As Captain Whalley approaches what should be a restful retirement, he finds himself ensnared by unexpected circumstances and his unwavering sense of duty. A seasoned sailor and a pioneer of eastern maritime trade, he reluctantly takes on a challenging three-year contract to captain a tramp steamer. The owner? None other than the vessels engineer, a mean-spirited and gambling-addicted character. Yet, this tumultuous arrangement is just the beginning of Captain Whalleys trials on the high seas. (Summary by Peter Dann)