Rulers of the Sea [1939] [DVD]

This film is about the first attempt to cross the Atlantic from Liverpool to New York City in 1837. Will Fyffe is the engineer who designs the steam engine and boat, with the assistance of Douglas Fairbanks. Fairbanks had been first mate to a sailing ship captained by George Bancroft, who is naturally not to happy about losing a good mate and watching a future rival transportation method. Fairbanks is also romancing Margaret Lockwood, Fyffe's daughter. The film follows the trials and tribulations of the Fyffe and Fairbanks, until they get their chance. When they meet with a breakdown in the ocean, and a violent storm the crisis of the movie arrives. ~ imdb