BILK

Magazine Overview

This is BILK Number 15, published in May 1987 by Ulrich Magin in West Germany. BILK appears bi-monthly and covers topics related to cryptozoology and unexplained phenomena. A subscription costs DM 15, £ 4, or $ 8, and contributions are welcome.

Behemoth

The issue features several reports on lake monsters. The 'Behemoth' of Lake Stor near Ostersund, Sweden, is highlighted, with Sten Rentz-Hog of the Ostersund Museum planning an expedition. Rentz-Hog claimed over 400 witnesses since 1635, a figure the author considers potentially exaggerated, similar to Nessie witness counts. The source for this report is an AP report from Stockholm.

In Lough Bray, Wicklows, Ireland, the author personally observed a dark black hump moving through the water, leaving a foamy wake, followed by a long black neck that then dissolved into a waterspout. Within an hour, approximately 20 more similar phenomena were seen, though no pictures were taken. A note mentions a genuine fake photo of a monster from Lough Leane, Co. Kerry, Eire, from McEwan's recent book.

Lake Willoughby, Vermont, is mentioned for a 1971 sighting of a dark, 2 or 3-humped monster, with another mention of a 'wake effect' in Champ Channels.

Memphre, the local lake monster of Lake Mephremmagog, Vermont, is being studied by the International Dracontology Society, formed by Jacques Boisvert. Since 1892, there have been 54 sightings and 120 witnesses. Specific sightings include B. Malloy in 1983 seeing Memphre from a hilltop, B. Whitcomb in September 1980 seeing it with a long neck emitting a 'lonely cry', and U & R Fortin in June 1986 describing it as a big lizard splashing with its back legs. In September 1986, a couple claimed to have filmed the monster off the Quebec shore, though Boisvert suspects the head is a snorkel. The society issues a newsletter, but the author has not seen a copy. Memphre is generally described as 5-60 ft long, with a thin neck and a snake's or horse's head, and possessing fins. Champ Channels reports 75 sightings so far, with 5 in 1985.

A short note from The Scotsman discusses a sonar expedition at Loch Ness. The Info Journal No. 51 reports a monster sighting in China's Lake Tianchi early in 1987 or late 1986 by tourists. Previous mentions in BILK and French press reports from May 1985 are noted, along with sightings in 1980 and 1986.

The Spanish lake creature mentioned in a previous BILK issue has not been found in the Spanish papers consulted.

Leviathan

A giant shark off Italy, mentioned in BILK 13/14, is followed up with an original Italian article from Corriere della Sera. The author is trying to get it translated.

Steller's Sea-Cow is discussed, with The Info Journal No. 51 featuring a report on its possible survival. The author highly recommends this piece by French cryptozoologist Michel Raynal.

Kraken

Regarding Bahamas/Bermudas, Science Frontiers quotes Natural History about a chain of caves and holes linking the Bahamas and Bermudas on the ocean floor, possibly connecting to the Mediterranean. This raises the question of whether the giant octopuses of Andros (the Lusca), Bermuda, and the Mediterranean are the same species.

An article in the Info Journal No. 51 by the author is referenced regarding the myth of giant octopuses in Great Britain.

USO

On May 29, 1985, Mr. Lakeman observed a submarine lightwheel in the Java Sea, as reported in Science Frontiers.

Flying Saucer Review reports a UFO at Loch Ness on July 3, 1986, described as an 'enormous golden light' by Mr. & Mrs. Walters. The author also refers to his own article on UFOs over Loch Ness in the Info Journal No. 51. The same issue of FSR mentions UFO crashes into Lake Storsjö, Sweden, in 1946.

A strange cloud over the sea at Northumberland, UK, was reported by The Scotsman.

This & That

This section compiles various unusual reports:

• A photo of a model dragon from a festival at Furth im Wald (Scotsman).
• A photo of a piper at Loch Ness (Scotsman).
• Starfish falling from the sky at Oban (Scotsman).
• A whale stranded at Dunure, Ayrshire (Scotsman).
• Mass stranding of 2000 dolphins near Piracanga, Bahia, Brazil, where only females and young died, confusing zoologists. A similar mass-death of 103 turtles occurred in Apulia, Italy (Die Rheinpfalz, Süddeutsche Zeitung).
• A Komodo dragon was donated to the Madrid Zoo by the Indonesian government (ABC).
• A report about Grimm's expedition to the Titanic wreck mentions his previous quest for the Loch Ness Monster (ABC).
• A giant bird sighting near Lake Champlain is mentioned, along with similar flying monsters observed at Falmouth and Loch Hourne (Champ Channels).
• Marine bio-luminescence was observed near Travemünde, Germany (Die Rheinpfalz).
• A satirical piece on Loch Ness appeared in Stern magazine.
• An ostrich stranded at the Scilly Islands, Cornwall (D. Telegraph).
• A cartoon depicting M. Thatcher as a sea-serpent circling the Falkland Islands (Frankfurter Rundschau).
• Geo magazine published a report on mythical animals with psychological analyses, including pictures of the LNM (Surgeon's Picture) and Shipton's Yeti tracks.
• The living coelacanth was in the news: German TV (ZDF) reported Japanese scientists filmed a living coelacanth for the first time, and New Scientist stated German biologist Hans Fricke also filmed one.

Thanks and Closing

The author thanks Anne Bruder, J.J. Barloy, The GEP, Loren Coleman, Joe Zarzynski, and Michel Raynal. The issue concludes with a quote from James Joyce's 'Stephen Hero' and a note that the next BILK will be in July.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BILK are lake monsters, UFOs, and other unexplained phenomena, reflecting a strong interest in cryptozoology and eyewitness accounts. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting and investigating these phenomena, with the author often providing personal observations and critical commentary on the reliability of sources and numbers. There is a clear effort to compile information from various international sources, including newspapers, magazines, and scientific journals.