
And therefore, if he commits
questionable acts under fire...