Chapter 34, "The Court-Martial - Second Day, Morning" Summary

Challee calls a scared Willie Keith to testify. Willie was officer of the deck on December 18th when Maryk relieved Queeg of command. Willie explains that the captain lost control of himself and the ship. They were in imminent danger of foundering. Challee contrasts Willie's service months in the Navy with Queeg's eight years and asks who would be better qualified to decide if a ship is foundering. Willie believes he would be, since he was thinking rationally and Queeg was not. Willie saw Queeg frozen to the wheelhouse telegraph stand. His face was green, showing his petrifying terror. His orders were sluggish, vague, and inappropriate. Willie thought the ship would sink, and Queeg's orders increased that danger. The Caine was broadside to the wind. Queeg refused to ballast...