From the introduction: A drifting hulk, seemingly abandoned, has floated into the harbor and now bobs quietly in the bay. A few of the braver sailors from some of the docked ships went aboard to attempt a salvage mission, but none have returned. Now the sailors and dockworkers are whispering that the derelict ship is haunted, and the harbormaster wants it out of her bay, or at least cleared of its denizens so that the rumors are quelled. She fears the entire harbor may have to be shut down unless she can find a group of hardy souls willing to do this.