SPEED DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1930, Page 6

SPEED DISASTER

CAUSE OF TRAGEDY

L United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.]

LONDON, June 14

The world’s speed boat record 'of ninety-eight point seventy-five miles ail hour (not ninety-six point forty-one miles) cost England the life of one of its most gallant sportsmen. The newspapers unitedly mourn the loss of Sir H. Segrave and Halliwell, while paying a tribute to their indomitable gallantry. The papers state that apparently a step bolted to the bottom of the boat, Hiss England 11, shifted slightly, admitting water between it and the boat’s true bottom, thus creating a terrific brake, and making the vessel unmanageable.

SPEED OF 119 MILES P.H

LONDON, June 14

It is unofficially, but reliably' stated, that the late Sir H. Segrave had attained speed of 119 point eight miles an hour when his fatal plunge occurred.

Soundings show that the boat Miss England 11., is in 195 feet of water.

ANOTHER THEORY

LONDON, June 14

Another theory of the accident is that “Miss England” ran into the wash that was caused by her own passage on her second lap. The water was most turbulent when she came back on the third lap at such a. speed that even a wave of moderate height would have been sufficient to make her leap from the water. Then, when she touched the water again the blow might have -ripped away her hull. It seems certain that her propellor stood the strain as it was seen to be intact when “Miss England 11.,” sank but there was evidence of broken timber in the bottom of the boat.

SMALL BRANCH OF TREE.

;; ■- , LONDON, June 14. The salvaging of “Miss England” is being considered. Breakn'ock’s statement points out that the greater portion of the front step was torn away by the waterlogged branch of a tree three feet in length and three inches in diameter, which was picked up astern of “Miss England” after the disaster.

It is believed to have caused the damage. The main hull and machinery of the speed boat were undamaged.

THE INQUEST OPENED

LONDON, June 14

Lady Segrave was prostrated with grief, and she was unable to attend the inquest, which was opened, and was then adjourned. Halliwell’s body has not yet been recovered. It is believed to be imprisoned in the boat.

lIIS LAST QUERY

LONDON, June 14

Sir 11. Segrave was conscious foi two minutes before he died. Though he was in terrible pain, lie was so much master of himself that he asked by how much he had beaten the record.

Sir H. Segrave died of internal haemmorhage, his ribs on the right side having punctured his lung.

VICTIM’S FATHER

LONDON, June 14

A pathetic feature of the Segrave tragedy was that the father of Sir H. Segrave made a dramatic dash in an aeroplane when he heard of the accident. A few minutes after his aeroplane left london, however, the news was received that his son was dead, but the father only learnt the news when the plane he was in reached Manchester, from whence he motored to Lake Windermere.

BROTHER IN MELBOURNE

MELBOURNE, June 15

Mr C. R. Segrave is at present on a holiday in Melbourne with his wife. He is a brother to the late Sir Henry Segrave.