The first act takes place in Johnny-the-Priest’s saloon in New York around 1910. Johnny, the bartender, interacts with various patrons, including longshoremen, a postman, and Larry the bartender. A letter arrives for Chris Christopherson, an aging Swedish sailor who captains a coal barge. When Chris enters, he learns the letter is from his daughter Anna, whom he hasn’t seen since she was five. He becomes emotional and hopeful about her visit, imagining a happy future with her. Chris wants Anna to live on the barge with him, so he arranges for Marthy, the woman he currently lives with, to leave; Marthy agrees amicably. Anna arrives unexpectedly soon after. Though outwardly attractive, she is worn down, recently ill, and clearly a prostitute. She and Marthy have a tense but ultimately sympathetic conversation. Anna explains her painful past: mistreatment on the Minnesota farm where she grew up, exploitation by the sons, her escape, and her eventual entry into prostitution. She expresses deep bitterness toward men. When Chris meets her, both are awkward and nervous. Chris is overwhelmed by how beautiful and refined she seems; Anna bristles at some of his comments but keeps her past hidden. She is disappointed to learn he is not a janitor with a fixed home but the captain of a coal barge. Chris, however, reassures her that life on the barge is peaceful and safe, and urges her to stay with him so she can rest and recover. Moved by his affection and loneliness, she agrees to go see it, though privately she despairs. Chris remains blissfully unaware of her true past, and Anna struggles to maintain the façade as they prepare to leave together.
In the second act, it is ten days later on Chris’s coal barge anchored in foggy Provincetown, Anna has been transformed—healthy, strong, and spiritually renewed by life on the water. She tells Chris she feels peaceful and “clean” in the fog, almost loving the sea, but Chris insists the sea is dangerous and curses it repeatedly. They talk about their family history: generations of Swedish sailors swallowed by the sea, which Chris hates and fears. Anna, however, feels strangely at home and newly happy. Their quiet is shattered when shipwrecked sailors call for help. Chris and his deckhand Johnson bring four exhausted survivors aboard. One of them is Mat Burke, a powerful, boastful Irish sailor. Anna brings him whiskey, and Burke immediately becomes infatuated with her, bragging about his strength and trying to kiss her. She forcefully pushes him away, knocking him out, which only increases his admiration. When he wakes, Burke softens, begs her friendship, and listens to her (false) claim that she is a governess. As they talk, he tells her how lonely a sailor’s life is and condemns the prostitutes sailors usually encounter—comments that clearly unsettle her. Burke quickly becomes ardent, declaring that God saved him so he could meet her and impulsively proposes marriage. Chris interrupts and jealously orders Anna inside, distrusting Burke. Burke, delirious and lovestruck, loudly repeats that he will marry Anna. Anna hushes him and helps him inside. Chris, overhearing, shakes his fist at the sea, convinced that it has betrayed him by bringing a sailor to take Anna away. He begs the sea not to carry out this “dirty trick” while he is still alive.
A week later, still on the barge in Boston, Anna is troubled and Chris is anxious. Their conversation reveals tensions over Burke, the Irish sailor Anna likes. Chris worries about her marrying a man who roams the sea, while Anna defends her independence. Burke arrives, passionately declares his love, and argues with Chris. Anna initially seems pleased but ultimately refuses to marry Burke, asserting her autonomy and insisting that neither man “owns” her. She recounts her painful past: a harsh life on the farm, forced prostitution, and the way life on the barge has restored her dignity. Burke reacts with rage and despair, claiming she has humiliated him. Chris is anguished but eventually comforts Anna, blaming the sea for bringing this turmoil into their lives. Anna remains weary and defiant, uncertain about her next steps, while Chris leaves to drink.
In the final act, it is two days later on the barge in the foggy harbor; Anna prepares to leave but delays her departure. Chris, drunk and remorseful, apologizes for the past and promises to support her financially while shipping out to Cape Town. He briefly worries about Burke, but Anna assures him she will not seek him out. Burke arrives, consumed by guilt, grief, and longing. Anna confronts him with a revolver, but they eventually reconcile emotionally. She explains she has changed, leaving her past behind, and he declares his desire to transform their future together. They swear mutual love and fidelity, agreeing to marry the next morning. Chris initially reacts with hostility but quickly accepts the union, recognizing it is the sea’s influence that has brought them together. Anna and Burke plan to start a new life together, while Chris prepares to return to the sea, wary as ever of its power. The scene ends with a symbolic toast to the sea, highlighting its persistent, unpredictable force in their lives.
