David Robinson is being shipped off to a penal colony. His wife and kids are allowed to accompany him. A storm strikes the ship and the family (save for one son, Jacob) are trapped below deck. Jacob is raised by pirates, and the family gets out of the boat and on to land, salvaging as much as they can from the boat, including dogs, chickens, and muskets. They learn to survive and build a shelter on land. Then, Jacob's pirates kidnap Emily, the daughter of a sea-captain. She escapes onto the island and becomes a love interest with Fritz and Ernst. Jacob is reunited with his family during a battle with the pirates over Emily, and she is returned to her father. In the end, the family goes their own ways, some staying on the island, some going home.