The Harbour-Master is a novel by Robert W. Chambers. It tells the story of a mysterious water creature and a lonely man in need of a verbal sparring partner, searching for a supposedly extinct bird.

Robert William Chambers, born on May 26, 1865, in Brooklyn, New York, is known for his prolific literary career that spanned various genres including fantasy, horror, romance, and historical fiction. His early education took place at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, followed by studies at the Art Students League of New York and the Ècole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Initially, Chambers pursued a career in art, but his focus shifted to writing, a medium through which he found considerable success. In 1894, he published 'The King in Yellow,' a collection of weird and supernatural tales that has since become a seminal work in early American horror literature, influencing subsequent writers such as H.P. Lovecraft. Chambers' penchant for the supernatural was also evident in works such as 'The Harbour-Master,' which further showcased his storytelling abilities in weaving elements of suspense and the macabre with romantic and adventure narratives. His body of work, which includes over 70 novels, reflects a versatility and an ability to transition between escapist fiction and more serious literary endeavors. Chambers' contributions to early 20th-century literature earned him a significant readership during his lifetime, although his reputation has largely rested on his early weird tales. He passed away on December 16, 1933, leaving behind a legacy of diverse writing that continues to be explored and appreciated by enthusiasts of classic literature.