Annals of the Enquiring - 1991 Vol 2 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Annals Of The Enquiring
Issue: Vol 2 No. 2
Date: March/April 1991
Publisher: Gerry Lovell
Country: United Kingdom
Frequency: Bi-Monthly

This issue of "Annals Of The Enquiring" delves into a diverse array of mysteries, from alleged extraterrestrial communications and ancient enigmas to paranormal occurrences and unexplained phenomena. The magazine maintains a broad approach, encouraging the free expression of ideas and information exchange.

Editor's Note: Ed's Mouth

Editor Gerry Lovell announces a move to Somerset and explains the decision to switch to a bi-monthly publication schedule to increase annual content and accommodate a backlog of submissions. He reaffirms the magazine's commitment to a broad approach, embracing various mysteries, and emphasizes the importance of information exchange. However, he also states a new policy to restrict future issues to groups and individuals who consistently cooperate, implying a need for more focused engagement. Lovell also announces the discontinuation of 'Lights In The Sky' reports, deeming them adequately covered by other sources and often ambiguous, unless they can be linked to a larger event.

Key Articles and Features

Stone Age X-Rays?

This article explores the possibility that prehistoric cave paintings and rock carvings, often dismissed as "primitive art," may contain a deeper insight into the perception and knowledge of Stone Age humans. The author discusses "X-ray" drawings found in various cultures, which detail skeletal outlines and internal organs, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of anatomy. The piece questions whether these ancient peoples were more attuned to their world than modern humans.

Easter Island Has Many Mysteries

This feature examines the enduring enigmas surrounding Easter Island. It recounts its discovery and renaming, its peculiar geographical positioning, and the monumental sphinx-like statues that adorn its landscape. The article highlights the indecipherable Rongo-rongo script found on wooden tablets, noting its similarity to writings found in the Indus Valley, further deepening the island's mystery.

Mars Calling Earth...

The article recounts a story from August 22, 1924, when a young Australian radio amateur, known as "Jerry," reportedly received intelligent signals from Mars. The signals, described as a code-like pattern, seemed to indicate a communication between the fourth planet (Mars) and the third planet (Earth). The author speculates whether this was a genuine contact and if future generations will uncover the truth.

An American Vampire in Boston

This piece details a horrifying incident from 1867 aboard a fishing boat where crew members mysteriously disappeared. The investigation led to a Portuguese seaman named "James Brown," who was accused of murder and vampirism. The article describes the gruesome discovery of a drained body and Brown's subsequent conviction and life sentence.

Fantasy Becomes Fact

This short piece highlights "A Century Of Inventio," a book published in 1655 by Edward, Marquess of Worcester, which contained seemingly fantastical ideas that have since become reality, such as explosive projectiles, robots, adding machines, and flying devices. It also mentions an astronomer's claim that life on Earth originated from exploding stars.

Crop Circles - Just Another Load Of Old Corn!

This article critically examines the phenomenon of crop circles that became prominent in the UK in 1990. The author suggests that these formations are likely the work of humans rather than extraterrestrial intelligence, reflecting human error and judgment. The piece argues that the geometric patterns are often not perfectly formed and that the process of their creation is more likely to be earthly than alien. It encourages enthusiasts to focus on understanding the earthly methods of creation.

Just Who Is Out There?

This section lists various organizations involved in UFO research and paranormal investigation in the UK, providing their addresses and associated publications. It also includes a list of books and magazines related to crop circles, recommending titles like "Crop Circles - A Mystery Solved" and "The Crop Watcher."

Vibrations, Power Sites And Crystal

This article explores theories connecting prehistoric stone circles and monuments to spacecraft propulsion and energy harnessing. It discusses the belief that these sites might form a gigantic network of power potential when tapped at the right vibratory pitch. The author also touches upon the idea that such monuments could be aligned in a geometrical pattern and mentions peculiar photographic anomalies experienced by a researcher studying these stones, suggesting an unknown form of energy or light.

UFO's Now We See Them, ...Now We Don't

This piece by Ron Brice discusses the apparent ability of UFOs to appear and disappear instantly, attributing this to the manipulation of light through refractive index or gravitation. The author explores the concept of a "g-force 'sandwich'" field that could make a craft invisible except for a fuzzy edge, suggesting that peculiar cloud formations might be a clue to spotting such craft. It also recounts a sighting by a Russian flag navigator in 1956.

