Discord at home causes a New York City teenager to become depressed. She runs away from home, fleeing to the docks on Lower Manhattan’s east side. She’s contemplating suicide.

A young sailor hears her crying and comes to her rescue. He offers to smuggle her aboard his ship. "We leave for Europe at first light," says the seaman. "I’ll hide you in a lifeboat and take care of your every need."p>

The girl is overjoyed. Under cover of darkness, the two slip aboard the ship and the sailor stashes his lady friend in one of the lifeboats. He gives her sandwiches, a soda and warm blankets.

The sailor carefully covers the lifeboat with a heavy canvas. He warns the girl she must not peer out from under the cover for fear she’ll be spotted by a member of the crew. Her discovery could have dire consequences. So, there she remains in the rolling lifeboat as the ship sails past the Statue of Liberty and out across New York Harbor.

Days later, during a surprise inspection of the vessel, the ship’s captain discovers the girl in her hiding place.

The frightened teenager explains to the captain that she was contemplating suicide when "one of your fine, young sailors befriended me and offered to bring me aboard this lovely vessel. Once we get to Europe we’ll begin a new life together."

She adds, "Several times each day this wonderful man brings me food and spends the night with me here in the lifeboat to insure my comfort and safety." The captain listens sympathetically until the girl finishes her story.

"I’m happy for you, miss,"says the captain. "But your new life in Europe will have to wait. You see, for the past five days you’ve been traveling back and forth aboard the Staten Island Ferry."