The End of the Tether explores the story of an old, widowed merchant-service captain, Henry Whalley. He was famous in his younger days as dare-devil Harry Whalley, captain of the clipper Condor. However, he is forced to sell his boat and repurchase his way into service on a trading vessel because of unexpected financial problems and a desire to help his married daughter. It is a beautiful and emotional story of a man at the end of his life, with his golden days long behind him.