Bilk

Magazine Overview

This issue of Bilk, dated May 1989, is a newsletter addressing a variety of unusual phenomena, including cryptozoology, unexplained sightings, and fortean events. It is published by Ulrich Magin from Mutterstadt, West Germany, with a subscription price of 15 German Mark per annum.

Nahuel Huapi, Argentina

The issue reports on the lake monster of Nahuel Huapi, Argentina, based on articles from the Hessisch-Niedersächsische Allgemeine and Luxemburger Wort. The monster, locally known as 'the hide' or 'Nahuelito', is described as a gigantic water serpent with fins and humps, or a swan-like creature with a snake's head, an upturned boat, or a floating log. It is said to surface only in calm summer conditions. Local Patagonian Indian legends speak of a formless mass. Theories suggest it could be a surviving dinosaur, a result of secret nuclear testing, or a secret submarine. Scientists investigating the phenomenon believe it might be a mirage. The story gained significant media attention in Argentina during the 'silly season' of summer, with movie films of the phenomenon shown on TV. The report notes similarities to Nessie and mentions elements from other legends, including a shapeless island-beast described by J.L. Borges.

Australia

An account from Australia describes Almudj, the rainbow-serpent, a creator figure in the Northern Territories' dreamtime. Almudj, who created lakes and mountains, can still be seen as a rainbow and resides in dark ponds. Disturbing it by swimming or throwing stones can cause thunderstorms, as illustrated by an incident involving an archaeologist and a local guide named Kapirigi. This legend is compared to similar European tales where disturbing lake spirits can lead to floods or storms.

Venezuela

Notes from Uwe George's book "Inseln in der Zeit" discuss a 1955 sighting of a small dinosaur on Auyan-Tepui. Further information suggests that around 1988, scientists from Terramar found large, three-toed prints resembling those of bipedal dinosaurs on a dry mudbed in the Shangri La-Valley on Auyan-Terui. The possibility of a tapir was considered unlikely by a respected geologist. The original 1955 witness had reportedly seen small plesiosaurs.

April Fools' Reports

Two reports are presented as April Fools' Day news. A British tabloid featured a 'grainy exclusive' picture of a brontosaurus named 'Pizza' as London Zoo's new attraction. Meanwhile, 'Die Welt' reported that scientists discovered a dragon's skull near Königswinter, Germany, a site associated with dragon legends. The article was illustrated with a doctored photo of a tyrannosaurus skull.

Bibliography

A reference is made to A. E. Wilder Smith's creationist book "Evolution im Kreuzverhör", which mentions the Loch Ness monster as a possible surviving dinosaur and refers to a 1977 carcass find off New Zealand (a decomposed shark).

Cryptozoology News and Publications

• Fortean Times 51 has been published, featuring articles on Swedish subs, the lizard man, the Cefn Cave dragon, Black Sea sea serpents, and a review of a book by Meurger.
• The Nessletter, edited by R.R. Hepple, is recommended for news and views on the Loch Ness search.
• Champ Channels, a newsletter by Joe Zarzynski, has been reformatted and published its Vol.6, Nr. 1, including reports on alleged Champ eggs.

Unidentified Submerged Objects (USOs)

• Lake Champlain: A report details the detection of a large aquatic object underwater, possibly a submarine or foreign object, recorded by Jack O'Keefe and Jim Kennard in August 1988. A 50 ft long and 6 ft wide form was recorded near the lake bottom.
• Irish Sea: The Daily Post reported on incidents where foreign submarines become entangled in fishing nets, leading to the sinking of trawlers. It is suggested that real submarines, possibly NATO or East Bloc ones, are involved, rather than a response to Swedish hysteria. A Belgian trawler, Tijl Uilenspiegel, vanished off Blackpool, and over eight years, 17 boats have disappeared in the region.
• Bornholm: A similar case involved a Polish or German submarine. On April 4, a Danish trawler was dragged underwater by an unidentified submarine south of Bornholm, but the crew escaped. East Germany was conducting maneuvers in the area. On March 30, 1988, a West German submarine sank after becoming caught in the nets of a Danish trawler.

Marine Life Reports

• Whales: A 17m sperm whale stranded in Belgium; over 500 dead dolphins washed ashore on the French Atlantic coast within 48 hours; 100 dead whales stranded in Punta Arenas, Chile; and a 4m young whale beached in Cuba.
• Sharks: A 2-tonne thresher shark was caught off Elba, Italy, following a shark panic. A 27-year-old surfer was attacked by a shark off Adelaide, Australia.
• Crocodile: A giant crocodile, over 7 meters long and estimated to be over 100 years old, has killed its 13th victim in South Malaysia.

Forteana

• Rain of Fish: On February 5, sardines rained down in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Locals reported hearing noises like hail before being pelted by fish. Scientists suggested updrafts carried the fish into the atmosphere.
• Ghost Islands: German scientists discovered that two islands in the Antarctic, mapped in 1961, do not exist and were likely icebergs.

Erik Beckjord's Cryptozoological Museum

Erik Beckjord announced the opening of the Cryptozzological Museum at 18711 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California. The museum's exhibits primarily feature photographs of monsters, including Bigfoot and aquatic creatures. Beckjord also plans a new expedition to Scottish lochs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Bilk revolve around unexplained phenomena, cryptozoology, and fortean events. The publication appears to be a compilation of news clippings and reports from various sources, presenting a wide array of unusual occurrences without necessarily endorsing any specific explanation. The editorial stance seems to be one of documenting and disseminating information on these topics, encouraging readers to consider the possibilities beyond conventional explanations. The inclusion of publications like Fortean Times and Nessletter suggests an interest in ongoing research and discussion within these fields. The magazine also touches upon the influence of creationism on cryptozoology, indicating a broader interest in the intersection of scientific and alternative belief systems.