SPEED BOAT DISASTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1930, Page 8

SPEED BOAT DISASTER.

There will be general regret throughout the world at the tragic termination to the trials of the new Britieh-made speed boat Miss England 11. The death of Sir Henry Segrave and one of his companions in the ill-fated vessel is another instalment of the price that it seems must always be paid for the advance of mechanics applied to human service, j Whenever such payment includes the iloss of brave lives the question natural- ! ly arises whether the attainment of the ‘ end in view is worth while. Yet without taking risks there can be little progress in any science, and the value of the progress achieved by those who adventure life and limb can only be judged in ite relation to the advance of civilisation. On the face of it the loss of young lives in an attempt to drive, a motor-boat faster than has yet been ; achieved seems scarcely worth while. On 'the other hand, directly contentment is felt with any mechanical servants of humanity their deterioration has really begun. Great Britain has been challenged by competitors in various trades- ana i professions in which she was at one i time supreme. The record Tor skill and : faithful workmanship in construction is f the greatest asset the British manufaci tmer of machinery possesses, but it has ! taken him some time to realise that its • application to present day circumstances i must be as effective as its superiority jin design or workmanship. That the • lesson is being learnt has -been proved :by such events as the Schneider Cup, • won by British-made aeroplanes against ! those from all other countries where air- < craft is treated seriously, or in the win- ■ iiing by one of the victims of Friday’s ■disaster, Sir Henry Segrave,' of the { world’s record in motor-car speed. In ibis last and tragic experiment Sir Henry {Segrave was able to create'a new record •in speed of motor-boats, though the i cause of the disaster which followed has yet to be determined. With explorers, scientists and all who help to blaze the trail for human progress he and his companions displayed the pluck and enj durance that are proudly characterised as British and have come to be accepted las a matter of course from all Avho essay I great things. To their kindred and friends the loss of life will be the most poignant memory of the latest speed experiment but it is to be hoped that the sacrifice will not be in vain. ThA cause of their death will -doubtless be discovered and guarded against for the future. The record they made will live and should prove an inspiration and a guide to those who seek to add still further lustre to the fame of British skill and to extend the service of machiinery for the benefit of mankind.