From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Conference about an accident and the subsequent sourcing and testing of car springs from different suppliers.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 72\3\ scan0104 | |
| Date | 1st September 1924 | |
| X9410 HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from CJ. Copy to BJ., Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, Rg.{Mr Rowledge}, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}, Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} re Springs. CJ10/E1/9/24 At Derby on Friday morning we had a conference at which BJ and I met Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}, Rg.{Mr Rowledge}, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}, BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} The telegram explaining the accident to the covered car was read and I requested that a copy of it should be sent to you immediately. It appears that the 12½% springs were fitted to the open car which is running 10,000 miles in France were made by Firth's and did not conform with our drawings and specification and had been condemned by you. Furthermore it was reported that Firth's clip was considered by you to be unsatisfactory. It appeared, therefore, that we had no reliable information as to the behaviour of 12½% springs of a design which would be acceptable to you. It was, therefore, decided immediately to stop the running of the car in France pending the fitting to it of springs which would be acceptable to you. It was also thought desirable that, in connection with the 10,000 miles' trial of 12½% springs of a design approved by you, there should be two cars run, one fitted with Woodhead springs and the other fitted with springs - the top leaf and plates carrying the clips to be made by Woodhead and the remainder of the springs to be made by Firth's. Wd.{Mr Wood/Mr Whitehead} was requested immediately to proceed to see Woodhead and Firth's with a view to obtaining these springs at the earliest possible date. Woodhead's agreed to supply the springs and to let us have them on Friday of this week. I have not heard yet when Firth's expect to supply their springs. It is satisfactory to learn that the 25% springs in connection with four wheel brakes have proved to have a longer life than the ordinary standard springs without front wheel brakes. CJ. | ||