Plot summary from the AFI catalog:
"Captain Swope of the Golden Bough is dreaded by all seamen because of the cruelty with which he and Fitzgibbons, his first mate, treat their crews. When his ship berths at San Francisco, Newman, whose wife and daughter were kidnapped by Swope years before and who was framed for murder, inquires about the captain at The Knitting Swede's, a lodging house for sailors. Along with Newman, young John Shreve enlists on the vessel to be near Mary, believed to be the captain's daughter but in reality Newman's child. With a shanghaied crew, the ship leaves port. Swope recognizes Newman and has him put in irons. The crew mutinies, and Newman is released by Shreve and Mary, who, Newman learns, is his daughter. In a confrontation with Swope, Newman gets his revenge and Mary finds happiness with John."