LOST IN THE ARCTIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 4 May 1931, Page 5

LOST IN THE ARCTIC

SEARCH FOR COURTAULD (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) COPENHAGEN, 2nd May. A message received here states that after a vain attempt to reach Courtauld by sleighs, Watkins, leader of the British expedition and two companions, with only a few provisions, set out from the base a fortnight ago and have not been heard of since. It is presumed that they are roaming the iceshect in the interior of Greenland. Meanwhile Hatton and Cousins feverishly repaired their Moth ’plane for the purpose of searching for Courtauld. They left Angma'gsalik on Saturday morning to seek Watkins and his companions. REYKJAVIK, 2nd May. The airman Ahrenberg left for Angmagsalik, returning later owing to fog. The Odin’s seaplane returned here owing to defective engines. REYKJAVIK, 2nd May. A message from Ahrenberg states that he has arrived. The patrol boat Odin has reached the icefield and found a suitable place fort the aeroplane to take off. LONDON, 3rd May. Courtauld’s family have so far spent £BOOO on rescue expeditions, so Mrs Courtauld told the “Evening Standard” in an interview. When in midocean on the way home she and her husband wirelessed the expedition at the base to “spare no expense to save Augustine, our son.”

WATKINS PARTY

NO NEED FOR ALARM

(Received 4th May, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON,, 3rd May. An Anginagsalik message states that Ahrenberg arrived, covering the 100 miles sea crossing in hours. There is no need for alarm regarding the Watkins party says a British Arctic air expedition authority. “I am in direct touch by wireless with Angmagsalik, where everything is going according to plan. Watkins Ims five weeks’ provisions. We do not expect to hear from them as yet as they had no wireless and aeroplane communication is not yet established.” _ , Major Sydney Cotton, an English airman, is joining in the search and is at present'fitting a monoplane with extra petrol tanks giving a range of 1200 miles and ten hours. He sails on the sth May for Reykjavik, whence he flies to Anginagsalik. He will carry packets of provisions ready to drop by parachute, each sufficient for a man for a fortnight, enabling succour to either Courtauld or the search parties.