Philip Vanderdecker falls asleep while reading The Flying Dutchman and dreams about Peter Van Dorn, burgomaster of a small Dutch seacoast town, telling the legend to his two daughters, Melissa and Zoe. Vanderdecker imagines that he is The Flying Dutchman, condemned by God for blaspheming during a storm to roam the seas in a phantom ship and to reach port only once every seven years. His only salvation is in finding a woman who will be faithful to him. If he finds such a woman the curse will be lifted. While the burgomaster is telling the story, a stranger comes to the inn. He falls in love with Melissa, but is blind to Zoe, who recognizes him as The Flying Dutchman. Melissa promises to be faithful and sends her former fiancé on a sea voyage from which she hopes he will never return. When Melissa cannot keep her promise, Zoe, who is revealed as Philip Vanderdecker's wife, declares her love and saves The Flying Dutchman just as he is about to embark on another seven-year voyage.