The Mediterranean Sea and its coastline represents Ulysses' voyage northwards. The SS 'Ionian' berths in the bay of Gibraltar on her way south. The captain uses a sextant to 'shoot' the sun. The second engineer takes the engine-room temperature, and the coal furnaces are stoked prior to the ship moving out. A sailor draws up a sample of sea water and takes the temperature. Awnings are rigged as protection against the sun. One of the apprentices does some washing in a bucket prior to hanging it out to dry.

At sea, the ship's log trails in the water. The radio operator calls Malta. Valletta harbour, with its Naval dockyard and floating dock, hosts the battleship 'Barham'. The 'Ionian' unloads metal goods for Malta's workships. The Blue Peter is flown.

The 'Ionian' moves out to sea again. The bosun and deckhands make canvas boat covers. Food is brought out on deck. Winch cables are oiled, and new blocks rigged. The ship approaches Alexandria harbour, where an Imperial Airways plane lands on the water, near the battleship 'Malaya'. The 'Ionian' unloads explosives, aircraft parts, chains, anchors, cement and corrugated iron.

Four destroyers, 'Garland', 'Grafton', 'Griffin' and 'Greyhound' patrol the area. Just south of Larnaca, the 'Ionian' lies near the cruiser 'Shropshire' before leaving for Kyrene, Limasol and Paphos. The 'Ionian' leaves Cyprus for Alexandria, steaming past the cruisers 'Amphitryon' and 'Malaya' and the battleship 'Warspite'.