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).
Eyewitness statement detailing the inspection of the Miss England II boat's controls after it was raised from the water.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\5\ img103 | |
| Date | 13th June 1930 guessed | |
| I was present when Miss England II was raised to the surface and was the first person to board her. I immediately looked at the switches and clutch levers. I found that the switches were on and the clutches engaged. I returned to the shed aboard Miss England II. On the way I disengaged the clutches and found that they were operating perfectly and that I was able to rotate the whole of the transmission by hand. I also tested the steering which gave full helm in both directions on both rudders. Both accelerator pedals were in the closed position. The boat made no water at all. I own a fast step-boat, which is capable of 40 miles an hour. I have had actual experience of my own boat being holed by striking floating driftwood in the Bristol Channel when travelling at speed. I actually saw the floating driftwood on the occasion in question too late to avoid it, felt the impact and found that the hull of my boat had been split by the impact to the extent of 18 inches. | ||