Ascension : GREEN MOUNTAIN MYSTERY - CAN YOU HELP US SOLVE IT???
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 11.11.2010 (Article Archived on 25.11.2010)

During WWII, the Americans built two Radar sites on Green Mountain. One was part way up the ramps, close to Middleton’s Path.

During WWII, the Americans built two Radar sites on Green Mountain.  One was part way up the ramps, close to Middleton’s Path.  The second was “somewhere” off Elliot’s Pass.  Elliot’s Pass was built in 1839 by Lieutenant Wade, and opened in 1840 by Admiral Elliot, Commander in Chief of the West African Squadron.  This path was built to enable a lookout to be kept in the days when pirate ships were likely to appear off the island.

The Americans widened the side of the Pass which overlooks Breakneck Valley, so that they could transport men and supplies to Radar Site #2.  The men erected a sign on this widened portion renaming it “Reeser Road” after the bulldozer operator.  This caused a slight international incident.  Colonel Tomlinson, who had earlier requested that only signs of a military nature were to be erected on the island, complained to the US Forces Commander, Colonel Coughlin.  Tomlinson complained that the renaming of this path showed a “regrettable lack of respect for the memory of the naval officer who engineered the pass a hundred years ago.”  Colonel Coughlin replied that the sign was “a tribute to the bulldozer operator whose skill made possible its accomplishment”.  The sign was removed however.

On the 28^th of October 1944, after particularly heavy rains, a landslide occurred which blocked the pass.  For three days the 898^th Engineers worked to clear the blockade while the Radar staff had to walk around the other side of the mountain, carrying all their supplies.  The first vehicle was about to be driven through the reopened path when a larger landslide occurred, burying the bulldozer.  Luckily, the driver was able to jump clear before the vehicle was engulfed.  It was impossible to remove the dozer without further rock falls.

We have heard stories of parts of the bulldozer being visible up to at least twenty years ago.  We’ve had vague directions as to its exact location.  The overgrowth of ginger and other plants has made it difficult to pinpoint the location.  The Heritage Society would like to solve the mystery of exactly where the bulldozer is, and erect a WWII US Army sign at the site.

If you remember seeing the dozer, or know someone who might, please let us know!  Any hints are welcome.  We’ve searched and poked through the ginger but have been unsuccessful to date.  We’ve managed to find Radar Site #2, out on Summer Ridge, and plan to cut a path to this site.  However, the bulldozer location still eludes us.  It seems that Green Mountain is guarding its secrets well!