Someone's having a dockside celebration.
Oh, no, if there was a party, I would have been invited.
FFrank
Perhaps they don't need a long-necked highbrow. (he and Eddie laugh)
Very droll. They certainly won't want lowlifes like you there. I say, what's that?
Emergency! Emergency! Get them tied off and follow on, Top Hat! Might need all hands!
[VHS version] Yeah, follow on, Top Hat! Fire at the old dock!
[TV version] Yeah, Top Hat, follow on! Fire at the old dock!
I'd love to join you, but these two are in a right state!
Always our fault, eh, Frank?
FFrank
Never 'is, eh, Eddie?
He could take us along. D'like to see a fire.
The only fire you're going to see -- I can tell you this for a fact -- is the one I will set under your tracks if you DON'T GET A MOVE ON!
BFBoth Frank and Eddie
(Sarcastically) Ooooohhh!
The Aft hold has blown, now the fire will really spread.
Cor! They were really big explosions!?
There's more to come yet! Just you wait, she was nearly fully loaded before that Naval twit arrived. What's on board'll rip her apart.
Isn't there anything we can do?
Like what, dummy? Anyway, you've done your bit. Just sit back and watch.
But it's spreading! And that means Puffa, the dockside will go up!
You're right Ten Cents. Come on everyone, shout and warn Puffa!
(The tugs shouts to Puffa to go on and he does just missing an explosion, however as Puffa makes it out, a small warehouse explodes)
(the fire hits the Star Line petrol barge and catches fire)
That's all we needed! The petrol's caught fire!
And that tank's fully loaded! I must try and get it out to sea!
Don't do it, stay back! If that blows, it'll take you with it!
That!
(Warrior, while distracted, accidentally causes Lord Stinker to hit the dockside.)
It's -- ouch! Be careful! It's a red sky. "Red sky at night: sailors' delight.".
The sun went down ages ago. And that's north, not west!
(A slight pause.)
BWBoth Warrior and Lord Stinker
FIRE!
Just in time, Warrior! Use your fire hose on that barge and the oil yard, quick!
Yes, sir! Right away, sir! I'll do me' best, sir!
There's two things wrong with that order, mister. Warrior don't move fast. His lights may be on but there's no one there.
At least he's in there, Zorran.
Hey, the building's on fire now! Oh, I can't seem to stop it! It's- Oh!
(the building explodes)
Just keep flaming water on it Sunshine! Stop the spread! Stop the spread!
(the oil tanks then starts exploding)
Warrior, get out of there! It's going to blow!
I can control it, sir! Don't worry!
(he spectates the explosions with surprise.)
Wow!
(One explosion sends a piece of debris into Warrior's face!)
Ooh! That bit hit me!
Move back Warrior! Move back!
No sir, I've gotta look after Puffa. He's a mighty valuable and good friend. Got to look after you're friends you know.
Okay, Warrior. Here Zorran, give me a hand with this fire barge. We got to try and save that tramper.
Huh. Can't see this barge doing much good mister. Ha. But, you're in charge.
Go on Zorran. Show them who's a real hero.
This is getting too dangerous. (coughing) The tank's blistering badly. Oh no, it's starting to smoke! It's gonna go any second! I gotta get out of here!
(But as he merely starts to back away, the petrol barge explodes.)
(hears the explosion and starts worrying.) Ten Cents! It's Ten Cents! The oil-barge! I must--!
Stay put, Sunshine! You're needed here.
(The dockyard fire has gone down, successfully contained, but Kraka-Toa has been completely destroyed by her payload. Her hull and decks obliterated, she capsizes with a last, dull blast from her smokestack.)
Phew… just look at the state of the dockside!
Yeah, but that's nothing compared with what could have happened. If Sunshine and Warrior hadn't contained the fire, it could've easily spread to the city. Well done, all of ya'.
(is now on the scene, just seconds late to contribute.) Oh, dear. Seems I'm too late to save the day. What a pity!
Heh. Well, well, well! Get a drift of that, will you, lads?! Top Hat, all dressed up and nowhere to go! (He laughs mockingly, alongside Zak and Zebedee.)
