Podcast Summary: Old Time Radio Westerns

Episode: “Twenty Fathoms Under the Sea” | Ranger Bill (05-26-54)

Host: Andrew Rhynes
Original Air Date: January 3, 2026

Overview

In this episode, host Andrew Rhynes presents a digitally restored classic “Ranger Bill” radio drama, “Twenty Fathoms Under the Sea.” The episode weaves together adventure, camaraderie, personal redemption, and the tension of a race-against-time rescue. As Ranger Bill and his team head to the coast for a fishing trip, they become unexpectedly involved in a dangerous undersea rescue when an old Navy submarine is trapped at the ocean floor, putting its crew in grave danger. Central to the story is Ben Benson, a retired salvage expert haunted by a tragic accident, who must find the courage to help save the trapped men, sparking a moving journey of second chances and overcoming fear.

Key Discussion Points & Dramatic Highlights

1. Setting the Scene: Adventure & Introduction

• Opening Dialogue: The team—Ranger Bill, Henry Scott, Gray Wolf, and Stumpy Jenkins—embark on a fishing trip, setting a camaraderie-filled and humorous tone.

  • Notable quote:

    “Yep, just a little faster than I can run at high speed. Oh, yeah?”
    — Stumpy Jenkins (02:29)

• Ben Benson’s Backstory: Bill introduces “old salvage man” Ben Benson, revealing his expertise as well as his emotional scars following his son’s tragic death during a salvage job.

  • Quote:

    “He has times when he’s very quiet, though, and he looks out to sea. I feel sorry for old Ben.”
    — Bill Jefferson (04:10)

  • The group’s banter with Ben sets up his blend of gruffness and warmth.

[05:48–06:56] Meeting Ben Benson

• Ben and Stumpy exchange playful jabs about age and maritime experience, underscoring Ben’s likability:
  • Quote:

    “Stumpy’s got quite a bit of moss on his at north side.”
    — Ben Benson (06:22)

2. Disaster Under the Sea: Submarine in Distress

• Switch to the Submarine: The narrative pivots to a Navy training submarine where a catastrophic pump failure traps the vessel and crew underwater.

  • Captain Nagel’s leadership emerges as calm and commanding amidst the growing panic.
  • Quote:

    “He who loses his head may lose his life.”
    — Captain Nagel (09:00)

• Technical Tension: The failed pumps, lack of spare parts, and the ominous potential of chlorine gas ramp up the urgency.

3. Ben’s Sixth Sense & Foreboding

• Ben grows unsettled during the fishing trip, sensing something is amiss beneath the waves.
  • Quote:

    “I just have the feeling that there’s something going on under these waters.”
    — Ben Benson (14:55)

  • Bill trusts Ben’s intuition; the group decides to cruise and look for trouble.

4. Discovery & Unfolding Crisis

• [17:05] Plane Spots Submarine Distress: Two pilots spot oil slicks and a distress float, raising the alarm.

  • Quote:

    “There’s a sub distress float down there. And there’s some debris down there, too.”
    — Red (17:28)

• The fishing party hears the news bulletin and realizes they were fishing just above the disaster.

5. Race Against Time: The Need for Salvage Expertise

• Bill’s Realization: Knowing that official Navy salvage help will not reach the submarine in time, Bill pushes to help, recognizing Ben’s unique skills are critical.
  • Quote (Bill to Commander):

    “Maybe I can help the lads trapped in the sub… You know Ben Benson? … He’s a fine old man. Used to be a great salvage engineer and sub rescue man.”
    — Bill Jefferson (21:15–21:42)

6. Personal Redemption: Ben’s Struggle & Turning Point

• Emotional Conflict: Ben initially refuses to help due to guilt over his son’s accidental death, considering himself unfit.

  • Quote:

    “How can men put confidence in a salvage man who let his own son die under the water?”
    — Ben Benson (12:43)

• Bill challenges Ben directly, combining compassion and tough love:

  • Quote:

    “There are 20 men facing certain death. Because you haven’t buried the dead, Ben Benson.”
    — Bill Jefferson (23:22)

  • Ben finally relents to help after Bill offers to risk his own life and calls out Ben's courage—or seeming lack thereof.
  • Quote:

    “Them’s harsh words, Bill. They cut pretty deep.”
    — Ben Benson (24:40)

  • Ben agrees:

    “I’ll be ready to begin rescue work in two hours.”
    — Ben Benson (25:07)

7. The Rescue Mission

• Preparation & Descent: Bill dons a diving suit under Ben’s direction, ready for dangerous underwater repair and rescue.

