Bilk - no 033 - 1990 01

Magazine Overview

This is the January 1990 issue of Bilk, a publication by Ulrich Magin based in West Germany. It is available via subscription for 15 DM for six issues. This particular issue is dedicated to the theme of 'intelligent life in the oceans'.

Behemoth

The 'Behemoth' section delves into reports of large, mysterious creatures. It begins with Lake Manasarowar in Tibet, a sacred site for Buddhists, where a 1988 book by Peter Somerville-Large recounts William Moorcroft's 1812 discovery of a 'giant animal or fish like a porpoise' in the lake. The creature reportedly stayed over water for a long time and had a brown color and apparent hairs, with Somerville suggesting it might have been an oversized otter.

The German movie 'Nessie' (1985), directed by R. Zehetgruber, is mentioned as having been screened on German TV. The film featured special effects with a monster modeled after Peter Costello's ideas, but was described as having a shallow and stupid script.

F. de Sarre is cited regarding a shark caught in a French river, suggesting it could have been a shark. An article by Ch. Thomas in 'Cryptozoology' (7, 1988) discusses the so-called Nessie report by St Columba, with Thomas concluding that the saint may have seen a large pinniped.

Isis

The 'Isis' section covers a variety of phenomena, starting with a report from Onitsha, Nigeria, where a young man drowned in the River Niger while trying to catch a goat sacrificed to 'the mermaid of the river'. Further information on Nigerian mermaid myths can be found in Fortean Times 46.

In South Africa, the author notes two types of humanoids encountered in UFOs: dwarfs in diving suits and frog-like creatures, referred to as Nix or water spirits. This type has reportedly been crossed with 'embryo'-type ETs induced by hypnosis. Tony Dodd reported that on May 7, 1989, South African military jets shot down a saucer over the Kalahari desert. Inside were two humanoids with 3 toes and webbed hands. The report suggests they were sent to the US and interrogated at a base in Dayton, Ohio. A picture from the tabloid 'Bildwoche' illustrates this 'space-age varity of the frogman'.

A bibliography on the 'Lizard Man' is mentioned, citing Pursuit 21:3 (1988) and an uninformed comment by Beckjord. Time magazine (Nov 20) is noted for reporting that Disney is starting an animated film about 'The little mermaid'.

Leviathan

This section focuses on large marine animals and potential sea monsters.

The giant turtle of Harlech is now on display at the National Museum, Cardiff, as reported by The Times (Dec 5). A 500-pound leatherback turtle was found in a parking lot in Portland, Maine, and brought to the New England Aquarium in Boston.

In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a 'huge fish' found dead at the Red Sea coast in Jizan was identified by Dr Nawab as not a blue whale but belonging to the 'ash-colored whales', according to Arab News (Nov 2).

USOS (Unidentified Submerged Objects)

William Cooper, who served on the submarine USS TIRU (1938-1941), allegedly saw a UFO 'as large as an aircraft carrier' shoot out of the sea and disappear in the clouds in December 1955, in the Portland-Seattle area. Cooper is noted as an informant in the controversial MJ-12 affair, and his sighting is presumed to be a hoax, as reported by JUFOF (Sept 89).

In Cadiz, Spain, scientists are exploring a submarine trench off the coast, with some believing it to be a UFO base due to frequent strange lights in the area, as reported by the Madrid newspaper ABC (July 27, 1988).

American researcher Bill Knell claimed that a saucer had landed in Kissena Park, NYC, following the alleged UFO landing in Voronesh, USSR. Knell cited witnesses and claimed to have found landing traces, though locals attributed the traces to children playing.

The action movie 'Abyss' is mentioned for its depiction of aliens with a submarine base communicating with earthlings, featuring a worm-like monster made of water.

In the Canary Islands, Spain, witnesses observed a 'giant luminous ball' emerging from the sea between La Palma and Teneriffe on June 24, 1989, during a UFO watch event commemorating K. Arnold's first sighting.

An incident on the American seaboard is briefly mentioned, where a couple claimed an encounter with a UFO-like craft under the sea.

A Soviet submarine was caught in the nets of a Norwegian trawler in the Barents Sea on October 31. A similar incident involving a Soviet submarine also occurred in August, with reports in El Pais, Süddeutsche Zeitung, The Times, and Arab News.

In Aachen, Germany, two 'flying discs' were spotted hovering over a reservoir for 45 minutes, moving from Eupen (Belgium) to Aachen (Germany) and emitting three strong searchlights.

Whales

The Soviet ice-breaker Sibir saved hundreds of beluga whales trapped in ice in the Kara Sea. A killer whale was observed accompanying the ferry Voksa south of Aalesund, Norway, attracting tourists and journalists. Whales are known to exhibit loyalty to specific ships for extended periods.

Eighteen sperm whales were found stranded near Perpignon, France, and a total of five whales stranded in the Narbonne region of France within one week.

Short Bits

This section includes brief news items:

• A shark attack off Brisbane, Australia.
• The earliest fossil amphibium was reported in The Times (Nov 23).
• A 16 ft fossil pliosaur was discovered at Richmond, West Queensland, Australia.

The "Halfren owlman"

Janet Bord writes in response to a previous item on the 'Owlman', suggesting it is a classic example of how false reports arise and are absorbed into literature. She explains that Cean Wood's article is a rehash of widely read items. Bord describes how she saw an owl in Hafren Forest rise vertically from the trees, looking exactly like the Cornish Owlman. This experience led her to believe that the 'Owlman' was simply an owl, and that this is how many 'authentic reports' begin.

Credits

Credits are given to Joe Darzynski, Michel Raynal, F. de Sarre, and Janet Bord.

Concluding quote

The issue concludes with a quote from John Steinbeck's 'The Log of the Cortez': "There is some quality in man which makes him people the ocean with monsters and one wonders whether they are there or not. In one sense they are, for we continue to see them."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Bilk revolve around the unexplained and mysterious phenomena occurring in and around the world's oceans and waterways. These include sightings of legendary creatures like lake monsters and mermaids, as well as more contemporary reports of UFOs and unidentified submerged objects (USOs). The editorial stance appears to be one of presenting these reports and accounts, often with a degree of skepticism or by offering alternative explanations, as seen in the 'Owlman' discussion and the dismissal of William Cooper's USO sighting as a potential hoax. The magazine encourages critical thinking while acknowledging the human fascination with the unknown and the tendency to project fears and wonders onto the natural world.