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).
Car accident in France, subsequent towing, and damage assessment.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M10\ img100 | |
| Date | 28th August 1924 | |
| -2- H1/TP/28.8.24. " came over beautifully, I got a man to help me to " pull the young tree further down so that the front " axle would rest on it and ease the car down, which " it did. " The horses then pulled the car back off the " tree, but water had run out of the radiator overflow " pipes and all my petrol had run out. I tried to start " up but could not, so I was towed to Tôtes, where the " car is in the garage of the Swan Hotel - called Swan " in French - something like Synges, but you will know " (Cygnes is meant - "W"). " " Now while I was being towed to Tôtes, 4 kilo- " metres, the rope kept jerking and the driver who was " towing me stopped and remonstrated with me, saying I " kept putting the brakes on, but I did not touch the " brakes, but it did seem as if the brakes were hogging " on, and perhaps that is what did the trick. " " I got to Tôtes and put in water and petrol, " but she would not start, so I put it in the garage " and got a taxi to St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Victor Station and just got " the last train to Dieppe. " " ..................... " " I can assure you I was not sleepy or tired, I " was quite alert, and did my level best but it just " happened. Ten yards from the spot where she took " charge she hit the tree. The radiator is unmarked. " The front of the front wings are unmarked. The head " lights are unmarked. There is not a window cracked " or broken. The only damage I can see is the two left " wings damaged - not a scratch on body or hood of the " Cabriolet. " " ..................... " " I shall wait at the Royal Hotel, Dieppe, for " orders. There are very few trains to St.{Capt. P. R. Strong} Victor which " is 5 kilometres from Tôtes, but unless I hear to the con- " trary I shall go over on Wednesday morning and come back " Wednesday night. " " I think I could get the car to Dieppe and sent " over, although I hear they are booked up a long way ahead, " but I could get the papers signed and it could be sent " over. " Perhaps an expert examination would be desirable." | ||