Arthur Ransome 
We Didn»t Mean to Go to Sea 

»Now Susan, » Mother said, »And you too, John. No night sailing. No going outside the harbour. And back the day after tomorrow. Promise.»But promises can»t always be kept. Within twenty-four hours John, Susan, Titty and Roger find themselves fighting a night gale in the treacherous waters of the North Sea, adrift and in the main shipping lanes. Suddenly, it»s real adventure and only their sailing skills can help them now.