The Sea Scouts of the Kestrel: The story of a cruise of adventure & pluck in a small yacht on the English Channel

"The Sea Scouts of the Kestrel" by Percy F. Westerman is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows the adventures of a group of Sea Scouts, particularly focusing on Peter Craddock and his companions from the "Otters" troop, as they prepare to compete in the upcoming Sea Scouts’ Jamboree. Amidst challenges of camaraderie, resourcefulness, and courage, they strive to restore their new yacht, the Kestrel, while facing the threats from a local bully, Carlo Bone, also known as Blueskin. At the start of the book, the Sea Scouts find themselves in a precarious situation regarding their new vessel, the Kestrel, as they work diligently to make her seaworthy ahead of the Jamboree. In a tense encounter, Craddock heroically rescues a puppy from drowning, establishing the animal as their mascot. As they grapple with the issues of time constraints and a formidable foe in Blueskin, who harbors resentment towards them, the scouts’ resilience shines through. The beginning sets the tone for their adventures filled with bravery and teamwork, as well as the impending challenges they must navigate both at sea and in their community.