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).
Witness statement describing a boat accident during a test run.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\5\ img100 | |
| Date | 13th June 1930 | |
| Copy of Willcocks original statement made about 7 p.m. on Friday 13th June. The first two runs were perfectly satisfactory. On the third run I imagined the boat was going considerably faster than on the previous run. Suddenly I felt a dull thud which seemed to be on the port side, there was a slight list to port immediately following that, and an immediate check, then a slight turn to starboard, then nose went up, then the hull rolled to starboard. My position was on starboard side and I was spilled out when the boat had gone half over. Shot out head first. I felt a blow on the side whilst under the water. I came to the surface very quickly. I turned round in the water two or three times, saw a black figure with no movement of arms going backward, almost vertically with head and shoulders out of the water. I had my back to the boat and just saw one disturbance of the water and saw no further object. I then turned right in the water and made for Miss England II which was then inverted with stern to the rescuing boat. I tried to keep my feet up, then came across what I took to be one of the hatches. I got over this and lay across it and went down. I let go, came up, saw cushions on my right and realised I could make neither the boat or the cushions. I looked to the oncoming boats and judged from the spray they were fast. I conserved as much energy as possible and I had tremendous difficulty in breathing, and realised that if I was to keep up I must maintain my head. I caught hold of Frank's Partner, who pulled me into the boat. (Signed) Michael J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} Willcocks. (Signed) J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Ellor. | ||