Early in the War of 1812, Captain James Marshall (Mark Stevens) is commissioned to run the British blockade and fetch an unofficial war loan from France. As first mate, Marshall recruits Ben Waldridge (Patric Knowles), a cashiered former British Navy Captain. Waldridge brings his former gun crew, who begin plotting mutiny as soon as they learn there'll be gold on-board. The gold duly arrives, and with it, Waldridge's former sweetheart Leslie (Dame Angela Lansbury), who's fond of a bit of gold too. Which side is Waldridge really on?