The main character tells about his stay on the ship Elsinore, in which from the very beginning there are not the most rainbow events. With each chapter of the event more and more go beyond the framework of the rational and the main character is aware of this. Traveling by ship is a long coexistence of many people in a limited space, where they have nowhere to go from each other, and they are forced to constantly contact. Latent antipathy there develops into a demonstrative hostility, and discontent and bitterness into fierce hatred. All these feelings vividly expose the wild essence of man, hidden under the tinge of civilization.