Harbor Command "Ransom At Sea" 50s TV

Harbor Command [Music] starring Wendel Cory as Captain Ralph Baxter. [Music] [Applause] Alert at all times to enforce the laws of our maritime code. The Harbor Command is trained to combat every type of criminal. It is an organization designed to protect our harbors. These are the stories of the men who have dedicated their lives to that end. [Music] The harbor is a complex world with many secrets. On the harbor October 1st, the gray light of early morning signal the beginning of different things for different people. For this man, a routine factory pickup. For this man, a routine check on a driver from Amalgamated, a nearby shipyard. for this man, Frank Holer, a routine matter of crime. The crime of grand theft, which was set to begin at precisely the moment that truck passed through the factory gate. >> Yeah. >> Amalgamate his driver just pulled into the factory. You've got a good 30 minutes. >> It's a cinch. I'm less than a block from the freight yards. >> Cinch or not, don't waste any time and don't get hung up. If he gets back before you got away, we got trouble. Real trouble. >> Okay. If he pulls out in less than 30 minutes, find some way to delay him. I'm on my way. [Music] Pick up for amalgamated. What do you got? >> Single. Just a crate. >> Thought they went out yesterday. >> Well, here it is. >> Look, Mac, I'm in a hurry. I got another stop to make. Sure thing. >> Here we are. Amalgamated. >> Thanks. >> Bye. Hey, wait a minute. I must be slipping and I let you get away with it. Oh, what do you mean? >> Sign the lighting receipt. Uh, >> nice gift. [Music] Amalgamated, [Music] largest builder of ships on the West Coast, was the victim of the nefarious plot to disrupt one of its vital installations. Chester Lewig, Corporation President, immediately contacted the harbor command and sought the aid of >> Captain Baxter. At once, please. It's urgent. Yes, sir. Captain. >> Mr. Lewick. Amalgamated shipyards. >> Oh, hello, Mr. Lewick. How are you? >> Could be better, thanks. Captain, I'm afraid we've been the victim of a very clever theft. The >> consequences could be extremely serious. >> No, as a matter of fact, it occurred outside the premises. The transportation department discovered it. >> One of the drivers. Well, >> I'll be right over. Hold on to the driver. They had a cliff there. I'll be amalgamated. Stand by here. [Music] It's about time you showed up. >> What kept you? >> Oh, that pair was loaded with traffic. Any hitches? Well, I dlisted freighter. Would you use the time that trip to the pier with a jet? >> I used the car. You know that. I even allowed a minute for traffic. Well, you better pair that schedule of yours. A split-second operation is too rough on the nerves. >> These prices, you can afford to be a little nervous. We got one day, no more. Cops have schedules, too. Remember that. Did you camouflage a crate? >> Yeah. And you're sure it got on board? >> Look, take my word for it, will you? It's on the water. But I'm still not sure it was such a good idea. >> Well, I am. There isn't a cop alive that's going to figure we let the stuff get out of our hands. Now, what about the truck? I You know, I think that guy wrote this on the rental. I didn't take the time to argue. All right, we're ready for Decker now. >> Well, maybe they didn't hear about it yet. >> When they get Decker's call, they'll make it a point to find out. >> Well, are you sure his call can't be traced? >> Stop worrying about my department, will you? Long distance. I want to make a stationto station call. The control console is an integral part of the gyro fin ship stabilizer. A unit which controls the rolling motion of the ship. It couldn't possibly be of value to anyone who stole it. >> Some of the inside insider had plenty of information about this equipment. When it was to be delivered, how it's to be picked up, and above all, what it loss would mean to your organization. >> But our employees are carefully screened, Captain. I can't imagine anyone on the inside being guilty of such treachery. >> We'll have to investigate. Now, what did this console cost, Mr. Ly? $27,560, but that's a minor loss comparatively. >> Comparatively, >> Captain, that console is a prototype, customuilt. Without it, I can't complete the ship in time to meet the delivery date. Penalty clause will cost between 750,000 and a million dollars, depending upon when delivery can finally be made. >> Custom bill console and a penalty clause. I don't think a console was stolen, Mr. Lewing. I think it's been kidnapped. >> Kidnapped? But why? Use your reason for kidnapping money. >> You think they're holding the console for ransom? >> Has to be. Has no value to the thief other than that you need it badly. >> Yes. What do you want? >> I'm afraid I didn't get that. >> Chief special operator, please. >> Would you repeat, please? Operator, Captain Baxter, Harbor Command. Prepare to be your trace a call now being made to Sutter 93139 extension 47. >> Yes, I heard that. Would you repeat the denominations, please? How