SIR H. SEGRAVE

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1930, Page 5

SIR H. SEGRAVE

HA I.LI WELL’S BODY FOUND

Limited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right. J

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) LONDON. .June 14

Ha.lli.wef,]’,s body was dragged up close to tlie sunken .Miss England. A pencil was st.ll clutched in one of his hands and a piece of paper in the other. Me was apputeiiily taking notes of the hoist's speed ami engine revolutions when the disaster occurred.

THU INQUEST

CAUSE OF THE DISASTER

(British Official Wireless)

(Received this day at 9.40 a.m.) RUGBY, June 15

At the inquest on Sr H. Segrave. counsel for Sir Henry’s father stated evidence as to the probable cause of the disaster is now available and would be produced at an appropriate time.

After the inquest had been adjourned. Lord Brieknook, on behalf of the Marine Motoring Association, issued a statement signed by technical experts, who reported they. were agreed that the boat, engine and transmission gear were nil in perfect condition for the first two laps, and part of the third, when, apparently something happened to cause the disaster,

From aii examination of the bow before it sank, it appeared that the step on the port side was torn away. Later the missing portion of the stop was recovered and it funiisnos sufficient evidence to indicate the probable cause of the disaster, namely, that a floating obstacle was hit by the real - portion of the st op causing it to be torn off. Subsequently it had' been learned that twenty minutes after the disaster a water-logged branch of a tree, approximately .twenty feet in length, and three inches in diameter, was picked ii]) about one hundred yards astern of the boat and as near as can he ascertained in its direct path.