Una Carteret is an independent tomboy who loves shrimping and lobster-pots. When storms arise the fisher folk of the town collect at the beach to plunder pieces of the wrecked ships. Una is enraged by this injustice but fighting against it proves very dangerous. Many people are drifting in this small village and Jesus Christ is seen as a Lifeboat. Una said: "I know what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for me. This little boat I am standing in is a very poor type of what He is able to do for you. You are making shipwrecks of your souls, and He is the Lifeboat of the world. I found no real joy or peace till I stepped in."