Deep Waters

Ann Freeman breaks her engagement with Hod Stillwell, explaining that she could never bear being constantly concerned about his safety. She then asks her friend Mary McKay to take in 12-year-old orphan Donny Mitchell. This sets the stage for Donny to be raised away from the dangers of the sea while he adjusts to a new home.

Mary agrees to take in Donny and provide him a steady home. She hopes a tough but fair influence will instill discipline and help channel his longing for the sea into safer outlets. Donny begins settling into Mary’s household.

The next day, Donny bumps into Hod Stillwell during a hunt, and a wary friendship starts to form between the man and the boy. They begin to learn each other's rhythms, especially the lure and dangers of the sea. The moment foreshadows Donny's pull toward maritime life.

Hod returns from a fishing trip with his partner Portuguese Joe Sanger and discovers Donny on Hod's lobster bank, having rowed out in a dinghy to steal two lobsters. Hod gives him a stern talking-to and sends him home. This marks the first major test of Donny's boundaries.

Mary agrees Donny should help on Hod's boat on Saturdays and Donny proves quick at sea, even catching a large halibut that earns him $5.75. The experience temporarily satisfies Donny's longing for the sea. Ann, however, remains anxious about the dangers.

Witnessing the deadly risks others face at sea, Ann voices a threat to move Donny to an inland family if he continues pursuing work on Hod's boat. She believes removing him from the sea is necessary for his safety. Hod listens but is torn between duty and Donny's happiness.

Reluctantly, Hod follows Ann's warning and tells Donny he cannot work for him any longer, effectively ending their partnership. Donny feels betrayed and watches Hod's boat pull away without him. The separation deepens Donny's sense of loss and longing for the sea.

Feeling rejected, Donny runs to town, steals a camera from a drug store, and sells it to raise money to run away again. He then steals a boat and sets out to sea, determined to reclaim the life he loves. A storm soon traps him, highlighting his vulnerability.

Hod and Joe Sanger locate Donny during the treacherous storm and manage to pull him from danger. The ordeal forces everyone to confront the boy's obsession with the sea and the consequences of his actions. Donny acknowledges his mistakes and fears further punishment.

After the rescue, Ann realizes she cannot keep Donny away from the sea forever and permits him to return to Hod's boat. She hopes a structured environment will rechannel his impulses. Donny is relieved to be back near the water.

Donny goes to Hod with the news that he can go out to sea again, and Hod agrees to let him join the boat crew. The two share a sense of tentative reconciliation as Donny looks forward to returning to the ocean. Ann and Mary are also part of the circle, awaiting the next steps.

Donny runs home to tell Ann and Mary the good news only to be confronted by the Sheriff and the owner of the second-hand shop, who suspect the stolen camera and the trouble behind it. Ashamed, Donny confesses the theft and begs them not to tell Hod.

Hod questions Ann about Donny's whereabouts and discovers he has been sent to a reform school. He is determined to change Donny's fate and stop him from being labeled a failure.

Hod prompts the state to let him adopt Donny, insisting that family stability is better than any reform program. Donny initially resists the idea, feeling unworthy.

Donny eventually accepts the adoption after realizing Hod is not angry with him. He is reunited with Hod and Ann and returns home to start a new life under their care.