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 clipping reporting on the death of Sir Henry Segrave, his racing career, and his father's journey to be with him.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\5\ img175 | |
| Date | 14th June 1930 guessed | |
| SPEED-BOAT RECORD. Then he went on to Miami to capture the International Speed-boat Trophy with Miss England I., pushing Mr. Gar Wood's much higher-powered boat, Miss America, so hard on the first day that she was disabled in cornering at too high a speed. Mr. Gar Wood, however, held the world speed-boat record at 93.123 m.p.h. (set up on March 25, 1929, and later unofficially beaten by him at 96.24 m.p.h.). When Segrave returned in April that year he found waiting for him in England a knighthood from the King and a tremendous welcome from his countrymen. "ENGLAND MUST BE SUPREME." In an interview at Southampton Segrave declared that while he did not intend to race again - for he believed his land speed record would stand for some time - if it was recaptured from England he might do so. "I am not interested in the personal side of those events," he said, "but all I am interested in is that that country should hold the record - whether I hold it or Malcolm Campbell or anyone else is of no consequence. What matters is," he concluded, "that Great Britain should be supreme in the air, land, and sea speed records." "HIS PHILOSOPHY." When he broke the land record Segrave said: "I had one chance in ten. But I have become a fatalist. I take all possible precautions. ... After that I become a fatalist. If everything is right I try. If I win, I win; if I fail, I fail. A very brave man and a very fine sportsman" was the tribute of the Prince... ...minimized the full violence of the impact as he was thrown out of the car by the first shock. FATHER FLIES TO WINDERMERE. In the Air when Sir Henry Died. As soon as Mr. Charles W. Segrave, Sir Henry's father, heard of the accident he made arrangements to dash to his son's side by aeroplane and fast motor-car. Arrangements were made by telephone for a machine to be in readiness at Stag Lane Aerodrome to take him to Manchester Municipal Aerodrome, where a motor-car and driver waited to take him on to Lake Windermere. Mr. Segrave arrived at Stag Lane by motor-car about 5 o'clock. An official of Air Taxis, Limited, said: "He told me that his son had met with an accident and that he had to be in the North as quickly as possible. The machine, a two-seater, was already ticking over in readiness, and Mr. Segrave set off without wasting a moment. The pilot was Captain Birkett. They were due to arrive at Manchester between 6.30 and 6.45. We could have taken Mr. Segrave right to Windermere. But he knew that it would be difficult to land there and had already arranged to have the motor-car meet him in Manchester." Mr. Segrave reached Manchester and travelled on to Lake Windermere, arriving last evening. Mr. Charles Segrave, who is a man of 70, lives at Hyde Park... | ||