The veteran commander of a British escort vessel guides his inexperienced crew through the dangers of combat at sea during the Second World War Atlantic campaigns. Demoralised by the failure of his last command, the captain faces a life-or-death decision in his duty to sink an enemy vessel. Nautical action adventure, starring Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, Stanley Baker and Denholm Elliott.

At the start of World War II, Cmdr. Ericson is assigned to convoy escort HMS Compass Rose with inexperienced officers and men just out of training. The winter seas make life miserable enough, but the men must also harden themselves to rescuing survivors of U-Boat attacks, while seldom able to strike back. Traumatic events afloat and ashore create a warm bond between the skipper and his first officer.