do you expect me to get that kind of money in a couple of hours? Yes. Yes, I understand. Now, let me repeat this. in order to avoid any mistakes. >> Never mind, operator. >> Did they trace it? >> No. >> You're right, Captain. They're holding the console for ransom. >> How much? >> $100,000. Old bills, unmarked, serial numbers out of sequence. I'm to charter a yacht called the Fiesta and to a go aboard at the oil pier. Then I attach the bag of money to a float I find on board. >> What's the point of contact? I don't know yet. The operator of the yacht will run a course south past the peers. I'll receive a radio telephone call when to throw the money overboard. The police are to be kept out of it. >> You get the money together and have the bank mark whatever way they see fit. I'll get their system later. I'll substitute a police officer for the operator of the yacht and install a two-way radio so we can keep touching each other. Now, you follow the instructions of the letter. I'll call you from headquarters. >> Get me Harington at Central Trust. All right, we're all set. You might as well get down to the pier. I'll make a test call to you in about 15 minutes just to be sure the phone is working. >> The day answers, hang up. >> Now, remember, we'll be in constant touch by the phone. Keep your eye on the yacht and keep me posted every inch of the way. Let me know when it's opposite the shipyard pier. The drop will take place after they pass it. >> I'm on my way. >> We'll need every facility in place at our disposal. Calls will be short, so you'll have to work fast. Thank you very much. Any call to the yacht has to go through the marine operator. The telephone company's standing by, and they'll trace any calls to the yacht and notify us here. >> Good. >> Now, we'll drive a parallel course to the yacht on the car. Oh, did you put a two-way radio on the yacht so Mr. Love can keep in touch with us? >> Yeah. I also made up a list of the peer watches. They're going to be posted at various points. >> Well, make it clear they're not to search any of the peers. We don't want to rouse suspicions. >> Mhm. And nobody's to move in after the drop. They're not uh principally interested in the money. We want to get the men and that control council. I'm sure the PB boys understand that too, >> right? >> But what' you do about the boat? Who's the operator? >> Gallagher. I took the original operator into custody, but I'm pretty sure he's clean, but I don't want to take any chances. >> I may be way out in left field, but it seemed to me that the key man in this setup have to have two telephones. One to phone the odd via the marine operator and the other one to keep in touch with his partner on an open line. >> Where would this partner be located? >> Well, someplace where he could notify the key man of the odds position, probably with the peers. >> And when the boat passed a given point, the watcher would notify the man with the two phones >> and he in turn would call Lewig and tell him to make the drop or some arrangement like that. >> Sounds plausible to me. >> Be possible to get the list of the two phone installations and sign to help us. There you are. It's a pretty big job at such short notice. >> We'll do as you can. >> Yeah, Mr. Le, please. Captain Baxter, we're ready, sir. Board the yacht the hour directed and keep in touch with us. We'll be with you all the way. Thank you very much. Goodbye, sir. [Music] Exactly 2 hours after the telephone call outlining the ransom demands, Chester Lewick boarded the Fiesta with $100,000 along with Officer Gallagher. Baxter, prepared to follow the course of the Fiesta, teamed up with Warren, who was converted into a plane closeman. Harbor Command officers stationed at various peers commanding a strategic view of the harbor maintained a steadfast vigil. All were prepared to keep Baxter posted on the progress of the Fiesta as well as on any incident of an unusual nature that might occur on a particular pier. All available police boats were alerted to move on a single command from Baxter. One officer worked feverishly in conjunction with the telephone company to ensure perfect coordination. Equipped with radio and transmitter, the Fiesta, whenever necessary, would be in constant communication with Baxter and Warren. >> 7020 to headquarters. >> Headquarters by >> We're taking off. >> 10 4 >> 10 4 Wait here a couple minutes, Jim. We want to get too far ahead of the fiesta. >> They're certainly taking their time. >> 7020 to headquarters. >> Headquarters fine. >> How's that list of suspects counting? >> Narrowing down. They're being investigated as quickly as they come in. Captain, >> I'll keep you posted. 