Tom Merriam (Russell Wade), a young merchant marine officer, joins the crew of the ship ''Altair.'' At first, all seems well and Merriam bonds with the captain, Will Stone (Richard Dix (actor)). The ship, already shorthanded due to the death of a crew member before it left port, almost loses another ("the Greek") when he develops appendicitis. (Taking direction over the ship's radio, the captain is to perform the appendectomy, but he is unable to make the incision. Instead, Merriam successfully removes the sailor's appendix, but – feeling he should be loyal to the captain and spare him embarrassment – swears the radio operator to secrecy. Afterward, the captain has a self-serving explanation for his failure.)