This circa 1964 US Department of the Navy film SEAPOWER takes an in-depth look at the capabilities of the 1960s Navy and U.S. Marines Corps team, and also offers a fanciful look at “future” technologies imaged in the 1960s. Hollywood actor Glenn Ford explains that much of the world is free because US Navy ships stand at the ready with sailors and marines.
“While we are looking toward the unfolding mystery of outer space the free world must still look to the promise of liquid space to survive. No global aggressor can ever be permitted to seize control of this planet’s seas; to deny the ocean’s free use across its service lane or across its floor,” Ford says as he casts a steely gaze toward the camera.
We cut to fishing vessels at mark 02:45, as they cast nets into the waters in search of food to feed an ever-growing world population. A few seconds later, we are reminded how vast deposits of oil are being tapped beneath the ocean floor with wells and pumping stations. And then, there is exploration of the sea, as the film shows us Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard at mark 03:16, along with US Navy Lt. Don Walsh and the bathyscaphe Trieste. (In January 1960, Piccard and Walsh achieved the goal of Project Nexton by reaching a record maximum depth of about 35,800 feet in the deepest part of Earth’s oceans — the Challenger Deep — in the Mariana Trench near Guam in the Pacific Ocean.) We also see a “flip ship” at mark 03:38, a unique oceanographic research vessel that can be transitioned from a horizontal to a vertical position. “The secrets of sea space — ocean scientists seek them out,” Ford says. At mark 03:55, the viewer is reminded of how submarines are also used to answer secrets about what lies beneath the waves, “charting the strange geography of the ocean deep” and uncovering supplies of mineral wealth for future generations. He adds that the future may include such vessels as hydrofoil sea crafts or ships that float on cushions of air, as the screen fills with conceptual artwork. Underwater research facilities, satellite-controlled plastic cargo vessels controlled by a pilotless tug, and missiles launched from underwater platforms, may also become a reality in the “future,” he remarks.
By mark 08:30, the viewer sees the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, with 100 sea-based bombers and fighters, the ship is a “powerful and flexible naval fortress” as aircraft are shown taking off from and returning to her flight deck. Then, beneath the waves at mark 09:40, “silent and unseen,” we catch a glimpse of a submarine at it works its way through the water — armed with more firepower than was used in all of WWII — “the awesome persuasion for peace called Polaris.” (Polaris is a submarine-launched ballistic missile.)
From here, we see shots of shore-based patrol planes, supply ships, destroyers, hunter-killer submarines, and missile cruisers with surface-to-air missiles such as the RIM-8 Talos and RIM-24 Tartar. “Only the aggressive attacks of a predator nation might activate the navy’s devastating brand of lightning,” Ford says ominously at mark 12:38. “But if our security demanded it. If world freedom required it. If the president called for it, this is how that lighting might strike.”
What follows, beginning near mark 13:00, are several minutes of demonstration of that might as warship head toward a target. Battle stations are manned as General Quarters is sounded, and underwater demolition experts prepare the way for invasion. Photo planes conduct aerial reconnaissance before fighter planes take to the sky. If enemy submarines are detected, RUR-5 ASROC anti-submarine rockets, UUM-44 SUBROC submarine-launched rockets, and Mark 44 torpedoes are deployed.
The Navy and all armed forces remain ever vigilant, near and far … even with nearby countries like Cuba. “There might have gone world peace,” says Ford at mark 20:00, referencing the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. “There in the Caribbean, except for the grace of God and aerial photograph, and the courage of the American people, as voiced by this American.” We then hear the voice of President John F. Kennedy, explaining how the American government had conducted surveillance of the Soviet Union’s military build-up in Cuba and discovered evidence of offensive missile sites (only 90 miles from American shores) being established.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit [ Ссылка ]
