In a storm off the Victorian coast in 1892, a young English girl is shipwrecked and orphaned. She is rescued heroically by the only other survivor of the wreck.

Tom Critchley, the seaman who rescued Delie, arrives in Echuca on a paddle steamer he bought with his reward. It is the beginning for Delie of a remarkable ten years in her life.

Tom finalises the deal which puts Delie and Teddy into partnership as the new owners of the Philadelphia before departing for a new ship sailing the high seas.