Twenty Fathoms Under The Sea: Ranger Bill (May 26, 1954)

Ranger Bill, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Twenty Fathoms Under The Sea” is an episode of Ranger Bill, the old-time radio show, first broadcast May 26, 1954. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

Play Ranger Bill free: the episodes out so far, or subscribe in any podcast app.

What happens

Ranger Bill and his friends Henry Scott, Grey Wolf and Stumpy Jenkins are guests aboard the fishing launch of Ben Benson, a retired salvage man. Benson has been haunted since his son died during a salvage operation, and he has withdrawn from the work. When a navy training submarine is disabled on the sea floor and its crew begins to run short of air, the Rangers learn of the danger over the radio. Bill must persuade Benson to return to diving and help bring the trapped men to safety.

Harbor City and the open ocean, including a navy training submarine stranded about 120 feet below the surface, roughly 25 miles off the coast.

Characters: Ranger Bill, Henry Scott, Grey Wolf, Stumpy Jenkins, Ben Benson, Captain Eagle, Mr. Jones, Mr. Antonio

Listen for: Bill's conversation with Ben Benson about the death of Benson's son and whether Benson will agree to dive.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.