104. >> 104. >> They don't seem overly anxious to get their hands on. >> Enjoying the trip, Lwick? >> All right, the fun's over. Go back for a fresh run. This time, no cops. >> I'm not going to warn you again. Now, get rid of that operator. >> You can handle the boat by yourself. Cute trick. >> Did you hear, Captain? >> I heard. >> Put Gallagher Sure and start again. >> No change in plans. I got a hunch. They're guessing. >> All right, Captain. We're heading back. >> Headquarters of 7020. >> 7020. >> Trace called the Fiesta. He came from a drug store at 7th in Whitney. Dispatch the car. Maybe we can get a description from the drugist. >> Concentrate on any two phone installations that turn up in the neighborhood. >> Right. >> Notify all units. This was a dry run. Going back for another start. Repeat plan. Benny 402. 104. >> 104. >> All right, Sergeant. Back to the starting gate. [Music] Yeah, >> pretty clever. How'd you know the old man tipped the cops? >> I didn't. It was a stab in the dark just in case. >> The next one's on the level, so you better get ready. >> Now, we'll keep this line open. As soon as the yacht is opposite the pier, let me know and I'll phone Lewig to make the drop. But don't leave 62 until you're sure the money's been dropped. >> Okay. >> Headquarters of 7020. >> 7020. Completing list of suspects. Eight possibilities excluding business firms. >> Check on them and be careful not to arouse suspicion. I'm counting on one of them to lead us to the others. >> Yes, Captain. Get addresses and rundowns on each of the eight. Dispatch cars to observe suspects and keep in contact with us. >> 104. >> All set. >> Have you sighted the yacht? >> Not yet. I'll give you a warning when she's opposite the shipyard there. Headquarters of 7020. >> 7020. >> The listing's reduced to four suspects. One line busy. >> Notify the cars covering those four and recall the others. Have them follow anyone who leaves the premises, especially that busy line. That may be our man. >> Right. >> No one has be stopped and picked up until one of them leads us to the others. Make a point of that. I want to nab all of them at one time. >> 10 4. >> 10 4 There she comes. >> Back to the Fiesta. >> Come in, Captain. >> Where are you now? >> I'm just passing pier 56. >> We'll follow. >> Get ready. She's passing the shipyard pier now. Yes. >> Now, Captain Baxter, I just dropped the money satchel in line with a shipyard. appear. >> You can start back now, Mr. Lwick. >> Good luck, Captain. >> 7020 to headquarters. >> Headquarters by >> Drop Maiden line with the shipyard pier. Alert all units. I'm going to search the pier. >> Yes, sir. The line that was busy before doesn't answer now. Captain, >> alert the car at that address. >> 104. [Music] Headquarters [Music] of 7141. >> 7141. >> Trace a report on the suspect's phone call led to pier 62. Follow if he attempts getaway. Suspect answering landlord's description is now leaving apartment building. We're on our way. >> 104 >> 104. One of the watchers reported that the float is drifting and a tracer report finally came through in that busy line. Pier 62. The tracer finally came through in that busy line. It's pier 62. Also, one of the watches reports that the float is drifting loose. Drifting >> loose. We must use a skin diver or a darn fast boat. Let's get the 62. Heat. Heat. [Music] Headquarters of 7020. >> 7020 to headquarters. A suspect from apartment building is heading for the airport in a taxi cab. Are you >> sure it's airport? >> Officers in the prowl car. Get that report from the cab company. Sir, >> they've left here, too. We're departing Pier 62 for the airport. Have Pier 62 sealed off immediately. >> 104. >> 104. Olzer arrived at the airport as planned, unaware that the harbor command was closing in. Holzer went directly to the ticket counter and picked up his and Peter's ticket. >> Announcing the arrival of United Airlines Red Carpet Service Flight 700 at the West Concourse. 7141 to 7020. >> 7020. >> Suspect at airport. Picked up two plane reservations. Flight 42. Departure in 7 minutes. >> Keep an eye on them, but don't pick them up. I want both of them. Be with you in a minute. >> 104. >> 104. Since Hzer had picked up two tickets, Captain Baxter knew the man who had the money must be meeting Holster to escape on the plane with him. The ticket agent confirmed the gate number of Holer's flight and its departure time. Now, all Baxter had to do was keep Holtzer in view without disclosing himself and his men. The man with the money had to show soon or he would miss the plane. As Baxter suspected, he showed. Final call for United Airlines flight 630 now departing from the West Concourse. [Music] [Music] [Music] All this gentlemen are going in the wrong direction. I think you made a mistake. Who made the mistake? Take him along. [Music] Every police department has scientific aid in criminal detection. But is the dedication to duty and the hard work of officers of departments like Harbor Command which count the most. This is Wendle Cory saying I hope you'll be with us next week when we embark on another harbor adventure. See you then. The harbor, gateway to the world. Underlying the everyday activity of the ships that come and go, there remains the danger, intrigue, and excitement of the world's largest ports, where stories of the harbor command are filmed authentically on actual local. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music]