G Prout & Sons

Ian Hawks Memories

By Mike Brown

I started work at G Prout & Sons in 1955 after demob from national service (3 Para) but was recalled for the Suez War in October 1956 and was involved in the last operational drop by the Parachute Regiment to take and secure El Gamil airstrip in Egypt. I returned to work in December 1956.

Displayed in National Science Musuem

The company moved from Small Gains to Canvey Point in 1960 I worked in the new workshop building large catamarans, I built the hull mould for 77ft TSULAMARAN and worked on all the large catamarans built up to 1970 when the company moved to Charfleets under new management.

I worked at Earls Court Boat Show building a Shearwater 111 catamaran, stand 15, not sure what year it was perhaps Ian would know? I also made a 1/12 scale of a Shearwater 111 which is displayed in The National Science Museum and a model of a workboat built for the United Nations which is displayed in their building in NY.

The picture of me with the model of Quasar taken by Ian Hawks was for the owner a Greek shipping magnet.

I often wonder how many of the original workforce are still with us I recently met Bob Tapin and Cedric Baker.

I am still a very keen model maker I have recently completed a 1/12 scale working model of the Edwardian Steam Launch Miranda which is featured in the November 2008 issue of Model Boats Magazine. I still build and race model power boats my latest is a 43" radio controlled catamaran powered by a 26cc watercooled petrol engine which has been timed at 64.7mph.