The Sand Pebbles

In 1926, as strong feelings of nationalism are sweeping through China and the followers of Chiang Kai-shek are demanding that all foreigners leave Chinese soil, the US gunboat San Pablo is patrolling the Yangtze River. The newest member of the crew, who call themselves “sand pebbles”, is a the machinist Jake. Although his independent nature is regarded with suspicion by most of the men, he wins the friendship of Frenchy, a sailor in love with an English-educated Chinese girl, Maily, who has been sold into enforced prostitution. When Chiang Kai-shek moves against the feudal war lords, the US decides to treat the upheaval as a civil war and the San Pablo is ordered to confine its function to protection of American civilians in the area.