Suffering From Wind

This short article discusses the phenomenon of tornadoes, noting their relative uncommonness in the UK but citing a significant number reported in 1981. It mentions historical tornado events, including a powerful one in 1810 and instances where tornadoes lifted objects like houses and even people.

What's The Difference?

This brief note highlights the completion of Charles Babbage's "Difference Engine" by the Science Museum, a computer designed in 1830. It also mentions an upcoming exhibition celebrating Babbage's 200th birthday.

Reigning Cats & Dogs!

This short piece reports on the increasing lifespan of domestic dogs and cats, noting that they are living significantly longer than in previous centuries.

Dream Of Another Life?

This is a personal account of John Walton, who experienced a recurring nightmare that eerily mirrored his real-life experiences, including encountering the woman from his dream. The article connects this to a sense of destiny and mentions Nostradamus's prediction about Hitler.

Hitler - Man Of Destiny

This article touches upon Adolf Hitler's early life, including an incident during World War I where he claimed to have heard a voice guiding him to safety. It also references Nostradamus's prediction about a man born of simple parents who would play a significant role in European history and mentions the role of Swiss astrologer Karl Ernst Krafft in providing predictions to the Nazis.

A Cat; A Saucer And Both Missed By A Whisker

This is an edited report from South America detailing an encounter where a witness, after seeing a wildcat, experienced a strange sensation and then observed a flying saucer. The object is described as metallic grey, with a specific shape and a band around its width. The witness notes the difficulty of believing such an experience.

Grave Tale: Foxes Hunters

This short anecdote recounts a hunting legend where a fox is said to run to the grave or home of a hunter after his death. It describes an incident where a fox, after the death of Major Gerald Gundry, was found and caught near his house, fulfilling the legend.

Robo-Clock!

This is an advertisement for a "Revolutionary Patent Mechanical Robot Clock" that displays local and other time zones.

End Of World Prediction Was Just A Yoke!

This article recounts the story of Mary Bateman, who claimed her hen would lay eggs inscribed with "Christ Is Coming," predicting the end of the world. She also offered salvation papers for a fee, ultimately being exposed as a fraud and facing the hangman's noose.

Mystery Cloud

A brief report from Norway about a bright, white cloud observed in the sky that emitted rays of light.

Copper Kettle Airship

A sighting of an oblong-shaped object with a powerful light, described as an airship, over Peterborough in 1909.

Triple Sun

A report of three suns seen at St. Malo, along with an upside-down rainbow.

Monster Cruise

An account of a large, "rubbery-looking fin," followed by a long neck and turtle-shaped head, emerging from the sea off the Brazilian coast in 1905.

Speeding Globe

A report of a dark globular object travelling at high speed across the sky over Norwich.

Crafty Signals

Sightings of objects maneuvering and making signals in the sky over Lemberg and Tamopol in 1913.

Monster Portions

This article discusses Bill Gibbons' planned expedition to the northern Congo to search for a dinosaur-like creature known as the Makele-Mbembe, or "One who stems rivers," which has been reported by local tribes and missionaries since the 18th century. Previous expeditions have yielded little evidence.

A Frail Slant On Oregon

This section highlights "Strange," a publication edited by Mark Chorvinsky, which covers UFOs, ghosts, monsters, and other mysteries. It also mentions "The Journal Of Strange Phenomena," edited by Bob Rickard and Paul Sieveking, which documents unusual events and Forteana.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Annals Of The Enquiring" include UFO sightings and theories, ancient mysteries and artifacts (Easter Island, prehistoric art, stone circles), unexplained phenomena (crop circles, strange lights, mysterious creatures), and historical accounts of unusual events and individuals (vampirism, Hitler, purported seers). The editorial stance, as expressed by Gerry Lovell, is one of open-minded inquiry, encouraging the exchange of information and embracing a broad range of subjects, while also seeking to refine the focus and engagement with its readership.

Title: Annals Of The ENQUIRING
Issue: Volume 2 # 2
Date: March/April 1991
Publisher: THE BENCH PRESS
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Annals Of The ENQUIRING presents a collection of intriguing articles spanning flight, astronomy, archaeology, physics, and unexplained phenomena.

Articles

Flight of Fancy

The issue opens with a recounting of R. Anderson's claim, published in Cassell's Saturday Journal on January 4, 1893, of achieving the first man-powered flight. Stranded in Zanzibar, Anderson fashioned a flying contraption from bamboo, leaves, and a fan-shaped wing, claiming to have travelled approximately 100 miles in 18 hours. He asserted that the flight occurred some six years prior to his letter.

