Obituary: Harold (Harry) M. Hignett 1927-2018

June 12th, 2019 by JCB
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Sadly Harry died Saturday 15 th September 2018, he was 91 years old. He was born in Liverpool and lived on the Wirral Peninsula most of his life. He started his working life during the 2nd World War at the age of 14 as a Telegraph Boy in Liverpool. At 17 he joined the Merchant Navy with T & J Harrison and at 21 he  moved to Shaw, Savill & Albion Line wishing to see more of Australia & New Zealand. He obtained his Masters F. G. certificate in 1954 and joined the Manchester Ship Canal as a Helmsman. He became 2nd Class MSC Pilot in 1960 and  was promoted to 1st Class MSC Pilot in 1963. He volunteered for early retirement in April 1988 as did many pilots & helmsmen as trade on the Canal was very quiet at this time.

Harry involved himself in several societies, to name a few, Honourable Company of Master Mariners, Nautical Institute, Merseyside Master Mariners, Nautical Association of Australia and particularly the Liverpool Nautical Research Society.

In 1972 he was awarded a Travelling Fellowship by the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, spending months in major ports & waterways of Europe & North America studying vessel traffic systems. He took a keen interest in the history of pilotage around the world especially the UK and in 1984 for the centenary of the UKPA (as it was at that time) published, “The History of the UKPA” which he updated in 2012 & had republished as, “21 Centuries of Marine Pilotage”. He was continually researching all aspects of shipping especially in Liverpool and was always very willing to help anyone with their queries about anything marine.

Harry married Margaret 1951 and they have two children Karen & Janice. They also have six grand children. They both loved cruising and did many trips going as far as Australasia. Sadly Margaret died in 2005 but Harry continued cruising and flying around the world until he was 90.

Harry’s funeral was held on 28 th September 2018 on the Wirral and was well attended by his loving family and many friends. He will be sadly missed.

Robbie Hide (Manchester Ship Canal Pilot)