You’re in the Navy Now

Lt. John W. Harkness, newly commissioned, bids farewell to his wife Ellie and reports aboard PC-1168. He is unexpectedly selected to head a secret project thanks to his civilian engineering background, an election signaled by a punched IBM card. The crew consists mainly of civilians and 90-day wonders, setting a tense dynamic for what lies ahead.

The Navy informs Harkness that he will lead a covert testing program aboard PC-1168. The ship is outfitted with a steam engine and an experimental evaporator-condenser to evaluate the feasibility of such a system on patrol craft. The mix of civilian crew and new officers is tasked with turning an unproven concept into workable sea power.

On their initial voyage, PC-1168 suffers serious bow damage, highlighting the fragility of the new setup. Harkness clashes with Commander Reynolds, who oversees the project on behalf of Rear Admiral Tennant. The base and crew nickname the ship the 'USS Teakettle' as doubt about the experiment grows.

Reynolds restricts the crew to the ship to force progress, but the relentless failures threaten the program’s viability. Morale plummets among the inexperienced crew members who feel the project is doomed. Ellie, serving with the WAVES, secretly provides Harkness with information about Tennant’s activities, raising personal stakes.

To unify the crew, the officers orchestrate a base boxing championship in which a crewman would compete for Teakettle's pride. They train engine-room sailor Wascylewski as the ship’s representative, betting heavily on the outcome to lift spirits. In a risky move, they smuggle distilled water aboard to ensure the system can withstand the upcoming trial.

Wascylewski injures his ribs during the sea trial, forcing Barbo to stand in for the fighter. The boxing match outcome provides a morale boost, as Barbo secures a victory for the crew. The event underscores how contingency plans and improvisation are now part of the ship’s culture.

The Official Sea Trial of the Teakettle commences and the crew improvises around the experimental propulsion system. Their improvisation allows a credible performance despite earlier failures. The moment demonstrates the potential of a novice crew handling a complex installation under pressure.

Even with improvisation, the Teakettle’s trial ends in embarrassment when it rammed an aircraft carrier. The incident becomes a sobering reminder that success requires more than ingenuity. The Navy and crew must reassess their approach.

During the board of inquiry, Admiral Tennant reveals to Harkness that the handpicked, novice crew was chosen to test whether inexperienced sailors could quickly learn to operate the system. The Navy believed experts would always be available, but wartime demanded rapid adaptability. The revelation reframes the entire project as a test of training and morale rather than raw expertise.

As a reward for surviving the trials, the experimental steam power plant is replaced with a marine diesel, signaling a shift toward reliability and practicality. The change reduces the ship’s risk while preserving the lessons learned from the trial. Chief Larrabee and Harkness celebrate the improvement despite the stress endured.

With the new propulsion system, PC-1168 is assigned to convoy escort duty in the North Atlantic, marking a transition from experimental testing to active wartime service. The crew carries forward the experience gained during the trials into protecting merchant ships. The project’s success, in part, is measured by the ship’s enduring usefulness.

Ellie’s knowledge of Tennant’s activities adds tension to Harkness’s professional and personal life, highlighting the war’s reach into civilian relationships. The couple’s relationship endures amid uncertainty as the ship moves toward its new role. The human element remains a constant undercurrent to the technical ambition.