In the years following the First World War, the livelihood of the boatmen Beth Dawson has grown up among is threatened, and the workers union, led by Anthony Wesley, is stirring up trouble. Abigail Gatehouse, daughter of the carrying companys owner, is also determined to be a part of the drama. The two young women, both enamoured of glamorous Anthony Wesley, are soon caught up in events that are fast spiralling out of control.