Victory reward for hard work

It was the flagship piece of veteran John Clark — until the Geraldton Menshed had to be relocated and the work of art got “broken a bit”.

To the naked eye, Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory is a masterpiece. To the maker, it’s 14 months of blood, sweat and tears — and unfinished work.

“But I’m still happy enough. It was the fourth or fifth sailing ship I have made,” Mr Clark, 88, a self-proclaimed knockabout bloke, said.

“I know one got thrown out, another is in glass perspex on the Cocos Islands and I’m not sure where the other one or two are.

“I don’t have a fascination with making ships, but I think they’re attractive and look good.”