SEGRAVE TRAGEDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1930, Page 5

SEGRAVE TRAGEDY

CAUSE OF ACCIDENT CONFLICTING THEORIES I [BY CABLE—PBESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, June 13. The world’s speed boat record of 98.75 miles an hour 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 tribute to their indomitable gallantry. The papers state that apparently ,a step bolted to the bottom of-the boat, Miss England 11., shifted slightly, admitting water between it and the boat’s true bottom, thus creating a terrific brake, and making the vessel unmanageable. Another theory of the accident is that “Miss England” ran into the wash that was caused by her own passage on tier second, lap. Tlie 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 propeller stood the strain, as it was seen to be intact when “Miss England IL” sank, but there was evidence of broken timber in the bottom of the boat.

A DEATHBED INQUIRY.

LONDON, June 11. 1

Sir H. Segrave was conscious for two minutes before ho died. Though he was in terrible pain, he was so much master of himse’f that he asked by how much he had beaten the re? cord.

Sir H. Segrave died of internal 'haemorrhage, his ribs on the right side having punctured his lung. 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. The father of Sir 11. Segrave made a dramatic dash in an aeroplane when he heard of the accident. A few minutes after his aeron'ane left London, however, the news was received that his son was dead but the fatheronly learnt the news when tin piano he was in reached Manchester, from whence he motored to Lake Wipdermore.

BRANCH OF TREE BLAMED. , 1 LONDON, June 14. It is unofficially, but reliably stated, that the lato Sir H. Segrave had attained the speed of 119.8 miles an hour "when his fatal plunge occurred. Soundings show that the boat, Miss England 11., is in 195 feet of water. The salvaging of “Miss England” is being considered 1 . Lord Breaknock’s statement is 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 th© disaster. It is believed to have caused the disaster. Tho main hull and machinery 7 of tho speed boat were undamaged. • '

LORD BRECKNOCK’S STATEMENT.

[official wireless.J

RUGBY, June 15.

At tho inquest, counsel foi* Sir Henry’s father stated that the evidence as to the probable cause of the disaster was now' available,. and would be produced at the appropriate time. After tho inquest had been adjourned, Lord Brecknock, on behalf of the Marine Motoring Association, issued a statement signed by technical experts, who reported that they were agreed tho boat engine and transmission gear were all in perfect condition for the first two laps, and part of the third, when apparently 7 something happened to cause the disaster. From an examination of the bow before it sank, it appeared that part of the step on the port-side was torn away. Later, the. missing portion of tho step was received, 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 tho step, 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 up about 100 yards astern of the boat, and as near as can be ascertained, in its direct path.

HALLIWELL’S BODY FOUND.

LONDON, June 14. Halliwell’s body was dragged up close to the sunken “Miss England 11. A .pencil was clutched in one hand and a piece of paper in the other. He was apparently taking notes of the boat’s speed and engine revolutions, when the disaster occurred. LIFE THROWN AWAY? LONDON, June 15. At the opening of the inquest, the Coroner said: Some may think that this is a life which had been recklessly thrown away. There may be something in that. After formal identification, the inquest was adjourned. TRIPLE CROWN DESIRED. (Recd. June 16, 10 a.m.) LONDON, June 15.

It is revealed that Sir H. Segrave cherished the hope of gaining speed records for land, sea and air, but death frustrated the last named, for which he had been negotiating with the Air Ministry, to purchase or loan one of the Schneider seaplanes. AUSTRALIAN MESSAGES. ' 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. ADELAIDE, June 15. Sir Henry Segrave’s famous “Golden Arrow” is on view at. the Adelaide Motor Show. The news of Sir 11. Segrave’s death caused profound re,gret. x .' « ' ■ v A ' » ■ •. '