Wise Men Followed White Dwarf's Nova

This article discusses the astronomical event known as the Star of Bethlehem, noting its lack of substantiation in Western records but referencing ancient Chinese and Korean astronomical texts. An entry from the History of the Former Han Dynasty describes a 'hui-hsing' that appeared for over 70 days, interpreted by investigators as a nova – a thermonuclear explosion on the surface of a white dwarf in a binary system.

A SOLAR TEMPLE

An archaeological discovery near Godmanchester, Cambs, is reported: a solar temple predating Stonehenge. This Neolithic site, dating back to 2900 BC, is described as being more elaborate than others found in Europe and once consisted of vertical wooden posts and obelisks aligned to solar and lunar cycles.

A Mystery: Earth's Heartbeat

Physicists at the University of Rome have detected a phenomenon they describe as the Earth 'throbbing' with a heartbeat. This pulse occurs precisely every 1 hour, 57 minutes, and 57.3 seconds. Experiments initiated in 1983 involved setting up complex gravity detection apparatus with balanced aluminum blocks in Italy and Switzerland. The simultaneous recording of vibrations in both locations suggests causes beyond local error, potentially linked to the Earth's movement through the galaxy, though its connection to lunar and solar tides is also noted.

HE GOT IT TOGETHER

This piece draws a parallel between the fictional 'Six Million Dollar Man' and a 19th-century individual in London. The subject, formerly a coal supplier for a steam engine, suffered severe injuries when it exploded. In 1847, a surgeon undertook the task of reconstructing his severely disabled and disfigured patient, using a glass eye, wig, wooden limbs, a silver lower jaw with artificial teeth, and parts made of 'cadulcholic' for his skull and palate. The narrative also mentions a large portion of his abdomen being reconstructed.

Always On Time

This article reflects on the precise and accurate nature of the universe, likening it to a well-tuned railroad system where celestial bodies travel without collision. It highlights the importance of the Earth's speed, tilt, and the precise distances of the sun, moon, and atmosphere for the existence of life. The author emphasizes that the current conditions are finely balanced, with slight variations potentially leading to catastrophic outcomes like roasting, freezing, or devastating tides.

MR. LONG'S COLUMN

This column features several brief reports:

• A CLOSE ENCOUNTER: On January 17, an iron asteroid, approximately 30ft wide, passed within 106,000 miles of Earth. Astronomers estimate that an impact would have been comparable to a 'very large bomb,' creating a crater of about 300ft wide and 100ft deep.
• SMELL THE ARCMA: The Magellan probe has explored about 44 percent of Venus, revealing that its atmosphere formed around the same time as Earth's. It is composed of sulphur and carbon dioxide, and the planet experiences high winds and shows evidence of lava flows.
• IT'S MET: Evidence from American and Soviet sources suggests the existence of multiple black holes in our galaxy. Dr. Rashid Sunyaev, Chief Scientist of the Space Research Institute in Moscow, reported observing objects with temperatures about 200,000 times higher than the Sun's surface.

YOUR LETTERS

FORT'S AERIAL CANNON SPIKED ?

William Watson of Bristol, Avon, poses a question regarding the unexplained 'booms' reported in Victorian times, such as 'Barisal guns,' 'Mistpoeffers,' and 'Brantidi.' He notes that these phenomena, similar to distant artillery or thunder, have mystified people worldwide. Despite investigations by Bristol University, the police, and a Royal Naval Air Station, no satisfactory explanation has been found, and supersonic aircraft like Concorde have been absolved. Watson asks if anyone can provide an update on this age-old mystery or if it has ceased to exist.

The editor notes that an upcoming article by Howard Hunter will examine this phenomenon and 'mystery aircraft' reports related to the Bristol Channel.

Hollywood Actor's Ghost Story

Actor Robert Wagner is convinced that the ghost of his late wife, Natalie Wood, haunts his New England-style mansion. He, along with family members and staff, has reported sightings and experiences, including seeing a tear form in her eye while looking at her portrait and smelling her favorite perfume.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores phenomena that defy conventional explanation, ranging from personal accounts of extraordinary events (like man-powered flight and ghost sightings) to scientific anomalies (white dwarf novas, Earth's pulse, black holes) and historical mysteries (unexplained booms). The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to submit their own accounts and questions, as evidenced by the 'Your Letters' section and the promise of future articles on reader-submitted topics. There is a clear interest in the unexplained, the historical, and the potentially groundbreaking aspects of science and human experience.