Harry Highet
Henry Ashton Highet, commonly known as Harry Highet, (1892 - 1989) was a New Zealand civil engineer famous for his 'P-class' yacht design. This class is famous for being the sailing trainer vessel for many new entrants into the sport, and virtually every famous New Zealand yachtsman, including Sir Peter Blake and Russell Coutts, learnt to sail in one.
Early life and family
Harry was born in Wellington in 1892, the son of Scottish immigrants Thomas Morton and Isabella Highet. He was the youngest of nine children. Harry's father was an ironmonger and worked at the Evan's Bay Patent slip, introducing Harry to shipbuilding from a young age.
A nephew of Harry's was Allan Highet, a member of Parliament for National.
Harry was also involved in many railway construction projects in his capacity as an engineer for the New Zealand Ministry of Works.
External links
References
- Anderson, Grahame Fast Light Boats - Te Papa Press 2002.
- Elliott, Robin and Kidd, Harold The Highets, a Wellington yachting family - Boating New Zealand, March 2005.
