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 regarding the inquest, cause of disaster, and funeral for Sir Henry Segrave.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\5\ img165 | |
| Date | 16th June 1930 guessed | |
| Left Column: "I will suggest that all present should depart from the ordinary course, and will ask you to stand with me out of mark of respect for this gentleman and his engineer, and as a mark of condolence with the widow and relatives." The gathering stood in silence for a few moments. Mr. Segrave, father of Sir Henry, and Mr. Hickey, representing Mr. Cooper, [briefly returned?] their thanks. "I would like to associate myself on behalf of Mr. Fred Gresset, and Mr. Halseley, with the expression of sympathy at the loss of two such prominent sportsmen, and to express my profound sympathy with the relatives. Mr. Hallowell and Mr. Halseley..." Mr. Nutt said, "I also wish to express great sympathy on the part of Sir Henry Royce, the directors, and also the employees of The Rolls Royce Company with the relatives in this sad bereavement. We all know that Sir Henry's death is not only a loss to the British nation, but will be felt the world over." SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE. "Mr. Hallowell has just told me the [cause of?] the disaster, and I should also like to express my sympathy and that of Sir Henry Royce, the directors, and the employees of the Rolls Royce Company with the relatives of Mr. Hallowell." Mr. H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} R.{Sir Henry Royce} Chamberlain, in behalf of Lord Wakefield of Hythe, also expressed his sympathy. Dr. Crawford then said: "I call you to now to complete the inquest today. At this moment I do not know what will be done in the way of endeavouring to ascertain the cause of the accident, whether it is intended to raise the boat and have it so. But quite properly with legal and expert assistance will that question be gone into, and therefore I say nothing further on that line, [...] and leave matters in a very much [open?] condition you today." Mr. Charles William Segrave, father of Sir Henry, was called, and he formally identified the body of Sir Henry as his elder son. Sir Henry was thirty-three on January 11 last. He lived at [...] Gardens S.W. He used, he said, 'to be in the [Army?]' Right Column: [...attaining a speed of 98 miles an] hour, although this speed cannot be counted officially. CAUSE OF DISASTER. An official statement issued by Lord [Bracknock], following a conference of technical experts yesterday indicated that the probable cause of the disaster was a floating object hitting the rear portion of the step, causing it to be torn off. "Subsequently," the statement continued, "it has been learned that twenty minutes after the disaster a water-logged branch of a tree approximately three feet long and three inches in diameter was picked up 200 yards at the stern of the boat, and as near as can be ascertained in its direct path." "This could have caused the damage to the step. There is no evidence pointing to any failure at the hull or the machinery." A Yorkshire choir was taken to the scene of the disaster in a motor-launch to-day and sang a hymn, the words of which are, "These things shall be a loftier race than e'er the world has known shall rise." The body of Sir Henry Segrave, enclosed in a plain oak coffin, was taken from Windermere to London by motor-hearse today. Sir Henry's home is at Kingston-upon-Thames. Lady Segrave, who left for London by road, has received messages of sympathy from the King and Queen and the Prince of Wales. SIR H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} SEGRAVE'S FUNERAL. The funeral of the late Sir Henry Segrave will take place to-morrow and will be strictly private. There will be a memorial service at St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Margaret's, Westminster, at 12.30 p.m., and those wishing to attend should be in their places not later than twelve o'clock. | ||