The opening scenes show the Portland steaming out to sea with threatening skys and the beginnings of a snow storm. Eventually the storm worsens, and the steamer struggles against the rising seas.

The steamer's long, narrow shape and shallow draft probably caused its crew to loose control in the rough seas. They could not keep the steamer's bow pointing into the oncoming waves. A rogue wave hits the ship from the starboard side and she goes down (Imagry of the wreck shows the top deck was ripped off.)

Final scenes show underwater views of the ship disappearing into the depths.