 The DuPont Company, maker of better things for better living through chemistry, presents the Cavalcade of America, starring Mickey Rooney. Good evening, this is Mickey Rooney. Tonight's Cavalcade is called South of Cape Horn. When you hear it, keep in mind that it happened 130 years ago. It's a true sea story with a surprise ending. A deep sea yarn about superstitious sailors and ghost ships. The time of our play, 1820. Place a home in Stonington, Connecticut. Well, there you have it, Mr. Palmer and Mrs. Palmer. I'm taking a fleet of egg vessels down after seal. That's good, Captain. Yes. Your son, Nat, served me well last year, is made in the Hercilia. And I think he's ready for command. Well, fine, Captain, fine. Then you're giving him the command of the Hercilia. That's good. No, not exactly, Mr. Palmer. I want him to take out the sloop hero. What? The hero? Yes. Why, man, you can't mean what you're saying. Oh, now, Mr. Palmer, I'm telling you. They were talking about me, Nat Palmer, and I knew it. Maybe I shouldn't have listened outside the door, but I wanted that little sloop. I wanted her very much. So I listened to my father and Captain Pendleton and my mother's neat parlor. Oh, no, I know the boat's on the small side, Mr. Palmer. On the small side. But you see, we need a fast, shallow-draft boat for scout service, and we'll be searching out new seal islands. Small, is she? Well, she's no bigger than a pumpkin seed and a high wind. I'm a shipbuilder, sir, and I say to be murdered and send my son 9,000 miles south in that sloped jar. Be quiet, mercy. One foot freeboard she has. One foot. All right, for Long Island sound, maybe. Now, Nathan, you don't get all worked up. I'm sure Captain Pendleton knows what he's about. Well, thank you, ma'am. Mrs. Palmer, do you mean to say that you want your son and mine to go hooting off to the south pole in a leaky old cockle shell? No, of course I don't. But I'm sure Nat's got his mind set on it, and he's just as stubborn as his father. Besides, it isn't every Stonington boy gets to be a captain at 20. Well, all right. All right, then, we'll leave it up to the boy. Oh, fine. After all, he is a Connecticut Palmer. If anybody can do it, he can. Good. And speak of the devil. Evening, folks. Well, hello, ma'am. Come here. You know what this is about? Yes, sir, I do. You think you can take the sloop hero to the seal islands and back? You know the boat boy? I know her, sir. She's tricky to handle, but there's no vessel bigger than a skiff. I can't take anywhere on earth and back. When do we start, Captain? And so the Stonington expedition set out for the seal-rich islands of the deep south Atlantic. There were five brigs and two schooners, and then me and the little hero like Terrier at the heels of seven great Danes. Off Block Island on August 1st, 1820, I took my departure and set my course. We had a crew of four on the hero. Phineas Wilcox's mate. What's the course, Captain? It's all east by east, Finn. All east by east, sir. Good. Well, let the Irishman take the wheel. Hey there, O'Toole. Hi, sir. Take the helm, O'Toole. Jump to it. Yes, sir. Very good, sir. How am I doing, Finn? Are you clear, Ned? You sound like you were born to be a sea captain. Maybe I was, Finn. Maybe I was. And a month later, I rode in my log, September 1st, 1820, off the Brazils, having passed the comms of Capricorn, set course to reach southward inside the Falkland Islands, followed for the past three days by a shark and many petrels. During O'Toole's watch at the helm, ordered Phineas to kill shark with a rifle. Oh, the good Lord's Saviour shift killed the stormy petrel instead of the shark. Yeah, ward off it. Look out, I'll try again. Ward off it? Have you never heard what happens to the man who harmed St. Petersburg? Here, here, now, here's the captain. Ask him young as he is. He knows. Hey, uh, what do I know, Mike? That is most grievous bad luck for to kill a petrel, so it is. Bad luck, is it? Bad luck for the shark, maybe. Let me, let me have that gun, Finn. Uh, here. And yonder's the shark again. Look. Got him first try. That look like bad luck, O'Toole? Maybe no, maybe yes. But there's one thing you're not be denying, sir. This time of year, and south of Bucoe, then their birds mean heavy weather. October 1st, 1820. In latitude of Cape Horn of log nearly 9,000 miles from Point of Departure, heavy seas, sleet, rain, fog, frozen rigging. Three days without sleep, even O'Toole is too done in to tell his ghost tales. What Mike had said about the stormy petrel worried me, for if anyone needed luck, we did. So one moonlight night beyond the great storm, all of us taken our ease on deck while one of the boys made homesick music on his harmonica. Yes, sir? About that petrel we killed, do you think? I think nothing of it, sir, it's his past and gone. Listen now to the lovely music, and how it talks. Ah, but, but, but Mike, but Mike, you were, you were right about the weather. Maybe you're right about bad luck. Tell me, tell me what is the story? All right, since she insists then, I'll tell you. When a man is lost at sea, one of them same little gray birds it is that bears off his soul to