LIEUTENANT H. M. NEES

Evening Star, Issue 24008, 6 October 1941, Page 4

LIEUTENANT H. M. NEES

SPEEDY PROMOTION TO COMMAND WELL-KN&WN OTAGO YACHTSMAN The announcement that Lieutenant H. M. Nees had been promoted to the command of one of His Majasty’s ships is greatly appreciated by yachtsmen generally and especially by his comrades of Otago Harbour. The advancement of this young sailor has beep exceptionally rapid, though his experience on the sea has been long and varied. Harry Nees comes of a family long connected with yachting in New Zealand. Even as a schoolboy he, showed a deep love for the sea and all connected with it. Ho passed through the varying stages of the sport of yachting witii a definite preference for sail and, in later years, as tljo skipper

of tlio fine six-metre yacht Dawn, lie was recognised as a cool and clever boat sailer with a thorough knowledge of seamanship and racing technique. During the recent Centennial .ocean race from Lyttelton to Wellington he filled an emergency vacancy in the crew of the Bluff yacht Gypsy. During the race Gypsy picked up a wireless warning of an approaching cyclonic storm and, although the smallest boat in the race, she was stood boldly out to sea and for 30 hours rode out the gale hove-to. As a result.of that experience Harry Nees was convinced that however skilful a man might bo as a boat sailer ho was not fully equipped for serious ocean work unless ho was also proficient in navigation. On his return home ho applied himself to the study of that science and passing his examinations last November, be enlisted at the local headquarters of the R.N.V.11. By virtue of his qualifications he was granted the rank of temporary sublieutenant and at once sent to England. There be was selected l for a course of study at a naval academy, passing' out in two months with the rank of lieutenant. Following this lie was nominated for a month’s specialist course, and immediately afterwards appointed to one of the Navy’s speediest ships as second in command and! navigating officer. True to the Navv’s traditions little news is available of the ship’s doings, but it is known that Lieutenant Nees has already seen considerable service. The news of bis promotion to command comes less than a year after his joining nn. an exceptional performance and a striking il’ustration of the value the Admiralty places on sea experience.