[1] The advertising phrase used for the movie was "Wallace and Noah Beery, The Two Greatest Character Actors on the American Screen."

[3] As described in a film magazine,[4] William McCabe (Wallace Beery) is a bitter man seeking solitude in which to forget the wife whom he loved and who betrayed him.

The two become friends and when the rescued man, Shark Moran (Noah Beery), learns that William wants solitude, he suggests that he take a job on a lightship as he is its captain.

One day a small boat occupied by a young woman is sighted drifting near the lightship, and the captain goes out to give help.

However, this assumption is without grounds and his spurned advances lead to a fight between Shark Moran and William, who is shocked to see the woman is Hedda (Pretty), the wife who deserted him.