Created in 1928, the silent feature “Q-Ships” takes place on the high seas of the Atlantic in World War I. The “Q-Ships” in question were part of an English ruse to tackle the U-boat threat: normal looking merchant vessels were converted to carry weapons, in hopes of luring an unsuspecting enemy raider to its demise. The film presents an interesting look at the WWI battle for maritime supremacy, which preceded and in many ways predicted WWII’s “Battle of the Atlantic”. The use of convoys, hydrophones and other means to detect U-boats, and other innovations are shown. What’s particularly fascinating about this film is that it utilizes real U-boats and Q-ships in the production. The film was originally produced by New Era Productions, an English film company which made a number of semi-documentary features based on historical fact. The films presented a combination of real heroes, actual World War I footage and studio scenes that gave a feel of a real war. Copyright 1928, Part 2 of 2. Note: this particular print is a re-release from Blackhawk.

Opening: The Germans are fired on, they react with concern. “Q” ships were placed in the water, they looked like real ships but were decoys. American Admirals in disguise meet and plan (:11-2:38). The Americans have drinks at a table. German sailors on a ship volunteer for dangerous service (2:39-5:00). Moonlit night. Germans plot and plan as they study a map (5:01-6:37). Two Germans shake hands as one heads out to join his U-Boat crew. Onboard the submarine, the Captain of the U-Boat speaks to his men (6:38-8:43). July 30, 1918, an American “Q” ship is floating at sea. The Americans sit and wait, acting like a regular ship. One angry guy tries to write a letter while the others make noise. German U-Boat watches. Periscopes are deployed as the U-Boat starts to submerge (8:44-11:38). Onboard the “Q” ship, An African American speaks to a fellow passenger, the Captain. The Captain looks at the sea with binoculars. He sees a periscope. He tells the crew to get ready (11:39-13:48). The periscope approaches the ship. The German Captain signals to fire. And a torpedo is fired at the Americans. An African American sailor smokes on the bow and watches the torpedo coming. The torpedo hits the ship and the Captain tells everyone to get ready to enact their plan. Some of the men act in a panic and get into a lifeboat (13:49-16:15). More men act like they’re leaving. They forgot the African American. The Captain goes to find him and the men get into the lifeboat together (16:16-18:18). The lifeboat starts to row away. Periscope can still be seen, like a shark’s fin, hovering. One American remains on the ship, he jumps into the water and swims over to the lifeboat. The Germans look through the periscope (18:19-20:28). Americans continue to row and play the act. Americans onboard monitor the U-Boat. Germans watch the ship (20:29-22:33). Periscope is above the water and the Germans feel it is safe to surface. U-Boat breaks the surf. They get close to the ship. The lifeboat remains nearby and the Americans onboard watch what the Germans are doing (22:34-25:08). German Captain watches, from outside the submarine hatch, with his binoculars. U-Boat approaches the ship (25:09-27:02). Americans onboard monitor as the Germans get within firing distance. The Allied ship opens fire on the Germans catching them off guard. The Germans are bombarded with weaponry. German U-Boat takes on water. The men in the lifeboat cheer (27:03-28:51). Allies continue to fire on the Germans. The Germans take a lot of mortar shells. Allies cheer (28:52-30:01). German U-Boat fires on a “Q” ship. They sink the ship. On November 21, 1918, Germany surrendered. German high command meet and they are to act accordingly concerning the surrender (30:02-33:24). German Captain looks at a picture. He exits the room and climbs a set of stairs slowly. Submarine at sea. German U-Boats off Harwich (33:25-35:39). End credits (35:40-35:44). Directors: Geoffrey Barkas & Michael Barringer

Cast: J.P. Kennedy, Roy Travers, Johnny Butt, Philip Hewland, Douglas Herald, Charles Emerald, George Turner, Lionel d’Aragon, Alec Hurley, Terence O’Brien, Hugh Douglas, Val Gielgud, Earl Jellicoe & Harold Auten.

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, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com