Author(s): Ron Clark; John Webster (Editor); Janine Clark ((various roles))

Motor & Transport

Harry Clark (1914-2002 is known across Australia for his wooden fishing boats. Born in Williamstown, Harry became a professional shipwright before designing and building wooden 'couta and other fishing boats that are now regarded as collectables. Written by his son, Ron Clark, this is the story of Harry's lifelong affinity with the sea. As a boy, Harry "mucked about" in boats and went fishing out of Queenscliff. He sailed in top company on nationally-known yachts on Port Phillip Bay. Later in life he went fishing by rowing a 12ft dinghy around the Bay, disdaining the use of an outboard motor. But Harry's crowning achievement was realising his dream of creating his own boats. While he and his wife "Dolly" raised a family of five in their home in Newport, Harry set about teaching himself boat design then building more than 40 boats over 40 years in their backyard. His boats are still going strong, some after almost 80 years.