Thunder Bay

Steve and Gambi, penniless engineers, are driven into Port Felicity by Teche. They hire a shrimp boat to scout an offshore drilling site. Stella immediately distrusts the outsiders, watching their every move with wary eyes.

The investors tour the site and approve backing the drilling plan with a one-million-dollar investment. A strict three-month deadline is imposed to start producing oil or face penalties. Rawlins, the secretary, cautions against the risky venture.

Gambi falls for Stella's younger sister Francesca, who is betrothed to Philippe Bayard. The town's gathering place Bon Chance becomes a backdrop for jealousy and cross-currents as Philippe reacts with jealousy. Teche, despite calling the oilmen 'foreigners', offers reluctant support.

The crew starts drilling and dynamite charges are dropped into the gulf, alarming Teche who fears shrimp deaths. Steve insists the charges are safe and the fishermen form an angry mob. To calm tensions, Steve unleashes a controlled dynamite blast behind the mob, scattering them and placating Stella.

One month into the plan, the platform and rig are completed on schedule and drilling begins. A hurricane warning gives the crew a night off. A fight erupts in Bon Chance between Philippe and Gambi, and the sheriff arrests several oilmen while Francesca denounces the men.

During the storm, Stella visits the rig to press for Gambi's firing. Steve explains that finding a resource from the earth would be a real achievement, and Stella gradually accepts his goal, ultimately kissing him.

Philippe convinces Teche to help destroy the rig and climbs onto the platform to light dynamite. Steve confronts him in a fight; Philippe trips and vanishes under the waves, with Steve fearing Stella's involvement.

Eight days before the deadline, MacDonough visits Steve to announce that the board has voted to stop drilling the next day because of potential penalties. The crew cannot work for no pay, and tensions peak as work halts.

Gambi returns from town and marries Francesca; Steve punches Gambi in frustration over the strain on the crew. Gambi scolds Steve for driving the men too hard, but he also persuades the crew to stay and continue drilling.

During drilling, the troublesome shrimp prove to be massive golden shrimp beds rather than a nuisance, signaling a potential boon for the fishermen. The discovery reshapes the town's conflict and offers leverage for the oilmen.

Dominique inflames the fishermen by warning that oilmen will steal their daughters and destroy the town, prompting Teche to warn Steve. Steve speaks to the mob, arguing that oil will bring progress and prosperity, attempting to calm angry townspeople.

The mob storms the rig to destroy it, but oil erupts onto the platform, stunning the crowd. The vast golden shrimp bed is revealed, resolving the conflict and allowing Steve and Stella to come together at last.