The Scuttlers

Detective Jim Landers ( William Farnum ) is hired by Lloyds of London hires to investigate Captain Machen ( Herschel Mayall ) to find out whether or not he is scuttling his ships to collect insurance money. In order to avoid suspicion, Landers allows himself to be shanghaied aboard the Dorothy Low on her next voyage where he soon discovers the brutality of First Mate ( G. Raymond Nye ). Despite the cruel conditions and because Captain Machen has brought his daughter Laura ( Jackie Saunders ) on the voyage, Jim remains skeptical of the accusations of scuttling. However, the ship is scuttled en route and Erickson dies. Machen, Laura and Jim and some crew members survive, but Machen is critically injured. On his deathbed, he now confesses of previously scuttling a ship because it was carrying arms to Mexico. Now with the case satisfactorily resolved, Jim realizes that he has fallen in love with Laura.

Sadly this 1920 seafaring drama, remains a lost silent film.