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).
Newspaper clippings reporting on the inquest of Sir H. Segrave and the recovery of his mechanic's body following the Miss England II disaster.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\5\ img164 | |
| Date | 14th June 1930 guessed | |
| Article 1: HOMAGE AT THE INQUEST ON SIR H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} SEGRAVE. CORONER AND SOME PEOPLE'S VIEW ON "RECKLESSNESS." "Some people may think that this is a life which has been recklessly thrown away, and perhaps there may be something in that. But we have to remember that this gentleman and his engineers, who unfortunately also lost his life, were not out for personal gain or aggrandisement; they were out to uphold what Britain stands for, for something to be gained in prestige by Britain." These comments were made by Mr. F.{Mr Friese} W. Poole, the coroner, when he formally opened the inquest at Wray on Saturday on Sir Henry Segrave. The body of the racing driver lay on the right of Little Grange, a mansion on the shore of Lake Windermere, near the spot where he was brought in and... Lady Dorina and Mr. Segrave, the brother of Sir Henry, attended the inquest. Mr. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Handley, solicitor, of Windermere, representing Mr. F.{Mr Friese} Cooper, the designer of Miss England II, and Mr. King V.{VIENNA} Sow, a Derby solicitor, representing the Rolls Royce Company, were also present. "Although it is perhaps not usual in cases like this, before I begin this inquiry, I feel sure," he said, "I should like to make just a few remarks." COUNTRY'S GRIEF. "In this case it is not only the relatives who are bereaved, but I think I am right in saying that the whole country feels grieved at the death of these great men." ...knight. I have seen the body." Dr. Gillierd, of Harrogate said he was staying at Windermere. "I was in a launch on Windermere about 200 to 300 yards from where Mr. Segrave met with the accident." He added: "There was a call for a doctor, and my accordionist went over in Mr. Beck's boat. I gave orders that the launch should proceed to Belle Grange." "I examined Sir Henry, as soon as it was possible, despite the cramped position. He had a fracture of the right thigh and fractured ribs. The ribs had penetrated the lung, causing internal hemorrhage. On arrival at Belle Grange he was put to bed, and Dr. Hall arrived later, but, despite all he did, Sir Henry passed away at 5 p.m." FINDING THE CAUSE. The coroner then said that he did not think that he need detain the jury any longer. Mr. Handley: It might be opportune at this stage to state that we are now in possession of evidence that we can produce at any time that will indicate the approximate cause of the accident, so that as soon as you are ready and the body of the unfortunate engineer is produced, we think that may be run. It is a matter of expert and certain lay evidence, and we think we can arrive at certain conclusions. The coroner said he was pleased to hear this, as it might expedite the resumption of the inquest. Article 2: HYMN SUNG OVER SUNKEN SPEED BOAT. CHOIR'S REQUIEM ON LAKE WINDERMERE. MECHANIC'S BODY RECOVERED. "Daily Express" Special Correspondent. WINDERMERE, Sunday. THE body of Mr. A.{Mr Adams} W. Halliwell, who, with Sir Henry Segrave, was killed in the disaster to Miss England II. at Lake Windermere on Friday, was recovered by the police to-day. The police had been dragging over an area of half a mile since Friday night and were successful on resuming this afternoon, when the iron net caught the body within ten yards of where Miss England II. is supposed to be lying. When the dead mechanic was brought to the surface his goggles were still over his eyes, and in one hand he held a pencil and in the other a slip of paper on which, apparently, he had been taking notes of the engine revolutions just before the crash occurred. Mr. Halliwell was the son of Mr P. W. Halliwell, of Portishead, near Bristol. The inquest will be opened to-morrow. It has now been revealed that Sir Henry easily smashed the water speed record before the disaster, and had attained a speed of 115 miles an hour. | ||