Fisherman Stephen Hardy has loved Bess Halcomb since she was a child, so when her father dies he feels it his duty to look after Captain Halcomb's family. Returning home from a long voyage, Stephen learns that his brother Tom has seduced Bess in his absence. Then, after forcing Tom to marry Bess, Stephen buys a boat, called the Trenton, and sails away. Some time later, while anchored in New York harbor, Stephen sees a young woman jump into the water and rescues her. She relates a story of betrayed love similar to his own experience, and he is drawn to her, providing her refuge aboard the Trenton. When the Trenton takes on a load of explosives, Stephen insists that the girl go ashore. Before the boat sails, however, Stephen is confronted by Tom, who has left Bess and, Stephen discovers, is also the betrayer of the girl. In the ensuing fight between the brothers, a lamp is overturned and the vessel catches fire.