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).
Potential causes of the 'Amiens Accident' and suggesting steering improvements.
| Identifier | Morton\M10\ img080 | |
| Date | 13th April 1928 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. to DA.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to BJ. LHS.{Lord Herbert Scott} c. to PN.{Mr Northey} CWB. c. to C. SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} c. to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} +4199 RI/LG13.4.28. RE. AMIENS ACCIDENT. +8940k I cannot see how the steering could be wrong and right again - it is just possible to have a steering seizure or a brake come on, but it is so remote to go right again as to be unbelievable. My impression is that the back wheels slipped and skidded : (1) Wet roads. (2) A cambered road - quick sideways. (3) Worn tyres.+ (4) Large dia. tyres for the load. (5) Probably accelerating from 50 up to ? (6) Powerful engine for the load on back wheels. /light (7) Tyre pressure may have been low. I hear hispano do not fit these tyres * to their sports model. I do not see that we can do anything or blame any-body, but take care that the combination does not occur again. I have not heard what tyres were on the back wheels. Apparently the car was still being steered when it had lost its back axle, and all through Mr. Grylls and Comm.Briggs skids. Hispano steering is very like ax ours and is considered the best car about our size. The only thing I can possibly suggest is to replace the mechanical friction on the front axle with more constant hydraulic, i.e. reliefd valves each way set for a given lbs.(say 5) on the steering wheel and one of the new by-passes for slower movements. Water lubricates like oil at sufficient speed and area for load - even you have sean how air can lubricate. Awaiting your further inquiries - should like Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} to visit the piece of road if convenient. + Had covered approx 2,500 miles * Dunlop buttressed type tread. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||