The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-06-13
SggruUe, King of Speed, Killed
as Boat UbSetS at 1OO-MiIe
Pace in Setting Ne70 Record
Holder of Auto Mark Is
Hurled With Two Into
Water; Mechanic Dies.

BIZ United Press
WINDERMERE, England, June
13-Major Sir Henry Segrave's
speed boat, Miss England, hurting
over the water of Lake Windermere
at more than 100 miles an hour for
a new world speed record, suddenly
dived like bullet today, hurting
her crew of three into the water,
injuring Segrave fatally.
Sir Henry and his mechanic, E.
WillcockS, were taken out of the
water in a daring rescue by man
and woman spectator.
The other mechanic, Halliwell,
never appeared above the surface
again.
Segrave was one of the most
famous automobile and motor boat
speed drivers in the world, noted for
MS skill and daring.
Lady Segrave at His Side
Segrave died at the residence
BELL Grange" on the Lancashire
side of Lake Windermere, where he
had been carried. Lady Segrave
was with him.
Doctors believed his death was
accelerated by the fact that a rib,
broken when he was catapulted into
the water, punctured one lung,
Both arms also were broken.
He already held the world auto
mobile speed record of 231 miles
an hour, made in Florida and
shortly before the accident had set
new world motor boat record with
an average of 1916 miles an hour.
The record was made on two
runs which preceded the third and
fatal one. The official time for the
first run was 96.41 miles an hour,
and for the second, 101.11.
The previous record was held by
the American, Gar Wood, at 1874
miles an hour.
Segrave was estimated to have
been going well above 100 miles ali
hour on the third run when the
boat, roaring over the water with
deafening noise, suddenly disap-
peared in a great shower of water.
Hundreds See Accident
Hundreds of spectators saw the
accident and all manner of craft
hurried to the scene. But it re-
manned for spectator, named King,
to make the first gallant attempt
at rescue. King dived into the water
fully clothed and brought up Sc
grave. A woman helped them both
into boat and then tainted.
The cause of the accident was not
determined. Miss England had q
gaping hole in the bottom. 1t was
believed either she had struck q
piece of driftWood or one of the
whirling propellers broke and
crashed through the hull.
Segrave was believed to have been
the first man ever to travel more
than one hundred miles an hour in
a speed boat. He wore his special
''armor" clothing, including heavy
life belt during the attempt, but the
force with which he struck the wa
ter was deadly.
Wife Was Nervous
Shortly before Miss England's
trial, Lady Segrave told the press:
II have been confident all along,
but today I feel nervy, wondering
whether everything will be all
right"
SuperStitious spectators comment
ed on Segrave's recent run of i'll
luck and admired his courage for
making his attempt on Friday, the
18th. A spectator described the &C
cident as follows:
Zone second Miss England was
skimming at 100 miles an hour
while the foam was breaking from
her bows and the engines screaming
deafeningly. The next second she
seemed to dive like bullet and the
scream of the engines died. When
we saw the boat again, she was
floating like a crippled fish on the
surface"