Story of the lives of the people in a small Quaker community and the adventures of a whaling ship.

Though Patience Morgan is sought by many suitors, her father, Charles, insists that she marry a man who is both Quaker and whaleman. Because Samuel Siggs convincingly poses as both, he is favored by Charles Morgan--despite the fact that Patience loves Allan Dexter, who is neither. Allan embraces the Quaker faith, proves himself worthy as a whaleman when he is shanghaied and tossed by stormy seas, and returns to New Bedford just as she is about to marry Siggs.—AFI