Segrave Mourned

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 999, 16 June 1930, Page 9

Segrave Mourned

TREE-BRANCH CAUSED SMASH Speed-Boat Step Torn Off WAS TRAVELLING AT NEARLY 120 M.P.H.

IT is reliably established that Sir Henry Segrave’s speedboat, Miss England 11., was travelling at 119.8 miles an hour at the moment of Friday’s disaster, which was apparently caused by a water-logged tree-branch snapping off a step on the bottom of the craft. The body of Halliwell, the engineer, has been recovered, a pencil and paper, for recording purposes, still clutched firmly in his hands.

Britain is mourning the death of Segrave, her greatest speed-king, who coveted the land, sea and air records.

British Official Wireless

Reed. 11.30 a.m. RUGBY, Sunday. Sir Henry Segrave’s death in Friday’s disaster on Lake Windermere after he had achieved the world’s water speed record, has deeply shocked the country, and the world’s most famous drivers on land and water pay eloquent tributes to his skill and courage, which were combined with an engaging modesty which made him one of the most popular sportsmen in England. At the inquest, counsel for Sir

tiating with the Air Ministry for the purchase or loan of one of the Schneider Cup seaplanes. At die opening of the Inquest the coroner said: “Some people may think this is a life which is recklessly thrown away. There may be something in that.’’

Henry’s father stated that evidence as to the probable cause of the disaster was now available, and would be produced at an appropriate time. After the inquest had been adjourned, Lord Brecknock, 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 all in perfect condition for the first two laps and for part of the third, when apparently something happened to cause the disaster. From an examination of the boat before it sank, it appeared that the front step on the port side was torn away. STEP RECOVERED Later the missing portion of the step was recovered, and it furnished sufficient evidence to indicate the probable cause of the disaster —namely, that a floating obstacle was hit by the rear portion of the step, causing it to be torn off. Subsequently it had been learned that, 20 minutes after the disaster, a waterlogged branch of a tree, approximately 20 feet in length, and three inches in diameter, was picked up 200 yards astern of the boat, and as near as can be ascertained in its direct path. Halliwell’s body was dragged up close to the sunken Miss England. A pencil was still clutched in one hand, and a piece of paper in the other. He was apparently taking notes of the boat’s speed and its engine revolutions when the disaster occurred. GOING NEARLY 120 M.P.H. A Press Association message says it is unofficially but reliably stated that the late Sir Henry Segrave had attained a speed of 119.8 miles an hour in the motor-boat Miss England 11. on Windermere when the fatal plunge occurred. Soundings show that the boat is lying in 195 feet of water. Among the theories suggested to explain the wrecking of Sir Henry Segrave’s motor-boat on Lake Windermere is that the Miss England ran into the wash caused by her own passage.

On the second lap the water was most turbulent. 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 the propeller stood the strain, as it was seen to be intact when the Miss England sank, but there is evidence of broken timber in the bottom of the boat. King George and Queen Mary, and the Prince of W'ales, have sent messages of sympathy to Lady Segrave. FATHER’S DRAMATIC RUSH A pathetic feature of the tragedy was Mr. Segrave’s dramatic dash in an airplane, when he heard of the accident to his son. A few minutes after the airplane left London news was received that his son was dead, but the father learnt the news only when the airplane reached Manchester, whence he motored to Windermere. Lady Segrave is prostrated with grief, and was unable to attend the inquest, which was opened and adjourned. Mr. Halliwell’s body has not been recovered. It is believed to be imprisoned in the boat, the salvaging of which is being considered. COVETED THREE RECORDS

It is revealed that Sir Henry Segrave cherished the hope of gaining the speed records on land and sea and in the air. Death frustrated the air record for which he had been nego-