Law of the Sea

In 1912, Captain Len Andrew's ship founders during a storm at sea, and he, his wife Jane, son Cole and shipmate, Bill, barely escape in a lifeboat. They are rescued by a schooner commanded by Marty Drake, who picks them up so he can satisfy his lust with Jane. Jane senses his intentions and retires early, but he follows her to the cabin and forces himself on her. Her cries are heard, and Len and Bill fight with three sailors in order to come to her aid. Bill is shot and killed, and Drake brutally beats and blinds Len, then throws him into a lifeboat still tied to the ship. When Drake returns to the cabin, he finds that Jane has committed suicide and sets Len and Cole adrift. By 1932, Cole has overcome his fear of the ocean and is a highly decorated fireman for the Harbor Fire Patrol. He is engaged to his next-door neighbor, Betty Merton, of whom his father highly approves. One night during a Harbor Fire Patrol costume party, Cole hears that he is to be awarded a medal for rescuing some people and goes to Betty's apartment to retrieve his dress uniform, even though he is on duty. Estelle, Betty's cousin from New York, is there and seduces Cole. While Cole is with Estelle, a fire breaks out on a passenger ship and the firemen are called to duty. One of the passengers rescued is Marty Drake, and he immediately flirts with Betty, who is helping out. Len is also there and upon hearing Drake laugh, becomes overwhelmed by a desire for revenge against his former enemy, even though he is unaware that Drake is actually there. Cole is sorely missed and is reprimanded by Captain Taylor for his absence. Estelle confirms Betty's suspicions about her one-night affair with Cole, and Betty vows never to see Cole again. Cole is sincerely remorseful, but matters worsen when Drake is appointed his new commander and immediately fires him for his recent transgression. Estelle tries to right her wrong by warning Drake to stay away from Betty, and by refusing Cole's proposal of marriage and warning him about Drake's intentions for Betty. One night Drake returns home with Betty after a date, and Estelle, whom Betty ordered to leave but will not go, tries to protect her by staying in the room. Betty insists that she is being intrusive, so Estelle goes next door to warn Cole. Len overhears Drake's evil laugh through the wall and flies into a rage, telling Cole he is now sure of the man's identity. Drake begins to force himself on Betty until Cole bursts in and fights with him. Drake overcomes him and hurls him into another room. Then Len arrives, and after Estelle turns out the lights on his instruction, he fights with Drake on his own terms, eventually killing him. Having finally avenged himself, Len feels at ease, and Betty and Cole reunite.