the throne of grace itself. But, but, mind you, if the man has killed such a bird, there's none left to honor his poor lost spirit. And so he must wander up and down and across all the seven seas in a ship full of ghosts like the like of himself until the judgment day. Oh, it is most grievous bad luck for to kill a petrel. So it is, so it is. November 12th, 1820, reach rendezvous at Ragged Island. Only a day behind Schooner Express, last of the fleet. Reported to Campton Pendleton. Well, well, boy, you don't know how glad I am to see you. I promised your parents. Yes, I, I know. Maybe father was right. You're not discouraged, boy. No, but don't you think, sir, you'd better stop calling me boy? You've done a man's work, eh? Yes, I can see you have. All right, Captain Palmer, there's more such work to be done. Yes, sir. I have disappointing news, Captain. The Britishers that was here last year, the Santo, well, she must have spread the good word. There's been a fleet in the islands before us, and we're gonna have to scurry for seals. Now, I want you to take the hero out again and search for new seal beaches. And the course, sir. Due south, Captain Palmer. Due south. Latitude fin is 68 degrees south. I, I want you to remember that no ship bigger little has ever sailed this far south before, at least wise if they did, they never got back to say so. I want you to remember just in case you get back to Pendleton and I don't, you understand? Yeah. You figure one of us might, one of us might not get back, yes. Don't want to scare you any fin, but in a bad spot. Now, when did we first sight land to the south? Ten days ago, Ned. No seals. No seals at all? No seals on the beaches. But plenty of land. We've followed this coast and I've charted it accurate for 300 miles. If, if it's an island fin, it's mighty big island. With no seals, nearly a cub. The seals may not be so important later on. That's why I want you to remember the figures. Maybe this is bigger than seals and the money they bring. I don't know. Well, all I know is we've been become now for three days. It's about time we, we caught a trace of breeze. Old tool says that we're gonna... There are no tools a good man, but, but he imagines things. All right, now he's up on... Oh, I imagine things, do I? Begging your pardon, sir, but do I imagine that we've been rolling here in the fog for three whole days? Look it out, do I try? Do I imagine that I can't see my hand before my face for the great thick fog at all? That, uh, vision that. Do you hear what I hear? It's music. But what kind of music? Never heard anything like it. You'd be saying I was imagining things if I said it was the music of ghosts and them making merry over dead man's bones. Do I imagine that music, Captain? It stopped. Mike, we, we must have imagined it. No ship's keel has cut these waters since time began and I'll, I'll not be frightened of a tinkle in the fog. Mr. Wilcox! Yes, sir? It's time to change the watch. Will you strike eight bells, Mr. Schoenert? Gosh. Do you hear that now? A ghost ship. That's what it is. A ghost ship out there, waiting, waiting for us. You are listening to South of Cape Horn starring Mickey Rooney on the Cavalcade of America sponsored by the DuPont Company, makers of Better Things for Better Living through Chemistry. Among DuPont's Better Things for Better Living through Chemistry is nylon. Today, most of us take pretty much for granted such better things as nylon hosiery and more recently the increasing use of nylon in lingerie, blouses and other items of clothing and yet when nylon first appeared in 1939 to compete with natural fibers it would have failed if it hadn't given you some extra value for your money. Every new product, whether developed by DuPont or another manufacturer, must prove that it can serve you better than something you've had before. Serving you is the purpose of DuPont's Better Things for Better Living through Chemistry. 130 years ago, Nat Palmer took a tiny sailboat only 47 feet in length into the uncharted waters of the Antarctic and this is his story. So there we were, six months, 9,000 sea miles south of home becalmed and fog bound off an unknown coast. All through the night the ship's bell aboard the hero found its echo out in that freezing smother of fog. No other ship could be there, I knew it, we all knew it. Yet the six bells in the first gray light is done. There it goes again. My lordy Nat, do you think O'Toole could be right? Is it a ghost ship? Nat, what are we going to do? Wait, that's all we can do. Hold on, is that a bit of a freeze? It is that, and that's just what we need. Rows out at the Menfin, we'll get underway at last. And look, the fog's clearing a bit. I can see it is. Call the man. And be live about it. Ready to make sail, Nat. Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. Look. Look off the starboard bow. There. There's your ghost. It's a frigate. A man of war. Look at them guns. Not very tidy for a naval craft. Patch sails, slack sheets, paint peeling off of it. That is the fly in Dutchman itself. Lord, save us all. Why did I ever leave body cornered? Belay that couple, O'Toole. She's solid enough. And she's swarming with men. Never saw the likes of those uniforms, though. Spirits, they are poor lost souls. Quiet, quiet, will you, quiet. Running up a flag. Flag of the doomed polite. Whatever flag it is, I've never seen it before. Now they're lowering a boat. We're about to receive visitors. Look, Nat. There's a fair breeze now. We could be off now to here in two shakes. Come on, Nat. Give the order. We could get away. They didn't blow us out of the water first, but I've got a notion to see this through. I want to find out what it's all about. Nelson, bring my pistols from the cabin, the rifles from the locker, aft here's the key. Hurry, will you, man? I, I should. Little good guns will do against dead men. And them walking their corpses around at the light of the morning, bold as you please. Mike! Mike, if I didn't know you for a brave man, I'd clap you in irons. We'll have no more ghost talk, Mike. No, sir. I, I mean, yes, sir. Here comes the boy. Look at that officer in the stern sheets. Dressed up like a Christmas tree, all over middles. No, me. Down it can talk. What's he saying? I don't know, don't know. I've never heard that lingual before. I reckon he wants to know who we are. He thinks we're ghosts, maybe. Yes, that's it for him. The Slope Hero, Stonington, Connecticut, the Sanyo Palmer Commanding. Give him a hand over the rail, will you, Otto? Me? Me, sir? I said help him over the rail and jump to it, man. Sorry, Mr. Kent, I understand the word you say. Do you, uh, do you maybe, uh, speak English? He's pointing to the frigate. They want us to join the other ghosts over yonder. Very good, Mr. We, we, we come. You understand, we, we come with you. You ain't going over there, are you? Sure thing, and so you'll bring along that log, Finn. I have a feeling we'll need it. And keep that pistol where you can reach it quick. Now, come along. Slope is this lie I've ever seen, Ed. Where you suppose they're taking us? The cabin, I guess. Can I get a hold of that gun? Sure. In here? Then, then do you see what I see? My gosh, Ned, they must be ghosts. No human being would ever dress up like that. There's the high priest. Now, quiet, quiet, quiet, Finn. Welcome, gentlemen. Welcome. You, uh, you speak English? But certainly I've spent many years in London. Allow me to present myself. I am Captain Fadi Fadjevic from Balling's House and commanding the frigate Vostok in the service of his Imperial Majesty, Alexander I Tsar of all the rushes. And you, sir? Captain Nathaniel Palmer commanding the Slope Hero out of Stonington, Connecticut, USA, in search of seal. Captain Palmer, do you mean to tell me you have journeyed this far south in that little shallop out there? No bigger than the Vostok's launch? Yes, sir. We sail from Stonington in August 1820. Six months ago. Miraculous. If you will pardon me, boy. How old are you? Twenty-one, sir. Last August 8th. Wonderful, wonderful. May I present my offices? Lieutenant Pavlov. Lieutenant Rimsky. Lieutenant Parfen. Lieutenant Rimsky. Ensign Sumerov. Lieutenant Sumerov. And your escort, Ensign Kirillo. Very happy to know you gentlemen. This is my mate, Phineas Wilcox, also of Stonington. Very late. Gosh, I sure am glad to know you. Bloody, I sure am. I thought you were spirit. My men thought your vessel was a go ship, sir, earlier this morning. Well, ours is a mission of exploration, my boy. We seek new lands for his Imperial Majesty here in the Antarctic. And three days ago, we thought we saw islands ahead. That would be the South Shetland Seal Islands. If you wish to visit any of them, it will afford me great pleasure to be your pilot, sir. But, sir, no island has ever been charted in that position. How could... We found them, sir, last year in the Sealya Brick. Put them at your boy. We have been sailing triangular courses south of 60 degrees for a year all through these waters. And we saw no islands, no land at all in that long time. If it's land you're looking for, Captain, there's a mighty big chunk of it just south of here. I... I mapped 300 miles of coastline before the fog set in. Never did see the end of it. Captain Palmer, may I please examine your charts and your logs, sir? I certainly... I brought them along. Had a hunch somebody might want to have a look. Pen? Here you are, Ned. Thank you. Captain, you'll find the new coastal charts in the back, I believe. Thank you, Captain Palmer. I shall ask this steward to bring in tea and vodka. Pablo, Parfum, the rest of you take a look at this. All right, Finn. You can let go of that pistol now. Well, my fingers have sort of grown around it, Ned. See, what is this vodka? Like rum only, strongly. You'll like it. Not for breakfast, I want. I'm hungry. Captain Palmer, sir. Yes, sir? If this map is accurate, and I can see that you are a... a meticulous workman, sir, you will soon be a famous man. And I must report to my imperial master that my mission has failed. Oh, sir, I... I didn't realize... Captain, what is your greatest ambition, your fondest hope? To build fine ships or far faster ships than anyone else has ever built before. I am certain you will accomplish that aim, too, in time. But destiny has touched you