Jonathan Harris' movie debut.
According to his biography, Alan Ladd summed up his role in "Botany Bay" as follows: "I'm a hell of a hero in this picture. I kill nine guys and duel and talk and talk and talk and make love all over the place. Don't miss me. I'm very big."
May be the only movie in which the leading man, Alan Ladd, is subjected to that naval punishment known as keelhauling - being dragged under the ship's keel from a rope that looped beneath the vessel, which could end up in dismemberment or death by drowning.
The figurehead on the prow of the ship is a full body and face cast of Jan Sterling.