Capt David Foster commands a flotilla of destroyers and tells his men they are to fire a new torpedo known as The Creeper. But during the first trial, The Creeper blows up the firing ship. The Admiralty signals Foster, authorising him to hand over one of his two copies of The Creeper's plans to the US Navy. Captain's steward Blissworth sees the plan on the Captain's table and, in his eagerness to examine it, knocks a glass of pink gin over it. The plan is then accidentally burned as Blissworth tries to dry it out. He is ordered to cycle for headquarters to retrieve the only remaining copy of the plan, but without a pass he doesn't even get beyond the main gate.