  • Quote (Stumpy):

    “Say hello to Davy Jones, Bill. Tell him I ain’t heard a word from him for so long that I thought he moved.”
    — Stumpy Jenkins (26:10)

• Communication and tension are high as Bill descends and connects the oxygen supply to the submarine, giving the crew the life-saving air they need.

  • Quote (Ben):

    “Be careful, Bill. If you get into trouble, holler and we’ll pull you right up.”
    — Ben Benson (25:59)

  • The crew inside the sub hears Bill working:

    “It’s the rescue diver. All right, Captain, it’s happened. We’re being rescued.”
    — Crew member (28:00)

8. Resolution & Transformation

• The trapped crew is saved, brought out one at a time (“In about five hours, we’ll have the whole crew out of the sub.” (28:44)).

• Ben acknowledges Bill’s bravery, but Bill insists it’s Ben’s knowledge and leadership that made success possible.

• Ben’s Redemption: Moved and finally unburdened, Ben is free from his guilt and fear.

  • Quote:

    “I mean I’m not afraid anymore… When I saw the top of your headpiece sink under the water, Bill, then I… I knew I would never be afraid.”
    — Ben Benson (29:20–29:28)

• Closing Moral: The narrator encapsulates the episode’s lesson about courage in the face of failure and the power of redemption.

  • Quote:

    “And so once again, we see that one last ounce of courage is all that it takes to turn defeat into victory.”
    — Bill Jefferson (29:50)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:29 | Stumpy Jenkins | “Yep, just a little faster than I can run at high speed. Oh, yeah?” | | 04:10 | Bill Jefferson | “He has times when he’s very quiet, though, and he looks out to sea. I feel sorry for old Ben.” | | 06:22 | Ben Benson | “Stumpy’s got quite a bit of moss on his at north side.” | | 09:00 | Captain Nagel | “He who loses his head may lose his life.” | | 12:43 | Ben Benson | “How can men put confidence in a salvage man who let his own son die under the water?” | | 14:55 | Ben Benson | “I just have the feeling that there’s something going on under these waters.” | | 21:15 | Bill Jefferson | “Maybe I can help the lads trapped in the sub… You know Ben Benson? … He’s a fine old man. Used to be a great salvage engineer and sub rescue man.” | | 23:22 | Bill Jefferson | “There are 20 men facing certain death. Because you haven’t buried the dead, Ben Benson.” | | 24:40 | Ben Benson | “Them’s harsh words, Bill. They cut pretty deep.” | | 25:07 | Ben Benson | “I’ll be ready to begin rescue work in two hours.” | | 26:10 | Stumpy Jenkins | “Say hello to Davy Jones, Bill. Tell him I ain’t heard a word from him for so long that I thought he moved.” | | 28:00 | Crew Member | “It’s the rescue driver. All right, Captain, it’s happened. We’re being rescued.” | | 29:20 | Ben Benson | “I mean I’m not afraid anymore.” |

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

• [02:14–03:15] Lighthearted banter between Rangers about fishing and brain food.
• [14:55] Ben’s mysterious premonition of underwater trouble sets an eerie tone.
• [23:22–25:07] Emotional standoff between Bill and Ben, culminating in Ben’s decision to help.
• [26:10–27:13] Tension as Bill prepares to enter the water, with friends’ humorous and heartfelt encouragement.
• [28:00–29:28] Rescue is successful, Ben’s fear is finally conquered.

Episode Flow & Tone

The episode masterfully combines tension, emotion, and humor. Playful exchanges lighten the drama, while moments of suspense (submarine scenes, rescue operation) build urgency. The themes of duty, redemption, and friendship come through in both dialogue and action, ultimately championing the courage to confront the past and step up in times of need.

For Listeners:

This episode is a gripping story of second chances, bravery, and community, wrapped in the golden warmth, wit, and action that define “Ranger Bill.” Even if you missed the broadcast, you’ll carry its message about the power of redemption and teamwork.