Submarine Patrol (1938) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Perry Townsend III used his connections to an admiral to join the Navy for World War I without any formal training. His family connections allowed him to bypass the typical enlistment process, and he was immediately appointed as chief engineer of the sub chaser S.C. 599, a rundown vessel in the so-called "splinter fleet" that other officers likely avoided.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in Brooklyn, Townsend's tendency to rely on his wealthy family's influence sets up his unrealistic expectations of naval service.

• Perry Townsend
• Navy
• World War I
• training
• connections
• sub chaser

Lt. John C. Drake was found guilty of "gross negligence" for being on watch when his destroyer ran aground. Rather than receiving a severe punishment, a sympathetic superior gave him command of the 599, likely viewing it as a way for him to redeem himself. He was also entrusted with four veteran seamen, including his old friend Sails Quincannon, to help him restore his reputation through successful service.

Foreshadowing: Drake's earlier failure as a commander establishes his need for redemption, which drives his strict disciplinary approach aboard the 599.

• Lieutenant Drake
• negligence
• commander
• sub chaser
• court martial

Old Man 26 was a German U-boat that had sunk 31 Allied ships before the 599 was ordered to attack it. The submarine's base was hidden behind a dense minefield in the Adriatic, making the mission extremely dangerous. Because of the high risk, Drake was only permitted to take volunteers, and every crewman volunteered to undertake the attack.

Foreshadowing: The earlier successful sinking of a U-boat on Friday the 13th demonstrates the 599's capability, building confidence for this more perilous mission.

• Old Man 26
• German submarine
• U-boat
• minefield
• Adriatic
• volunteer mission

Captain Leeds owned the freighter Maria Ann and initially viewed Townsend as a privileged, showy young man unworthy of his daughter. When he discovered Townsend was continuing to see Susan despite his direct orders to stop, the conflict escalated to physical confrontation, with Leeds punching Townsend. The class difference and Townsend's irresponsible reputation fueled Leeds's strong disapproval.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes establish Susan and her father's unimpressed reaction to Townsend's wealthy lifestyle, setting up the romantic conflict.

• Captain Leeds
• Susan Leeds
• romance
• objection
• class difference
• father

On the night of Friday the 13th, lookout Pratt raised a false alarm aboard the 599, followed shortly by a genuine sighting of a periscope. The crew quickly responded and successfully sank a German U-boat using depth charges. The vessel then continued on to reach the port of Brindisi, Italy, marking a significant victory.

Foreshadowing: The false alarm earlier in the evening creates tension that makes the real periscope sighting more impactful when it occurs.

• Friday the 13th
• periscope
• U-boat
• depth charges
• Brindisi
• submarine attack

After Townsend knocked out Captain Leeds to prevent him from interfering with the mission against Old Man 26, Leeds woke up and learned of the dangerous assignment ahead. Rather than continuing to oppose Townsend, he joined him in the engine room to help operate the engines during the attack, transforming their feud into a working alliance.

Foreshadowing: Earlier confrontations between the two men build tension that makes their eventual cooperation more meaningful.

• engine room
• Captain Leeds
• Townsend
• cooperation
• Old Man 26 attack

The mission to attack Old Man 26 was extremely perilous because the German submarine's base was hidden behind a dense minefield, making it nearly suicidal. Despite, or perhaps because of, the danger, every single crewman volunteered. Their willingness likely stemmed from a combination of loyalty to Drake, patriotic duty, and the crew's newfound discipline and cohesion under his command.

Foreshadowing: Townside's earlier gesture of taking the crew to a dive bar helped build goodwill that flourishes under Drake's leadership.

• volunteers
• crew
• minefield
• danger
• Old Man 26
• loyalty

Townsend sent a message to Susan asking her to meet him at the Hotel Rex, where he declared his love and proposed marriage. Susan accepted his proposal. However, Captain Leeds arrived, interrupted the reunion, punched Townsend again, and dragged Susan back to the ship, temporarily thwarting their plans.

Foreshadowing: The 4 AM kiss earlier establishes their mutual attraction, making the proposal a natural progression of their relationship.

• Hotel Rex
• proposal
• Susan
• Townsend
• marriage
• Captain Leeds

The S.C. 599 was part of what the film describes as the "splinter fleet", a collection of older, worn-out vessels that were considered less reliable or desirable than the Navy's main ships. These sub chasers were often assigned to less glamorous but still necessary duties, such as convoy escort and coastal patrol work.

Foreshadowing: The run-down condition of the 599 establishes the challenge Drake and Townsend face in making the ship combat-ready.

• splinter fleet
• sub chaser
• S.C. 599
• Navy
• older ships
• convoy escort