Bilk

Magazine Overview

This issue of Bilk, number 51, published in January 1993 by Ulrich Magin in Germany, focuses on the theme of 'BEHEMOTH'. It presents a collection of reports on cryptids, unusual marine phenomena, and alleged encounters with unknown creatures.

Behemoth: Cryptids and Lake Monsters

Loch Ness The issue details several recent reports concerning the Loch Ness Monster. On September 29, 1992, the Inverness Courier reported sightings by a school party and a coach party, who observed "perhaps four humps" and a creature's head and neck. Teacher Rhona More described a clear view for a bit before losing sight. Later the same day, Sandra MacKenzie, a pupil, saw humps close to the shore, and two girls described seeing a head and neck above water, initially mistaking it for stones.

On September 28, 1992, Nessie was reportedly seen again at the Clansman Hotel. Brian Alexander, a kitchen porter, observed a dark, barrel-shaped object for 20 minutes, ruling out a rowing boat. Another witness, Brian, saw the object about 300 yards from the south side of the loch, estimating its size at 5 to 6 feet long. He noted it was moving slowly and was either Nessie or a large seal. The article suggests these sightings might refer to wave effects.

Further reports mention a brief sonar contact with an unidentified object on October 30, 1992, by a British expedition from 24 universities, as reported by dpa and AP. This contact was allegedly made on the screens of a Norwegian research vessel "Simrad". The issue also references a review of a video on Nessie in Fortean Times 66, p.62, and mentions the "I invented Nessie" hoax by Lambert Wilson. A critical article from the Mannheimer Morgen Newspaper (October 10, 1992) discusses the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition at Drumnadrochit and the exploitation of the loch for tourism. Conversely, a clip from Le Figaro Magazine (November 12, 1992) on Expedition Urquhart concludes there is no Nessie.

Seljordsvatn, Norway

A brief report covers the Norwegian Nessie, known as 'Selma', in Seljordsvatn. This lake is 145 meters deep and located 180 km southwest of Oslo. The 30-meter monster has been seen since 1650. Merit Vastal of Tourist Information Telemark stated that the horse-headed creature had been seen several times in 1992, though no films or videos exist. Businessmen from Seljord visited Drumnadrochit to learn from Scotland's tourism exploitation of its monster, hoping to boost their own region's economy. The lake is already a tourist resort with camping facilities for 40,000 tourists.

Lake Michigan

According to the Weekly World News (November 17, 1992), the "U.S. NAVY CAPTURES MONSTER IN LAKE MICHIGAN". The tabloid featured a doctored photo of divers and a reptilian snake. The inside story claims a secret Pentagon crew captured a 140-foot monster on October 22, 1992, after tracking it on sonar for six months. The creature is described as dinosaur-like but with intelligence rivaling a dog or horse, possessing both lungs and gills. A marine biologist, Richard Clarke, is quoted, and the article questions why the discovery wasn't previously reported. It suggests the Pentagon is trying to suppress the information.

Other Strange Phenomena

Marine Life

The issue includes a bibliography of articles on the Patagonian monster of 1922, a dinosaur thought to be surviving, and the Hampstead Seal hoax. It also mentions mermaid mummies and crocodile boys from Fortean Times.

Under the heading 'LEVIATHAN', a Florida's Giant pinguin hoax is exposed. A report from Split, Croatia, details an angling trip where a wild boar was fished and eaten. A peculiar report from Reuter via Rheinpfalz states that a whale has given birth to a 'child' fathered by a dolphin, with the 'Whalephin' resembling its mother but having the father's color.

USO (Unidentified Submerged Objects)

There's a connection suggested between UFO creatures and mermaids, referencing Strange magazine. A theory is mentioned that the Loch Ness Monster might be a submerged UFO, a concept first voiced in the 1960s by German ufologist Anny Baghun.

Whales

In October 1992, about 100 pilot whales stranded in New Zealand, with approximately 50 dying. Helpers attempted to drag them back to sea. In late November, 26 pilot whales stranded in Tasmania, Australia; all died, with seven having to be shot. Biologist Hans Wapstra noted the school had stranded 24 hours before discovery. The issue notes that whale strandings seem to concentrate in Tasmania, New Zealand, Perth (Australia), Oregon, and Massachusetts, but scientists cannot explain why these animals self-harm or refuse rescue.

Other Marine Incidents

A freshwater crocodile attacked and killed a British tourist at Kakadu National Park, Northern Australia. Deformed marine animals, including fish without fins and crabs without pincers, were discovered off the coast of Florida. A 28-year-old surfer was killed by a 4-5 meter Great White shark off Brisbane, Australia, after a 15-minute struggle. The issue also notes that biologist Hans Hass points out more sharks are killed by humans. A criminal deed is mentioned where a man killed his wife and towed her body in a net for 30 minutes hoping sharks would devour it. An alligator was caught in a trap at West Palm Beach, Florida.

Cryptozoology

'Yeti news' reports that a Yeti in China might be a monkey, and another Yeti was observed in China. A Russian expedition searching for the Caucasus almasti, led by Marie-Jeanne Koffmann, returned in November after collecting over 500 eyewitness reports. They filmed footprints and recorded recent sightings.

Under 'Alien Big Cat', after panther sightings in the Saar, Germany, a witness reported seeing a tiger at Erding, near Munich. Police chased and caught a pet puma that was loose.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of Bilk are the existence and investigation of cryptids (Loch Ness Monster, Selma, Yeti, Almasti, Alien Big Cats) and unexplained phenomena, particularly in marine environments. There is a clear interest in eyewitness accounts, sonar contacts, and alleged government cover-ups, as seen in the Lake Michigan monster report. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting on these phenomena with a degree of skepticism, as evidenced by the mention of hoaxes and the suggestion that some sightings might be wave effects, while still presenting the information as potentially significant and worthy of investigation.