BILK

Magazine Overview

BILK #47, published in May 1992 by Ulrich Magin from Germany, is a magazine focused on unexplained phenomena, cryptids, and unusual reports. The cover prominently features the headline "BEHEMOTH" and includes a section titled "ISIS". The publication is available via subscription at DM 15 for one year or 6 issues.

BEHEMOTH

This section details recent sightings of the Loch Ness Monster. In August, a Dutch couple videotaped a large body moving below the surface with a distinct head and tail, which Steve Feltham and Aidrian Shine attributed to wind disturbance. Margaret MacLennan reported a sighting on June 27, 1991, describing a creature about 6 ft in length with crocodile-like skin, propelled by flipper action. Earlier sightings were also noted, along with a sonar contact off Fort Augustus by "Topcat" and a hump spotted by Helen Cross in Urquhart Bay. Further details are available in "Nessletter" issues 107 and 106.

The article then discusses "NEUE SPEZIAL," a German tabloid produced in Holland, which published a story about Nessie being caught alive on January 22, 1992, by a team led by Dr. Genet and German biologist Dr. Otto Krüger. This report, allegedly based on a translation of the US "Weekly World News," included doctored pictures and an account of the creature's capture in a steel trap after 32 months of preparation. The "Neue Spezial" is described as being tongue-in-cheek, with its editor, Peter J. Muller, admitting they print silly stories from readers. The "Stern" magazine reported on this, noting that the next Nessie headline would reveal the monster to be female and pregnant. A humorous headline from the tabloid, "fur coat eats woman!", is also mentioned.

A bibliography section lists other potential cryptid reports: a boat wake identified as a monster in Lake Ikeda, Japan; a story about a dinosaur-like creature in Lake Khayr, Siberia, which is noted as a recurring story originating in the 1960s; and a mention in "Fortean Times" of an interview with Doc Shiels, with a note about claims that he faked his monster photos.

ISIS

This section delves into reports of humanoid marine life. In Australia, local aborigines claim two dreamtime creatures, a siren and the "carpet serpent," inhabit areas now subject to mining industries in Wiluna. The article suggests these creatures might have been invented to capitalize on Western interest, possibly reflecting a racist viewpoint.

"Neue Spezial" #28 also reported on a "deep sea monster" terrorizing sunbathers at Rio Beach, Brazil. An eyewitness, Guillermo Goncalvez, described a biped creature about 5 ft high, resembling a giant frog, which emerged from the sea and threatened bathers with a rusty harpoon before returning to the water. A police spokesperson stated they had no idea what it was, and experts suggested it might be a recurring sighting, possibly inspired by "Jack Arnold's Creature from the Black Lagoon."

Istanbul Mummy

A report from Istanbul, Turkey, details the discovery of a mummy in a wooden chest at the Topkapi palace. The mummy, said to be half-human and half-crocodile, belonged to a child of about seven or eight for the upper part and a medium-sized crocodile for the lower part. Carbon-14 testing could not determine its age. A popular story suggests it was the son of an Egyptian dignitary swallowed by a crocodile, with the boy's body found inside. The article notes a similar alleged mermaid mummy found in Sochi, Black Sea, previously dismissed as a tabloid story, but suggests it could be a version of an aquatic god, referencing ancient Greek traditions.

Tanzania Merman

Guy Tarde's book "Terre, Planéte sous contrôle" is cited for a case of a merman caught in Tanzania in May 1975, referred to as "African Nessie." This well-known case, published widely, described a creature with many arms and fingers and a grotesque head, believed to be a tropical fish.

Bibliography (continued)

Further bibliography entries include a TV feature on man's aquatic past and an article on initial bipedalism in "EFODON NEWS," an ancient-astronauts magazine.

LOST SANDS AND SUNKEN CITIES

Japan

A 200m long and 180m wide section of beach in the Tokushima district of Western Japan vanished overnight on March 24/25, washed away by the sea, leaving a 2m cliff.

Lake Constance

Following the discovery of a painted submarine cave in France (speculated by F. de Sarre to be "Heuvelman's Longneck"), German archaeologists found a sunken neolithic house while diving off Ludwigshafen in Lake Constance. The house, dated to 3850 BC, had paintings on its walls depicting various patterns, angles, dots, and triangles. Clay models of female breasts were found, and the house is believed to have had religious significance, possibly being Germany's oldest temple. Some papers dubbed it "stone age pornography."

USO (Unidentified Submerged Object)

Russia

Reports indicate the return of mysterious submarines, this time affecting Russia. On February 11, the periscope of a submerging Russian submarine was damaged by an unknown craft near Murmansk. The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" reported that the secret sub fled, leaving traces on the damaged Russian vessel. The US later admitted it was one of their submarines, but claimed the incident occurred in international waters. The article suggests this strengthens the conviction that Swedish "mystery subs" were primarily NATO craft and sheds light on Irish fishing trawlers sunk by mysterious submarines, some of which were identified as NATO vessels. An inquiry into the "Polaris" vessel, sunk in a "net incident" three years prior, is mentioned, where the net apparently caught a mystery sub that dived, destroying the trawler.

The author concludes by stating they have many notes on whale strandings and big sharks to cover and requests readers to send in clips and opinions, especially on the increasingly complex topic of mermaid sightings/tradition/ufonauts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BILK are cryptids (particularly aquatic ones like the Loch Ness Monster and alleged mermaids), unexplained aerial and submerged phenomena (UFOs and USOs), and archaeological mysteries with potential links to ancient myths or extraterrestrial influences. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, presenting various reports and witness accounts, while also acknowledging skepticism and potential hoaxes (e.g., the "Neue Spezial" and Doc Shiels). There's a critical eye towards sensationalism and a hint of concern about potential racist interpretations in some reports (Australian aborigines).