The Silent Service was a 1957–1958 syndicated anthology television series based on actual events in the submarine section of the United States Navy. The Silent Service was narrated by Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers, who retired from the Navy in 1949 after twenty-two years of service. He began each episode with this refrain: "Tonight, we bring you another thrilling episode of Silent Service stories, of warfare under the sea." Many of the episodes focused on the history of specific submarines, including: ⁕USS Sculpin ⁕USS Nautilus, the first atomic submarine ⁕USS Perch ⁕USS Tang ⁕USS S-38 ⁕USS Tirante ⁕USS Bergall ⁕USS Spearfish ⁕USS Triton ⁕USS Wahoo, and ⁕USS Gato, subject of the series finale. Actors appearing on The Silent Service included Russell Johnson, cast three times in the role of the character "Beach". DeForest Kelley and Leonard Nimoy appeared in two episodes each as Lieutenant Commander James Dempsey and as Sonarman, respectively. Jerry Paris and Liam Sullivan each guest starred twice. Eric Morris appeared in nineteen episodes identified only as "Soldier". Other guest stars included Joe Conley, Mike Connors, Lawrence Dobkin, Ron Hagerthy, Adam Kennedy, Robert Knapp, Paul Richards, Bing Russell, Craig Stevens, Dennis Weaver and Stuart Whitman.
Seasons and episodes
2 seasons · 78 episodes
- 1S2 E1
The Archerfish Spits Straight
Mar 7, 195830 min
Submarine Commander questions his own judgment and beaches himself in administrative duty. He returns to sea and commands another sub to sink one of the biggest warship prizes of the war.
- 2S2 E2
The Sea Devil Attacks Puget Sound
Mar 14, 195830 min
US Submarine vs US ASW group consisting of Destroyers and aircraft in a Cold War era war game. Who will win the competition?
- 3S2 E3
The Bergall's Revenge
Mar 21, 195830 min
Follows the beginning of the Bergall's third war patrol to Lombok strait. The highlight of the patrol is to use the new "cutie" torpedo to eliminate escorts that threaten US subs passing through the straits.
- 4S2 E4
The Unsuccessful Patrol
Mar 28, 195830 min
S boats were early and older US subs. S34 was sent into Kiska, Alaska after Japan invaded. She barely survived. Nothing sunk, but she survived.
- 5S2 E5
The Story of the U.S.S. Aspro
Apr 4, 195830 min
US subs provided lifeguard duty. Saving downed allied pilots. The USS Aspro did that just outside Tokyo, Japan in Aug. 1945 at great risk to all aboard.
- 6S2 E6
The Thresher Story
Apr 11, 195830 min
Torpedo test goes wrong and fired with the outer door still closed. It has to be disarmed or boom. Thresher adds a 5" gun for surface action in 42. US Torpedoes were bad at that time. The 5" gun saved the Thresher in a duel with a Jap ship.
Starring
Frequently asked questions
- Where can I watch The Silent Service?
- The Silent Service is not currently listed on a streaming service in the US. Use the country picker on the page to check other markets.
- How many seasons of The Silent Service are there?
- The Silent Service has 2 seasons and 78 episodes. Status: Ended.
- Will there be a new season of The Silent Service?
- The Silent Service has ended; no new episodes are scheduled. The final episode aired on November 28, 1958.
- Who stars in The Silent Service?
- The Silent Service stars Thomas M. Dykers, John Conwell, Martin Smith, DeForest Kelley, William Boyett.
