Alan Carr is too young to be accepted by the Golden Line but the junior partner of Whatmough and Duvant, Mr. Dexter, manages to get him a job on the small coastal vessel called the Mary Rumbold.
Alan begins the voyage in Boston, Lincolnshire and travels up to Dundee and then on to Thurso. He experiences many adventures and learns the harsh lessons of life at sea.
On her last voyage to the breakers' yard the Mary Rumbold founders in a gale in the North Sea. Alan conducts himself well during the time of crisis which gains him a cadetship on the Golden Effort.