Chapter 24, "Maryk's Secret Log" Summary

Maryk starts a secret, hidden Medical Log of Queeg's eccentricities and oppressions. It thickens as time passes in monotonous escort duty. The Seventh Fleet command uses the Caine and other obsolete destroyer-minesweepers to escort amphibious forces around the South Pacific. Days dissolve into weeks and months. Life becomes endless watches, paper work, hot nights and days, rain squalls, logs, monthly reports, and statements to audit. Captain Queeg becomes more irritable, secluded, and strange. He incarcerates sailors, cuts off water, cuts off coffee, and cuts off movies for the entire crew for six months. He makes endless demands for written reports and investigations. Once he keeps all officers in session for 48 hours to find out which mess boy burned a Silex. He announces a 20 point cut in everybody's fitness rating as punishment for not finding out...