SPEED-BOAT FATAUT

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18047, 16 June 1930, Page 7

SPEED-BOAT FATAUT

CAUSE OF THE DISASTER. [

BRANCH OF TREE FOUND.

PROBABLY STRUCK BY BOAT<

(Official Wireless.) \ RUGBY, June 15. At the inquest on Sir Henry Segrave counsel for Sir Henry’s father stated that evidence as to the probable cause, of the disaster-was now available ana would be produced at the appropriate time. , u After the inquest had been adjourned Lord Brecknock, on behalf or the Marine Motoring Association, issuea a statement, signed by technical experts, who reported that they A ver agreed that the boat, engine, and transmission gear were all in perlec condition for the first two laps and part of the third, when apparently something happened to cause the disaster. From an examination of the boat before it sank it appeared that tna front step on the port side was torn away. Later the missing portion of the step was recovered, and it furnished sufficient evidence to indicatethe 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 water-logged 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 FOUND. PENCIL AND PAPER IN HAND. TAKING NOTES OF SPEED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received June 16, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, June 14. 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 had apparently been taking notes of the boat’s speed and engine revolutions when -the disaster oc« curred. SIR H. SEGRAVE’S AMBITION. A THREE-FOLD. RECORD. BY LAND, WATER AND AIR. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright, (Received June 16, 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. It has been revealed that the late Sir H. Segrave cherished the hope of gaining speed records for land, water and air, but death frustrated the last named for which he had been negotiating with the Air Ministry for the purchase or loan of one of the Schneider seaplanes. At the opening of the Inquest the coroner said: “Some may think that, this is a life which has been recklessly’ thrown away. There may be some-; thing in that.” After formal indenti-'j fleation, the inquest was adjourned. (