Charles Chinnough, aka Captain China, washed ashore off his ship during a storm, is later rescued, but is relieved of duty after his former first mate, Brendensen (who thought he was dead), and two aides testify falsely against him in a hearing concerning the loss of his ship. Seeking to clear his name, he books passage on a ship commanded by Brendensen.He and Brendensen both fall for a passenger, Kim Mitchell. Later, a raging storm at sea has the cowardly Brendensen turning the command of the ship over to Chinnough. This serves to help Chinnough clear his name.