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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).
Accident report detailing a car skidding on manure and crashing through a hedge during a test drive.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 113\1\  scan0172
Date  29th November 1934
  
To D/L. From Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GR.{George Ratcliffe}
c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
X4199a
Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/GR.{George Ratcliffe}1/MJ.3 0.11.34.

REPORT OF ACCIDENT ON ASHBOURNE ROAD.

I was driving the car 20-G-1V on return to the Works during test and at 4.15 p.m. (29.11.34) about a mile from Kirk Langley the car went into a violent skid in the following manner.

The cause of the skid was due to a layer of manure on the road surface, opposite a farm house tenanted by Mr. R.T.Archer. Hill Top Farm, Kirk Langley, Nr. Derby.

I was about to overtake a lorry when I saw another car approaching from the opposite direction. I applied the brakes in a normal manner at about 35 M.P.H. steering slightly to the near side of the road, when the rear wheels suddenly locked, causing the rear of the car to swing over to the off-side of the road.

I had half corrected the skid with the steering and release of the brakes when I saw the oncoming car was too close for the full correction and avoid a collision.

I immediately pulled the steering hard over to the left applying the brakes again but could not prevent the car from crashing through a hedge at the near side of the road, head on.

The side and rear lamps were lit at the time.

No-one was injured and neither the car or the lorry were involved.

My companion and only witness was Mr. T.Salt Check No.2447 Exp. Test. There were no police or road agents present and with permission and help of the tenant, I drove the car round the field back on the road again.

We then placed a gate across the gap in the hedge, kindly supplied by the tenant, exchanged addresses and drove back to the Works.

On examination the damage to 20-G-1V is a dent 12" long on the side of the O.S.F. wing, as so far ascertained.

G.H.Ratcliffe, Check No.2409.
Tester. Expl.Dpt.
  
  


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