When the South Star liner Queen Adelaide sails from Tilbury bound for Australia, Captain Albert Ebbs is a happy man. After years in cargo vessels, he has finally been given command of a luxury liner, promoted from the tramp steamers he s been used to. Although he is a thoroughly competent sailor ready to take charge of such a ship, he is less prepared for the social duties the new position involves, not least the way he becomes the target for all the comely unattached women on board. To top it off, his Chief Purser is doing a roaring trade in smuggling the ship s supplies. What s a man to do?