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).
Accident report for Bentley B.56.BN detailing a crash in France due to steering failure on a wet road.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\1\ scan0231 | |
| Date | 15th April 1936 | |
| COPY. ( G.W.H. is adsent ) HOTEL DE FRANCE CHATEAUROUX. Indre France. To Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to G.W.H. B.56.BN{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} - BENTLEY. On the 14th inst. the car went out as usual. Hamilton was driving and Welsh was the passenger. The front tyres were smooth prior to being changed at mid-day. When at Orleans, it began to rain hard, the car's speed was reduced to approximately 50 to 60 MPH. in consequence. About 10 miles after having left Orleans going in the direction of Chateroux, a slight bend was reached about 100 yards before a level crossing. The car was reduced to a reasonable speed so as to negotiate the bend, but owing to the greasy state of the road and the smooth front tyres, the steering failed to respond. The car continued in a dead straight line and ran over a low kerbe on to the opposite grass verge, where it first struct a low 100 meter stone standing up about 18" from the ground and then a deep water gulley about 12" deep. The car ulimately came to a rest with the rear wheels in the gulley. It was found that the front axle had bent due to the impact with the stone and gulley, and the N.S.R. wing had grazed a concrete corner post. The N.S.R. tyre had burst, this apparently happened when the car first ran over the kerb stones. With assistance, the car was taken on to the road, the front wheel changed and driven back to Chateroux at a low speed. A further explanatory diagram enclosed. Further examination showed that the cross steering tube was bent, also the Nearside spring clip bolts had sheared. The Nearside front shock damper box was damaged at the union boss, this however, will not | ||