ARCTIC “GHOST TRAIN”

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 February 1937, Page 14

ARCTIC “GHOST TRAIN”

EXPLORER TELLS OF NOISE. LONDON, December 30. A strange and terrifying Arctic phenomenon was described by Mr. Augustine Courtauld, the explorer, yesterday. when he addressed about 200 children at the Royal Empire Society Hall. Northumberland Avenue, W.C. Pie thrilled his audience with the story of his adventures during the five winter months which he spent alone on the Greenland ice-cap in 1930-31 when on a surveying expedition. He stayed on the ice-cape to make observations of the weather and temperature conditions. From December 5, till March 21 all went well, but then his hut was overwhelmed by snow. He remained imprisoned in the darkness until rescued on May 5 by an expedition which cost about £20,000. Describing his experiences, he said: “One day, while I was at the ice station, I heard a noise. It was like a tube train coming down a tunnel, and getting nearer and nearer, and it ended in a great crash overhead. “I was very frightened, and could not think of anything that would account for it. The first time I went outside I found that nothing had happened. That made it all the more mysterious. “It was not just a case of nerves, because other people have noticed it. Scientists explain it as a settlement of the snow on a very big scale. It was most terrifying.” Mr. Courtauld said that while he was on the ice-cap he became increasingly aware that some other Power was sharing his solitude. “I did not feel alone, and felt that this Power, whom one may call God, would see me through," ho said. ..He felt this especially on the two occasions when he heard the mysterious noise.

150 M.P.H. GALES. "I found that the country, which we had been told was anti-cyclonic—-windless—had some of the strongest gales in the world.” said Mr. Courtauld. “Our instrument showed winds of 100 m.p.li. for long spells, and actually registered 150 ni.p.h. He said that at the start lie used to go out. every three hours to take weather observations, and he lived quite comfortably. Then gales began, and lie had io dig away the snow. As lie had frost-bitten toes, he could net remain outside for more than a short time, anti gradually the entrance of tlie house became snowed under. Later there came a terrible blizzard and Hie driven snow came in through the trapdoor like high-pressure steam. By the morning it was impossible to get out. “I had to resign myself to keeping indoors and sit and (io nothing,” lie said.

He showed some remarkable photographs and lantern slides, and spoke for nearly an hour and a half, while his youthful audience sat spellbound. After the lecture, at which Lt.-Col. G. P. Vanier, secretary, office of the High Commissioner for Canada, presided. Sir Archibald Weignall. chairman of the Royal Empire Society, invited the children to inspect the society's new building and visit the newspaper room, where some TOO papers arrive daily from all parts of the Empire.