COLD WAVE IN U.S.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20507, 18 March 1941, Page 7

COLD WAVE IN U.S.

23 PERSONS PERISH WIND REACHES 85 M.P.H. SWEPT AWAY ON ICEFLOE FISHERMEN IN DANGER (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) tßecd. March 18, 9 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 17. Twenty-three persons were found dead yesterday in eastern and north Dakota and western Minnesota as a result of a sudden cold wave in which the wind reached a velocity of 85 miles an hour. One hundred automobiles were stalled or in ditches along the highways. Many victims apparently perished after leaving their cars and attempting to walk in the gaie and bitter cola. The authorities are trying to locate a bus which broke down between Grand Forks and Larimore. It is believed that 10 persons spent the night in it. A report from Lansing, Michigan, says that between 30 and 37 persons, including two women, were in. danger of freezing and drowning on an icefiod which broke away and was swept into Lake Superior while they were fishing through holes in the ice.

Six persons were washed ashore on smaller pieces, indicating that the floe is breaking up, this increasing the peril of those remaining on it. Waves 25ft. in height, ice and zero visibility prevented the Coast guard attempts at rescuing them.