'Happy Jack, and Other Tales of the Sea' is a naval adventure novel written by William Henry Giles Kingston. The protagonist and narrator of the story is Jack, a happy-go-lucky and athletic young boy who decides to explore the world by going to sea, despite his father's desire for him to pursue a learned profession. Jack ends up on the Naiad, a dirty and dingy brig, where he reflects on the difficult conditions faced by the crew. Nevertheless, he finds himself enjoying the adventure.