The Buccaneers (TV Series)

The Wasp (1956)

Robert Shaw: Capt. Dan Tempest

Quotes 

• Capt. Dan Tempest : You know, we're gonna do it my way. You're gonna give me the guns and the gear and the authority to get to sea and I'll fit them and fight them in my sloop!

  Lt. Edward Beamish : I've taken care of that matter in the proper manner. A special request has gone out to Jamaica suggesting they send us a special sea patrol...

  Capt. Dan Tempest : Suggesting? If you'd had the sense of a worm in a biscuit you'd realize they've enough on their hands to do without sending us any ship. I tell you, you give me the guns and the gear and we'll outfit my sloop!

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Hah, trust the defense of the colony to you, oh my dear chap - I'd as soon trust my grandmother with a barracuda!

• Lt. Edward Beamish : Bassett. Bassett!

  Petty Officer Sam Bassett : Aye, aye, sir!

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Pass the word down the line - prepare to charge when I give the signal!

  Capt. Dan Tempest : Yes, you would, too! You'd go strolling down there and get your head blown off. There are better ways to come in on a galleon than bearing down under full sail. Now you keep drawing their fire. I'm gonna go down there and come in on them from the starboard. When you hear me signal from the beach - then you can make your blasted charge!

  [Leaves] 

  Lt. Edward Beamish : [Hollers fiercely after him]  I'm giving the orders round here, Tempest!

  Petty Officer Sam Bassett : Eh, what, ah, are the orders, sir?

  Lt. Edward Beamish : [Still agitated]  What do you mean, what are the orders? Charge!

  [pauses briefly, continues in a milder tone] 

  Lt. Edward Beamish : When Tempest gives the signal from the beach.

  [Bassett smiles as he leaves] 

• Lt. Edward Beamish : [Clears throat as he opens a letter, pauses and then begins to pace with agitation]  Oh no!

  [Clears throat, addresses wall] 

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Now look here, Tempest!

  [Captain Tempest enters the room behind him, unseen] 

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Now, now, now, look here Tempest, old chap, there can be no reason - ah, there can be no real reason - there can be absolutely no real reason why two grown men should not be able to...

  Capt. Dan Tempest : [Interrupts]  Able to what?

  Lt. Edward Beamish : To, mm?

  [Turns and sees Tempest, who laughs. Beamish chuckles uncomfortably] 

  Lt. Edward Beamish : I was just talking to you - I, I mean I want to talk to you...

  Capt. Dan Tempest : [Interrupting]  And I want to talk to you! We've got to get this defense question settled once and for all.

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Now, now, now, now, look here, Captain Tempest, there can be no reason, no real reason why two grown up men should not be able to, to - oh well, dash it all, we've got the Spanish enemy in common!

  Capt. Dan Tempest : Oh stop flapping like a torn jib, man - come on out with it!

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Captain Tempest -

  [takes a deep breath and clears his throat] 

  Lt. Edward Beamish : I have here a communication from Jamaica. The Royal Navy advises - tha... Oh, read it yourself!

  [Shoves paper at Tempest, walks to the other side of the room] 

  Capt. Dan Tempest : [Reading]  On the recommendation of Woods Rogers, you are hereby requested to offer Captain Dan Tempest the task of patrolling the shores and sea approaches of New Providence.

  [Interjects to Beamish] 

  Capt. Dan Tempest : Fine! I accept!

  Lt. Edward Beamish : Well, the arrangements are to be, I take it, under the usual privateer's commission: we'll furnish the arms and the provisions, et cetera, and you and your crew will get fifty percent of all goods confiscated in action.

  Capt. Dan Tempest : Well, more or less.

  Lt. Edward Beamish : More or less is not the usual mode of agreement, Captain Tempest!

  Capt. Dan Tempest : I'm not the usual mode of sea patrol, Mr. Beamish! This'll do for the present - we'll, ah, make up the rest as we go along, eh?

  [Chuckles gleefully]