Cruel Sea, The

Captain Ericson (Jack Hawkins) starts to find his way around his new ship, the Compass Rose, that, in the setting of the film, is being built on the River Clyde in Scotland. In reality, as pointed out by Jonathan Horswell of the Railway Movie Database, this is Millbay in Plymouth (rather than the previously claimed Devonport Dockyard in Plymouth). Jonathan adds in addition that Millbay Docks has the ship moored at West Quay in the Inner Basin. The little steam loco that runs by in the background is a former GWR 1361 Class 0-6-0ST. Devonport only had Industrial 0-4-0s whereas Millbay was shunted by BR.

The former Plymouth docks area has obviously seen a lot of redevelopment since 1953! This is looking across at what is now called The Mayflower Marina. It's quite hard to work out exactly where the shot in the film was taken, as there is nothing left, but this angle is roughly correct.

Captain Ericson goes to meet his (brand new) shipmates.

This is just around the corner from the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth, with a glimpse of the River Tamar. One of the key locators for this shot is the grey shed structure in the background, which is also visible in the original film shot.

The morning march. This is still Plymouth. The houses of Stonehall Flats are in the background.

Although difficult to get an exact angle, this is standing on the Mayflower Marina in Plymouth, looking towards the houses of the stonehouse area of the city. The key to the location spot is the houses in the middle of the frame, which still match with the film. The large blue building on the left is Princess Yachts Limited, a British luxury motor yacht manufacturer.

The march continues further along the old quayside at Plymouth, with the properties of Cremyll Street & Durnford Street in the background. The large white structure on the right hand side is in Millbay docks and was Plymouth's grain silo building. It was built in the 1940s but met the wrecking ball in 2008.

The redeveloped Mayflower Marina means there are lots of masts that get in the way of the houses. But several are still recognisable from the original film shot.

Before the ship gets underway, they raise the flag. In the background you can see the Cremyll Ferry. This regular Plymouth service still runs today (as of 2018) and is an easy way for people to visit the Mount Edgecumbe attraction, that is a short distance away on the Cornish side of the Tamar River.

Some of the houses have changed, but it mostly still looks the same. The Ferry departure point is still used in exactly the same way.

Captain Ericson is involved with getting the ship underway. As they pass some of the other dock workers, various landmarks pass by in the background. This is still Plymouth, although the exact location angle is still unsolved. The church on the right could be St Mary's Church that was on James Street, Devonport. In 1959, along with four other churches in Devonport, St Mary's Church was demolished, making this a harder shot to match. The column in the centre background could possibly be the Devonport Column. Still unidentified.

After some harsh experiences during the second time at sea on the Compass Rose, there is time for more shore leave as the ship gets a refit. Site visitor Colin Young has correctly spotted that this is the corner of Senrab Street and Antill Terrace in Stepney Green, London E1 0QF with Dunelm Street in the left background.

Phil Evans managed an impressive ‘now’ shot and did a good job considering parked cars in the way. He also had good luck with the weather which makes for a nicely balanced image with the building detail clearly visible.

Colin Young again provides some great information about this shot. He states that this is a view looking south in the now built over Diggon Street, towards the offset junction with Aylward Street and Senrab Street in Stepney Green, London E1 0QW. He also mentions that the cranes didn’t exist and were added to suggest proximity to the docks.

Phil Evans grabbed a decent ‘now’ shot of the background Senrab Street taken from the corner of Aylward Street, doing a good job dealing with the foliage and vehicles.

Some of the senior officers meet at an officers club. Piccadilly Circus, London.

A somewhat unsatisfying shot from ground level. SJ

Now in command of a new ship, Captain Ericson is having a bit of difficulty mentally processing the events of the previous vessel. Mark Jenkinson provides the location as Portland Harbour, Dorset and points out that the background appears, similarly Capture 10, in 'The Bulldog Breed'. (RL)