New Bedford, the 'Whaling City' where, for generations, men have rolled the dice to harvest the sea's bounty. Storms, reefs and fickle catches have traditionally plagued the New Bedford fisherman and his whalerman forebearers, but still New Bedford men put to sea. When times are tough, desperate men will resort to desperate means to keep their boat and livelihood intact. Such is the case with Mike O'Malley. When his aged dragger falls on hard times, Mike makes a deal with a notorious waterfront gangster to help make ends meet. What follows is a tale of greed, deceit, violence, revenge and redemption on the high seas during a vicious gale.