H. Irving (Harrie Irving) Hancock
The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate; or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog
"The Motor Boat Club at the Golden Gate; or, A Thrilling Capture in the Great Fog" by H. Irving Hancock is a children's adventure novel written in the early 20th century. This story follows young Tom Halstead and his companion Joe Dawson as they embark on exciting maritime escapades on the West Coast, specifically in and around San Francisco. As members of the Motor Boat Club, they are joined by their friends and new flat members in a thrilling tale that promises to include danger, mystery, and camaraderie. The opening of the book sets the stage for an adventurous journey as Tom and Joe travel by train from California's state capital to San Francisco, anticipating new opportunities with a wealthy yacht owner named Joseph Baldwin. Upon arriving, they encounter a distressed young woman on the train who is pursued by a sinister man, a situation that Tom bravely intervenes in. As the boys navigate their way through these early encounters, they are oblivious to the forthcoming adventures and challenges that await them on the water, suggesting a mix of both heroic and thrilling moments to come as members of the Motor Boat Club.