The Motor Boys Bound for Home is the 21st volume in the series. The boys did their part helping the Allies win WWI by fighting in two of the bloodiest battles of the war. Now they just want to get back to Cresville. But, of course, there's an "explosion" (bomb?) in the engine of the troopship which, when it turns back to port encounters heavy fog and crashes into another ship resulting in Bob and the Professor (of course he's along!) being thrown overboard. A simple ocean voyage turns into a nightmare!
Clarence Young was a Stratemeyer Syndicate pen name. Howard Garis almost certainly wrote the series, although Stratemeyer usually provided his authors with an outline of the books. Garis and his wife, Lillian, wrote many children's books under their own name. They are best known for a series of books that featured the character of Uncle Wiggily Longears, an engaging elderly rabbit. Many of Garis' books were illustrated by Lansing Campbell. Garis and his wife, Lilian Garis, were possibly the most prolific children's authors of the early 20th century. Garis wrote many books for the Stratemeyers Syndicate as well, over a period of some 30 years.