When a man is appointed to his first ship as captain he is nervous and concerned that the long-serving crew will resent his new presence onboard. Sending the men off for some leave during a lull in the winds, he remains onboard to contemplate his position when he discovers a man overboard climbing a rope ladder. The drifter has escaped custody from his other ship where he has been accused of murder. Believing he was wrongly accused he seeks sanctuary on this new ship and fortuitously being an old classmate of the new captain, wins his reluctant favour. He hides away in the captain's quarters and the two confide in each other and plot what they hope will be successful futures for them both.