- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Narrating - commenting on the provocatively beautiful wife of the Maori cook who was hired at the last minute, and who had insisted on bringing his wife along, against Captain Rummill's wishes] It had never entered my mind that the woman would be so sensuous, so exotically beautiful. I knew then that I had started my command with a dangerous error of judgment.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Mahia, serving dinner in the officer's mess, is dressed rather provocatively] I suggest that while you're on this ship, you wear something a little less revealing.
- Mahia: [Coyly] Does it bother the captain?
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Capt. Rummill does not respond, merely gives her disapproving looks, then resumes his dinner]
- Henry Scott: You're no match for me without that knife.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: I'm not going to throw it away to find out.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Narrating; text is also seen on opening title card] There was a ship named the S.S. Berwind. This is the story of that ship... A story which actually happened... A story of the most infamous, diabolically cunning crime in the annals of Maritime history.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Responding to a sarcastic remark made by one of the crew] Oh, dear. I suppose every ship must have its comic. It's one of the curses of the sea - like rats, and scurvy.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Narrating, as he is being ferried out to meet his new command, the S.S. Berwind - an old freighter that is quite a change from the luxury liners which comprise Capt. Rummill's entire maritime career] The S.S. Berwind: as dirty, as miserable, as rusted-up an old tub as I'd ever seen. The nearer I approached her, the more profoundly depressed I became. There was an unhealthy atmosphere of tension. I was conscious of it even before I reached the deck. There'd been a breakdown in discipline. I'd have to take a firm hand.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [Narrating] At five a.m. today, Mr. Moody passed away in his sleep. At twelve noon, we buried him at sea. The crew seemed to feel that Mr. Moody died of a broken heart. And somehow the troublemakers twisted this to make it appear as if I were responsible. It was just one more thing to fan the unrest that was brewing day by day.
- Leroy Martin: [as the two of them drag Mace from his bunk] What're you gonna' do with him?
- Henry Scott: We'll throw him off the stern.
- Leroy Martin: He'll scream like a stuck pig.
- Henry Scott: Nobody'll hear him.
- [They proceed to drag Mace, kicking and struggling, back to the stern of the ship, where they toss him into the sea]
- Henry Scott: Rummill, you're no sailor. You're like the rest of those panty-waists on luxury liners: cocktail parties, watercress sandwiches and drinking tea. That's your racket!
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: Looks like it's going to be your brawn against my brain, doesn't it?
- Henry Scott: Yeah, it does!
- [He lunges at the captain, and a struggle ensues]
- Henry Scott: Now look, Mace, how would you like to have all the money you need? Enough to buy all the dames and champagne you want? Even a nice big red sports car and, if you're a gambling man, enough to bet the races - a thousand dollars a race?
- Mace: Are you nuts? What are you tryin' to give me?
- Henry Scott: I'm giving you a million dollar idea.
- Henry Scott: They're flying some joker out with better connections. It's not the record that counts, it's who you look up to back at the home office.
- Tom Walsh: I wouldn't go that far, Scott.
- Henry Scott: I'm going topside to get some fresh air - before I vomit.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: [voice over] I was met by a chief engineer, Alex Cole. Also waiting for my plane was the former Captain of the Berwind - he was in a pine box.
- Henry Scott: For 10 years I've been workin' for the breaks. Now, they're starting to come my way and fast. Another things gonna help, that well stacked doll we've got on board. We can parade her in front of these apes.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: Mr. Pringle, explain that taking this woman aboard was merely a matter of economics. Make it emphatic that I forbid any familiarity with her, whatsoever.
- Henry Scott: This broad's a gift from heaven. All right, Leroy, you know what to do. Get to work.
- Leroy Martin: It will be a pleasure, Mr. Scott.
- Leroy Martin: I hope you're going to be comfortable. What's your name, honey?
- Mahia: Mahia.
- Leroy Martin: I'd hate to see a less chick like you ruin her pretty hands in scalding water. I tell you what, I'll be back after mess to help you with the dishes, personally.
- Leroy Martin: Now, relax, baby doll, relax.
- Mahia: If my husband finds you like this, he'll kill you.
- Leroy Martin: Some things are worth dyin' for, honey, and this is one of 'em.
- Leroy Martin: You know, it's crazy.
- Mahia: What's crazy?
- Leroy Martin: Oh, a doll like you being tied up with that Pete guy. He's a square if I've ever seen one.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: I guess I'm in for it now. I've ordered the cook locked up in the hospital cabin. But, there's nothing the ringleaders will latch onto quicker than bad food.
- Henry Scott: Let me tell you about Leroy, he can break 'em down fast. When he makes a play for a dame, he usually gets it.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: You know you're not supposed to be out here. I gave you strict instructions to stay in your cabin.
- Mahia: Oh, stay in my cabin, stay in my cabin, that's all I ever hear is stay in my cabin!
- Leroy Martin: The boys been doin' a lot of talkin'. You know, they got funny ideas.
- Capt. Edwin Rummill: Funny ideas?
- Henry Scott: Yeah, about what's been goin' on up here.
- Leroy Martin: Meanin' you and the doll, sir.
- Henry Scott: I've been doin' a lot of thinkin' - thinkin' about the skipper and that broad on board who's just loaded with sex.
- Henry Scott: We can use this, Leroy. We'll balloon it - balloon it to the sky. This is the clincher we've been waitin' for.