for me.
Mr. Simpson, as I am sure
you will be glad to hear,
shall recover and rejoin the service.
However, he is to remain with
Captain Keene aboard Justinian.
You should know, Mr. Hornblower,
that I do not think much of men who
let other's fight their battles
for them.
No, sir.
But, neither will I base my opinion
of an officer on hearsay.
I judge a man on what I see him do,
not what
- others tell me he has done.
-Yes, sir.
Doubtless, had you been properly led,
this situation would not have arisen.
Captain Keene bears no blame…
It's not your place to condemn
him or defend him.
No, sir, I meant only that what
befell was outside his control.
Aboard his ship, sir,
there is nothing outside
a captain's control
-and you would do well to remember it
-Yes, sir.
England is at war, Mr. Hornblower.
You have already cost this navy
two midshipmen
one injured, one dead.
No one mourns Mr.Clayton's loss more
than I, sir,and I resent…
You resent?
Darn your impudence, sir.
I will not lose men to no better
cause than
the satisfaction of their own vanity.
Whilst under my command,
you will issue
no further challenge,
is that understood?
-Aye, aye, sir.
-Very well.
I have it from Lt. Eccleston that
those hands formerly
of Mr.Simpson's division
are something
of an ill-disciplined rabble.
-Would you concur?
-Yes, sir.
They are now your division.
We sail to battle, Mr. Hornblower.
I cannot afford to feed men
who do not pull their weight.
You will make them work
-or you will answer for it.
-Yes, sir.
Division line up for inspection.
Name?
What's the matter with
your face, Styles?
Oh, he gets bi...
Boils, sir, awful bad.
-Have you done anything about them?
-Oh yes, sir.
-Well?
-I've put plasters on them, sir.
Very well. What's funny, Oldroyd?
-Nothing, sir.
-Matthews?
Nothing, sir.
All right, carry on.
Be about your work, now.
Aye, aye, sir.
Break his back. Break his back.
Time! Time, Styles!
Five dead, pay your bets,
evens or better.
-Six!
-Five!
-Where?
-There, that one's dead.
-No, he ain't. Come on…
-Look, yes he is, his back is broken.
Oh, fuck!
Who's in charge, here?
-We're not on watch, sir.
-No, you're gambling.
This is now't but a bit of fun, sir.
It's hardly what you could
call gambling.
There are other charges possible
here, Matthews.
Other charges?
A member of His Majesty's forces
can be charged
with rendering himself unfit
for service.
Similarly, there could be charges
of aiding and abetting,
which might include you.
I should consult the Articles of War.
Punishment for such an offense is
-flogging around the fleet,I believe.
-Really, sir.
I could bring charges against
every man jack of you.
You could be court martialed,
dis-rated, flogged.
By God,one more look like that
from you, Styles,and I'll do it.
Belay that, mate.
You'd be in irons five minutes after
I've spoken to Lt.Eccleston.
Mr. Simpson had no argument
with our sports.
Mr. Simpson is no longer in charge
of your division.
I am.
And I'll have no more of these
filthy games,do you understand?
The next hint of misbehaviour and
you will be at the gratings.
-But, sir…
-I've said it and I mean it!
After this, I want to see you in
the dogwatches,
sky-larking on deck,
not skulking in the cable tiers like
a lot of darn Frenchmen.
Are you going to tell Mr. Eccleston?
No, not this time.
I'm giving you a chance to prove
yourselves worthy of my trust.
Aye, sir.
Right, now. Get rid of
those rats there.
Styles, get your face
plastered up again.
Matthews, coil these cables
down properly
before the boatswain sees it.
Oldroyd, it was six.
Hands to quarters! Hands to quarters!
Enemy ship to larboard!
-Fire as they bear, Mr. Eccleston.
-Aye, sir.
Fire!
Lay us alongside, Mr. Bowles.
We can carry this action
by boarding her.
Hard a larboard!
Styles,help me get him
to the surgery!
Come on, Davey.
-This man needs help.
-I'll tend to him presently.