early, boy. So very early. I'm afraid I don't understand you, sir. Captain, for two centuries, geographers have believed in the existence of a South Polar landmass. I have been one who so believed. And I have devoted my life to exploration, dreaming. Dreaming that I might one day find this long-imagined land. That was my secret mission, and my heart's desire. You have been my anticipator, Captain Palmer. Well, Captain, I... I guess I'm sorry. I... Oh, Ivan, you're just in time. Take each of you a glass, gentlemen. I shall give you a toast. Captain Palmer, Christopher Columbus had his predecessors, his anticipators, and all their names have been lost to history. We do not know for certain the identities of the original great discoverers. But you, you, my boy, will be alone in your fame. Gentlemen, charge your glasses. I give you, Captain Nathaniel Palmer, discoverer of the Antarctic continent and the first continent finder whose name will be known to all the world. Drink. Thank you, Captain. Great jumping. And that is how a continent was found. The Russian captain was right. This continent finder's name is known to all the world. Today, that part of the Antarctic continent he found is known as Palmer's land. And the Russian captain was right on another point, too. 23 years after the cruise of the hero in 1844 at Brown and Bell Shipyard in New York City, there was launched a beautiful ship, one of the loveliest objects ever fashioned for utility by the hand and brain of man. She was called the Hukwa, one of the first clipper ships launched upon the Seven Seas. And she was designed by Captain Nathaniel Brown Palmer of Stonington in Connecticut. Our star Mickey Rooney will return in just a moment. Now, here's Bill Hamilton with a timely tip for Christmas. Under your tree on Christmas morning, there'll be exciting packages of all shapes and sizes. And they'll be even more exciting if they're wrapped in sparkling cellophane in rich holiday colors to glorify them with a Cinderella look. Cellophane, one of DuPont's better things for better living through chemistry, has done much to brighten our American holiday season. For more attractive gift wrappings, all you need are colored sheets, tape, and ribbon, all made of glistening cellophane. And if you want to add an extra flair to your packages, that's easy, too. For example, you can make pom poms with a handful of colored cellophane drinking straws. Just tie a string around the middle, pull tight, and watch the shimmering straws fan out into a smart decorative effect. And of course, you can buy all kinds of cellophane decorations for your home and your Christmas tree, wreaths, bells, garlands, streamers, even cellophane snow. Many of them are made of a special flame-resistant cellophane. When the DuPont company first began manufacturing cellophane in the United States in 1924, there was only one type. But DuPont believed people would like this new chemically made film. And that they would need different kinds of cellophane to meet different problems. Groups of scientists have been working together since combining their talents to find new types for new uses. And today, there are more than 50 different types of cellophane used in more than 5,000 different ways. One of these is for holiday decorations. Our Christmases are brighter and more colorful because of cellophane. One of the DuPont company's better things for better living through chemistry. Our star, Mickey Rooney. Without my oil, skins, and rubber boots, and I don't need to sextant or chronometer to tell you that it's later than you think, there are only 10 more shopping days till Christmas. While you're shopping, think about the people in Europe, will you? If you haven't the time because you still have to get something for Aunt Emmy or Uncle Bill, let Care Shop for you. The folks in Europe should be remembered too. All you have to do is send as little as 550 to C-A-R-E, Care, New York. Thank you and good night. Next week at Cavalcade Time, the DuPont chorus of 127 men and women will again bring you a big package of Christmas cheer. Beautiful Christmas Carol. Some old and familiar ones, and some that perhaps you've never heard before. We promise you, you'll enjoy this program. Please be with us. Cavalcade is directed by John Zoller. The music composed by Arden Cornwell, conducted by Donald Borey. Tonight's story, South of Cape Horn, was written by George Spockner, based on a portion of the book Clippership Men by Alexander Lane, published by Jules Sloan and Pierce. Featured in the cast were Parker Fenley as Phineas, Arnold Moss as Ballinghausen, and Ian Martin as O'Toole. Mickey Rooney appeared through arrangement with Metro Golden Mayor, and can currently be seen in The Big Wheel, a Popkin Stifle Dempsey production released through United Artists. Photographed by Ernest Laszloh as S.C. on DuPont Motion Picture Film. This is Ted Pearson speaking. Cavalcade of America comes to you from the stage at the Velasco Theater in New York, and is presented by the DuPont Company of Wilmington Delaware. Makers of better things for better living through tennis. Stay tuned for The Baby Snook Show, followed by Bob Hope on NBC.