Stupid question here. In various Navy films (this one, Away All Boats, Run Silent Run Deep, Ensign Pulver, Operation Petticoat, etc) we see the enlisted guys dying for shore leave and raising hell in port. What about the officers, and the ship's captain? Does the skipper leave his ship in port and go to a bar? What about Mr. Roberts, Ensign Pulver, Doc and the other Misters? Do they pine for women & booze, or do they have enough RHIP that they don't need to?
shareI'm 100% positive they did go ashore, but given the immense responsibilities the master of a vessel had, it would be in their best interest to avoid going where the crew went or to be seen drunk in port. Did it happen? Positive it did, but the demand for qualified officers to navigate and command these vessels AT THE TIME overrode the desire to replace them for what was, during WW2, a minor infraction such as drunken shore leave.
We already know from the Captain's own remarks in the film that he is also licensed as a master of steam/motor vessels in the merchant marine. The value of holding a license as a ship's mate/master/engineer at the time was so great it can be argued it was a "get out of jail" card.
What about Mr. Roberts, Ensign Pulver, Doc and the other Misters? Do they pine for women & booze, or do they have enough RHIP that they don't need to? - geo1284060
Mr. Roberts was schedule for shore leave, but his relief took his time, and ultimately, because of the raucous caused by the sailors of The Bucket, the ship was quarantined by Shore Patrol Officer Martin Milner, and thus no fun and pleasure for Doug Roberts.
RIP Martin Milner :(