In the year 1880, all alone and only twelve years of age; Martha Winstanley is sailing on the Samuel Plimsoll from England to Australia. Filled with foreboding and suffering a broken heart, Martha has left behind all those she loves, to obey her fathers direction to go live with her childless Aunt.
During the arduous four-month journey; Martha makes new friends, overcomes dreadful seasickness, and avoids the disease killing other passengers. Facing her fear of the sea, Martha recounts in her journal the extraordinary events that surround her along the way.