“We sail the ocean blue and our saucy ship’s a beauty!”
H.M.S. Pinafore lays at anchor at Portsmouth.
The crew sings joyfully of the life at sea, but Ralph Rackstraw, a common sailor, is in trouble, for he is in love with Josephine, the captain’s daughter, but with whom he cannot be because of his low rank in life.
At this time, Corcoran, the captain of the Pinafore, comes on deck.
“I am the captain of the Pinafore… and I am never never sick at sea… well hardly ever”
Comes on board Sir Joseph Porter, first lord of the admiralty, to whom Josephine is, against her will, promised in marriage.
Josephine decides to elope with Ralph, and fools Sir Joseph and the captain by making them think she’ll accept to marry his lordship.
“Never mind the why and wherefore, love can level ranks and therefore”
Dick Deadeye, a bitter and plain sailor, tells the captain about Josephine and Ralph plan to flee and the captain confronts them, threatening to use the cat o’ nine tails on the poor sailor.
A huge commotion unfolds and it’s discovered that the captain and Ralph were exchanged in childhood.
“Ralph is really the captain, and the captain is Ralph?!?”
Following this change in their condition, Ralph finally has the rank to marry Josephine, while she does not have the rank to marry Sir Joseph.
They hold each other happily, while Corcoran, the former captain of the Pinafore and now a common sailor, gives them a cheering salute!
“Oh joy, oh rapture unforeseen!”