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 clipping detailing the fatal crash of Sir Henry Segrave during a water speed record attempt.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\5\ img171 | |
| Date | 14th June 1930 guessed | |
| P.T.O. Page 2. SUNDAY GR{George Ratcliffe} SEGRAVE MYSTERY Experts Think Step Was Torn Away By Tree Trunk: A Speed King's Mother Declares—"It Should Be Stopped" UNDAUNTED GIRL'S NEW BID It is believed that a waterlogged piece of a tree was the cause of the disaster that sent Sir Henry Segrave to his death within a few hours of attaining the water speed record. A statement to that effect was issued yesterday by Lord Brecknock, president of the Marine Motor Association, following a conference of experts at Windermere. Below appears an interview with the mother of a famous British racing driver. "These speeds have now reached such a pitch that the competition ought to stop," she declares. THE WOMAN'S PART "It is Cruel," Says a Mother— "Worth While," a Wife The mother of one of England's most famous racing drivers and the wife of another expressed two different opinions on the value of great speed achievements to the Sunday Graphic yesterday. Asked if attempts on speed records were fair to the wives and families of the drivers concerned, the mother replied emphatically, "They are not." "I think it is cruel," she stated, "that the families of racing drivers should be kept in such a state of suspense. It is a terrible anxiety, and for my own part I am always worried. Racing men whose sport were compelled to take aerial risks, but I think it is wrong that in the interests of sport they should needlessly incur greater risks in peacetime." "I think, as a matter of fact, that these competitions have reached such a pitch that the competition ought to stop. I can see what purpose they serve and why it is necessary in the interests of mechanical progress, the same facts cannot be discovered in the work-shop." "Certainly I am against the whole thing." A Brave Wife Speaks Mrs. Campbell, wife of Malcolm Campbell, the racing motorist, expressed deepest sympathy with Lady Segrave. ROYAL SYMPATHY The King and Queen sent a telegram yesterday to Lady Segrave expressing their sorrow at her loss. The Prince of Wales, who was a personal friend of Sir Henry, wired: 'Please accept my deepest sympathy in yours and the country's great loss.' "But," she said, "it might be a tremendous help to her to know that her husband had achieved his ambition." "Every wife likes to know that her husband has achieved what he has set out to do." "The wife endures frightful hours of agony —a fearful nervous strain—in the hope that her husband may achieve something." "The mental agony that the women goes through is sufficient proof that the man is called upon to suffer, for he is obsessed by his ambition." "She is part of his success because she experiences every muscle long before he sets about his task." "His triumph is her triumph. It is worth while." [Image Caption] A Sunday Graphic photograph of Miss England II, capsized after the disaster, showing clearly the hole in her hull. CAUSE OF DISASTER Sir Henry Segrave's Body to Be Brought to London All along the shores of Lake Windermere yesterday the crowds of holiday-makers were subdued and sad. The lake was empty of boats, save for those dragging for the body of Victor Halliwell, the mechanic. One topic only was discussed: What was the cause of the disaster that sent Britain's greatest speed king and one of his mechanics to their deaths? An official statement was issued by Lord Brecknock, president of the Marine Motor Association, following a conference of experts yesterday. It was declared that an examination of the boat as it sank and of the portion of the step which was torn away furnished sufficient evidence to indicate the probable cause of the accident, namely, that a floating object was hit by the rear portion of the step, causing it to be torn off. Subsequently it has been learned that 20 minutes after the disaster a waterlogged branch of a tree approximately 20 feet long and three inches in diameter was picked up 100 yards from the spot where the boat was sunk and as near as can be ascertained in the direct path. A graphic story of the last moments of the great sportsman appears on page 4. | ||