Two views of Haunted Harbour

From these two editions of the same book it is clear to see that the blurb on the second was adapted from the first and that the reference to the film of the book has been removed. I believe that the reprint was published around 1950.

First Edition (1937) Blurb

Dick Hargreaves, P.L. and Jimmy Cotton his second, are directly “up against” Tom Redpole, “The Ferret” and indirectly against Apulgrab, smuggler and swindler-in-chief.

The “otters” take up camp near Haunted Harbour, and there comes Courtney Mills, of New Scotland Yard, on a vague quest. As the story proceeds we see Mills a prisoner and “The Ferret” temporarily elated over the theft of a mysterious “gadget” reported to be of enormous value. We see, too, the arrival at camp of an aeroplane, and what came of that; the flight of Apulgrab aboard the Katharina, and that yacht’s capture, and return to Haunted Harbour.

Up to the last, tragedy seems imminent, but the “Otters” play their part, Apulgrab & Co. Are thrown very much out of gear, and a strange secret is revealed.

Readers of this story will at once see why it has been filmed by Messers Kinescout Production – it is packed with thrills and striking

Reprint (1950’s) Blurb

Dick Hargreaves, Patrol Leader of the Otters, and his fellow Sea Scouts are directly up against Tom Redpole, “The Ferret” and indirectly against Michael Apulgrab, smuggler and swindler-in-chief.

The Sea Scouts take up camp near Haunted Harbour in Anglesey and there comes Courtney Mills, of New Scotland Yard, on a vague quest. As the story proceeds we see Mills a prisoner and “The Ferret” temporarily elated over the theft of a mysterious “gadget” reported to be of enormous value. We see, too, the arrival at camp of a plane piloted by Dick’s sister Joyce, and what came of that; the flight of Apulgrab aboard the Katharina, and that yacht’s capture, and return to Haunted Harbour.
Up to the last, tragedy seems imminent, but the “Otters” play their part, Apulgrab & Co. Are thrown very much out of gear, and a strange secret is revealed.

D/W Blurb
Percy F. Westerman.
Illustrator: John De Walton 

Tales of Pluck and Daring - The Life and Work of Percy F. Westerman

I have, at last, managed to publish some of the research
into the Percy F. Westerman story in a very nice booklet courtesy of Portsmouth Grammar School. The monograph produced as a limited edition was launched at the Westerman Seminar in February.

The booklet follows Percy from his days as a pupil at
Portsmouth Grammar School to his early work as a freelance journalist. It covers a little of his time spent in Lyndhurst and his subsequent move to his beloved Wareham and his iconic floating home ‘The Barge’ where he was to spend the rest of his days.

If you would like to receive a copy of Tales of Pluck and
Daring – The Life and Work of Percy F. Westerman (Monograph Publication No. 24) published by Portsmouth Grammar School at no charge, please email: reception@pgs.org.uk with your request.