It is a classic sea yarn that describes how Captain Macwhirr sails the Siamese steamer Nan-Shan into a typhoon. Other characters include the young Jukes and Solomon, the head engineer. The novel classically evokes the sea-faring life at the turn of the century.
On the surface an adventure novel, the book contains many interwoven themes including:
* In a dangerous situation, people will follow someone showing certainty even if the source of the certainty is dubious.
* Lack of imagination can place one in as much danger as lack of experience.