Written by Kris Land
The 1955 hit Mister Roberts (Mr. Roberts) was not only an important film in cinema, but also in the history
of the IX-308. World War II was coming to an end, but Mr. Roberts brought this important event back to life with a healthy dose of humor. The movie follows the efforts and antics of one Mr. Roberts, stuck aboard a United States cargo vessel in the Pacific during World War II. Roberts desperately wants to move on to bigger and better things and get a piece of the action. Not only does he have to contend with an iron fisted captain who refuses to approve his transfer requests, but also the other unique characters working aboard the ship.
The film recreation of Mr. Roberts gave Henry Fonda the title role just as he had won a Tony Award for it on Broadway. Surprisingly, William Holden and Marlon Brando were offered the role and turned it down. The film also marked the end of William Powell's career. Powell, who played Lt. Doc, was having difficulties memorizing his lines. The problem proved too challenging, and Mr. Roberts became Powell's final film appearance, but he is surely remembered for his big-screen brilliance.
It was filmed on the South Pacific island of Midway and aboard the U.S.S. New Bedford FS 289. Director John Ford became ill while filming and Mervyn Leroy completed the film, both received screen credit, nominated for three academy awards including best picture, Lemmon won for best supporting actor. Before it's release Cagney, Fonda and Lemmon re-created scenes on the Ed Sullivan Show"
James Cagney is simply great as the Captain of the ship, a little man in size and soul who makes life aboard tedious and unbearable for the men under him, Audiences will enter whole-heartedly into the sailors' conspiracy against Cagney and enjoy thoroughly the comedy that results.
What many fans of Mr. Roberts are not aware of is that the United States Navy initially did not condone the film, primarily James Cagney's character Captain Morton. They felt it sent a negative message about Navy officers and was not the image they wanted the public to see. Former Navy captain, John Ford, stepped in and along with a few friends at the Navy headquarters located in Washington they were able to sway opinion.
Jack Lewis is not a name often associated with Mr. Roberts but he actually played an interesting, if brief, role in the film. During production, the original stuntman hired to perform the motorcycle off the pier stunt refused to finish the scene. Luckily, a young marine, Jack Lewis, who was simply observing the magic of Hollywood stepped up to the plate. John Ford hired him to complete the stunt for $700, even though Lewis had no training and did not know how to ride a motorcycle. He did have, however, the nerve to give it a try.
Mister Roberts will surely shine on in our hearts for an eternity for its magical cast and delightful plot. And with our collaborative efforts to save the Sea Bird from being scrapped we will also be able to hold on to a very tangible, major part of this magic movie
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1944: Camano Class Light Cargo Ship was laid down for the US Army as FS-289 at Wheeler Shipbuilding in Whitestone, NY.
1945: Delivered to US Army.
1950: Acquired by the US Navy on July 1, 1950 and placed in service as USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1954: The movie, Mister Roberts, was made on the USNS New Bedford (T-AKL-17).
1955 - 1963: Used as a cargo supply ship for the Texas Towers, a network of advanced radar stations located off the Eastern Seaboard. In 1957, Capt. Sixto Mangual was commander of the AKL-17 and in 1961 it was rechristened the USNS New Bedford. The New Bedford, sailing out of State Pier, was keeping vigil when Texas Tower No. 4 callapsed off the New Jersey coast during a January 1961 nor'easter.
1963: Reclassified as Miscellaneous Unclassified (IX-308).
1971: The New Bedford (IX-308) served as a Torpedo Test Firing Vessel in the Puget Sound area.
1994: Ceremony in New Bedford.
1995: The ship was struck from the Naval Register on April 4.
2004: The Sea Bird's current disposition is a tuna long liner (fishing boat) out of San Diego, CA.
2006: Design of the Tesla Turbine began on June 11, 2006. The Sea Bird was sold by Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service for commercial service.
2007: The Sea Bird was drydocked for renovations.
2008: The Sea Bird setting sail to Sea-Tac in Seattle, WA.
2009 - 2010: The Sea Bird is currently docked at Seattle Sea-Tac.