(Morning. Ten Cents hasn't returned from pushing his flaming petrol barge out to sea to prevent it exploding in the harbour.)
Ten Cents should have been back by now…
We must all salute a very brave tug, who saved us fr-…
(A familiar tugboat's horn is heard.)
Hey, I know that whistle! It's--! IT'S TEN CENTS!
(Ten Cents emerges from the morning fog, being pulled by Grampus. He is covered in ash, and is battered, but alive.)
Ten Cents, what a mess! What happened?
Well, just as I started reversing, it blew to smithereens! Nearly took me with it. Lights went out, water in me engine… didn't know if I could make it back. But thanks to Grampus, I did.
Hey, you're the luckiest tug around, lad!
And probably the bravest, too!
Well, I've been used for a few strange jobs before; but never have I brought in a switcher, and taken away… a twitcher! (He tows Bluenose away while laughing.)
[Outro, VHS version] The accident was caused by a few hasty words and bad temper. Orders may be orders but they don't supersede common sense. Bluenose was right in his way, as were Ten Cents and O.J. right in theirs, but common sense from all three would have prevented the fire starting. Always respect fire. If you don't, it will destroy you, your surroundings and your friends.
[Outro, TV version] That all happened because of a few hasty words and bad tempers. Orders may be orders, but they blinded Bluenose from using simple common sense, and from keeping level-headed. So, a tiny incident grew into a big disaster, and the old dock was left in ruins. We should have the greatest respect for fire. Just think what might have happened to Ten Cents and his friends, just because Bluenose didn't.
[narrating] It was the year of the big heatwave. Old sailors like me'll never forget it. Many incoming ships had sickness aboard and flew the yellow flag to show they needed medical examination for possible infectious disease. Now if this proved correct, they had to stay at anchor out of port and fly the chequered flag showing they were in quarantine for 40 days, and warning all shipping to stay clear. By 6:30 this morning it was already feeling hot, and tempers were getting short.
Ugh, if the sun gets any stronger today, my varnish will bubble for certain!
It's the longest heatwave I can remember.
And You go back to the Ice Age, O.J, by the sound of your engine.
Sorry, Cap'n. We've been at the water docks.
You know the scrap yard dealers are looking for useless tugs, don't you? Now, next time you're late; I'll ask them what they offer for a couple of switchers. Understand?!
Ten Cents, O.J's engine's playing up. He's at the fire station picking up your barge.
Now if he's alright, join the others waiting for schooners and trampers getting clearance from quarantine.
One for you, Sunshine: Bring in the tramper, Nantucket.
No wisecracks, just get moving!
He wouldn't really sell us for scrap, would he…?
Ten Cents Not unless we were late every day. I hope not, anyway…
Aw no, Ten Cents, what happened?
Well, don't gawp! Go and get the emergency services, fast as you can!
[narrating] Burke and Blair had a second go at me. Hah, they never give up.
About O.J….. That ancient engine of his is finished and so is he. Isn't he, Mr. Burke?
We don't sit around our breakers' yard watching our staff turn old boats into scrap. do we, Mr. Blair?
Always on the lookout for who's next to go. That's our business, and O.J.'s top of our list…
Oh, good. Here comes the Coast Guard.
If you're waiting for clearance on the schooners, forget it. They're quarantined!
Suspected microbonic plague aboard. Sorry, fellas.
Captain Star will be pleased, I don't think.
To think how I flogged my engine to get here fast.
And all for no purpose, it turns out.
Well, I think I'll go take a look-see anyway.
You're not going back then?
Err, Zug maybe. I'll mosey around here, see if there's a breeze out in the estuary.
Don't you need me, Zorran?
He's up to something. I'd like to know what. You know, I never trusted that Zorran.
Top Hat Ah, but… Sunshine's gone out to bring in a tramper.
Ah, Zorran will know about it for sure.
He wouldn't try and take it off him, would he?
Well, of course the villain would. Who'd see him do it out there?
Right then! Ten Cents, you and I'll go see fair play.
Oh dear, I don't know…. I do believe they see themselves as Sir Francis Drake.
