9-year-old Tom Owens, a young New Yorker, must save his Uncle Steve's reputation with the help of his friends. Steve has been accused of cutting the wire to the lights aboard the tugboat where he works, causing a collision with another boat, but despite the evidence, Tom knows his uncle is innocent. With the help of his friends, Bill and Janie, can Tom save the day?

"There are echoes of [The Firehouse Mystery] in the general pattern of the story, as once again a youngster determines to raise the fog that hangs over a beloved relative's reputation." -- Kirkus Reviews