Well born at a very early age, but now matured like fine wine, the memories are hazy in some areas, but ...
Lived in Brandenburg Road, on the corner of Newlands, the road then was cinders, and Newlands was grass, the 'Standpipe' was on the opposite corner. Originally we lived in a pair of houseboats in the back garden, whilst dad built our house - remember only names then, no house numbers.

Dad was a boat builder one of the 3 on the Island, Duantless, G Prout & Sons and dad R.T.Rook (Boatbuilder), he had one workshop in the back garden, and another at Smallgains Corner. where the old bus garage used to be, I know as kids we used to rummage through the remains looking at the old postage stamps left behind in the debris.

Dad had the honour of making the mast for Duke of Edinburghs yacht, and the 80+ foot wishbone mast for Dr David Lewis's catamaran that sailed to the Arctic circle.

Vaguely I remember going to three schools there, one was up towards Tarpots, one was at the Point (our class was int he church hall nearer to SmallGains Corner though, and eventually at Furtherwick road.

1st Job was with Holiday Hall & Stinson, the electrical contractors, and helped to build Basildon, when it was tiny and not even a New Town ... lol ... then I worked at Tower Radio for a while before joining the Royal Air Force, leaving Canvey and never really returning.

Well that's my memories, oh apart from scaring the life out of Father and StepMother one day when I walked across Benfleet Creek from Canvey to Benfleet - yes right across that lethal mud from one side to the other, but had to walk all the way home across the swing bridge and back home as the tide was coming back in... well as kids we didn't know that the mud was almost bottmless in places - and I had got my wellington boots on, so I was safe
Vulcan_Bomber

Hi Vulcan Bomber,

I knew Benfleet Creek very well as in late fifties, we lived on a boat (Airsea Rescue) on both sides of the creek. The first mooring we had was actually in Dauntless Boat Yard where we had access to our mooring along a wobbly wooden plant and at spring tides I remember standing on the marshes looking at my home towering above me and being totally inaccessable until the tide dropped and I could purchase a foothold on the slippery plank.

My parents were great friends with Sam Hearne who owned the small Boat yard on the left hand side of the swing bridge coming from the Canvey side. He had been there a number of years and I believe was one of the original ferrymen who used to row people across the creek before the bridge was built. The second mooring we had was in on the Benfleet side in a yard known as `Bakers the Breakers`. Here, in this yard were hulks of boats (mainly war ships) being broken up for their scrap metal, what a wonderful playground for a child!

Are you familiar with any of the above, if so, I would love to learn of your experiences.

Felicity

Hi Felicity, Dauntless I remember very well indeed, half their place always seemed to be under water with the spring tides ... lol
I left Canvey before the new road/bridge was built, and still have fond memories of the old sliding bridge, I know one day at about 14 years of age, I actually waiited for the tide to go out, then WALKED from where I lived (Newlands/Sunken Marsh) over the entire creek to Benfleet, then had to walk back via the road (after I found it from exiting Benfleet side) I guess I was aware of the dangers of that bottomless mud in places, but was also pretty savvy about what was 'hard' mud and what wasn't. Though in retrospect it was a mad teenagers idea of fun.
Regards - Robert

Hi there Robert (aka Vulcan Bomber),

Bet your father knew the Latimer family pretty well being a boat-builder. After my mothers death, my sister was adopted by the Latimers (Ken and Betty) they looked after her like she was one of their own. Sadly, Ken died about four years ago, but Betty, I am delighted to say, is still thriving up in Chalfont-St.-Giles in Sheltered Accommodation just around the corner from my sister.

The elderly Latimers were living aboard a large old house barge up in the saltings within the confines of Dauntless boatyard. One night there was a terrible fire aboard the barge, killing I believe, both of the elderly couple.
Don`t know if the yard is still such a thriving business as it once was, I can always remember the Dauntless Design, such a simple little craft, but so seaworthy.

Ah well, those were the days, mud and all, wouldn`t have been anything without the water and mud - rowing off up the saltings with two dogs aboard and a lust for adventure, returning alongside the boat just as dusk was settling, shipping the oars and going down below to my parents who said "Have you been somewhere?"

Best wishes, Felicity

Ah those were the days, I remember at age 15 going up to G Prout & Sons, and washing cars on a Sat (my pocket money) and sneaking - well not quite sneaking - on the cats going out for sea trials. I thought it luxury when my push bike was working and I could cycle up there, ot it was a long walk around the sea wall from Newlands to Prouts. Dad was the man who ended up building the Sea Rescue Canoe(SRC) for Barry Bucknals TV DIY Program, he also went into making GP 14's as a sideline, besides his Handbuilt all wooden craft, and his main stay was masts and spas.
Good Luck - Robert