Barnacle Bill

Lazy fisherman Bill Johansen returns to San Pedro harbor with a sinking boat, drawing Pop Cavendish's ire and Marge's frustration. Pop tries to have the vessel attached for unpaid debts, but Bill has cunningly titled the boat in his daughter Virginia's name to dodge repossession. The scene sets up a harsh economic backdrop for the local fishermen.

Reefer ship-owner John Kelly uses monopoly power to pressure fishermen into selling at below-market prices. Virginia and Marge urge Bill to stand up to Kelly, but Bill dreams of swordfishing with Pico instead. This tension establishes the central conflict with Kelly.

Virginia, now twelve, is brought to Bill by Aunt Letty and asks to stay, though Letty questions Bill's fitness as a father. Bill, anxious about responsibility, convinces Marge to let Virginia live ashore. This marks a turning point in his relationship with Virginia.

To reform Bill, Marge and Virginia begin attending church and trying calmer routines. Bill arrives drunk for supper, undermining their effort and exposing his stubborn streak. Virginia's influence highlights the possibility of change.

Virginia recounts the death of her maternal grandfather, a Gloucester schooner captain, which deepens Bill's own dream of captaining the We're Here. She gives him Gramps' captain's telescope as a tangible symbol of that dream. Bill vows to pursue it more seriously.

Bill and Pico take a job on a tuna boat to earn money toward the dream. Virginia and Marge repair Bill's rundown boat ashore, showing the power of their reform efforts. He returns to find the boat improved, a sign of progress.

Back on land, Bill discovers Kelly cheats on catch weigh-ins and pays fishermen less. He confronts Kelly's henchman and contemplates taking a bribe to keep quiet. Watching Virginia rally the other fishermen to witness his stand, Bill rejects the bribe and hurls the henchman into the harbor.

Kelly sabotages the We're Here by sneaking aboard with his gang while Bill celebrates. Virginia and Pop intervene, foiling the attempted scuttling. The threat reinforces Bill's need to prove himself to the fishermen.

With the We're Here up for auction, Bill makes the top bid, paying with his fishing money as a deposit. He then has ten days to raise the remaining balance. The auction becomes a test of his resolve to keep the promise to the fishermen.

Bill plans a South Seas voyage and hints at marriage to Marge to secure funds. Other fishermen propose converting the We're Here into a reefer and financing the plan. Bill pretends to accept the reefer plan while using it to pressure Kelly for cash for trading goods.

Virginia discovers the scheme and calls Aunt Letty to take her home. Marge arrives to collect Virginia's clothes, and Bill returns Gramps' telescope as a sign of contrition. Emotions run high as Bill's conscience regains a footing.

Pop, now an investor, boards the ship and Marge hides as cook to keep Bill honest. Bill sails back to the fishing grounds with his new, more cautious approach. Before departure, he returns the bribe money to Kelly.

Kelly again tries to intimidate the fishermen and sneaks aboard to scuttle the ship. Pop and Bill's makeshift crew discover the intruders and force them to work. A violent storm tests the crew as they weather the danger.

Virginia waits at San Pedro with the telescope, the symbol of the dream fulfilled. Bill and a bashful Marge finally wed, sealing a new beginning for the crew.