Bilk - no 054 - 1993 07

Magazine Overview

This is issue #54 of BILK, dated July 1993. The magazine is edited by Ulrich Magin and published in Denkendorf, Germany. Subscriptions cost DM 15 for Germany and Europe, and DM 20 for the rest of the world. The editor notes a postal code change to 73770 from July 1st.

BEHEMOTH

Loch Ness

The issue discusses recent findings related to the Loch Ness Monster. An amateur video from August 17, 1992, captured what might have been a wake or an unidentified creature. Janet Bord reported on a 'large, unidentified sonar target in Loch Ness.' Scientists working with Project Urquhart found 'dozens of blocks, laid out in a Z-shaped formation' across the loch. Initially thought to be sonar practice targets, later suggestions in the Courier proposed they might be mines dumped after World War I. The idea of mines as an explanation for Nessie sightings was also suggested in 1950. Andreas Trottmann is credited for the clippings.

ISIS

Croc Boy

A bizarre mummy, described as half boy and half crocodile, was found in an Egyptian sarcophagus in Turkey's Topkapi Palace. The magazine 'Explorer' (1/1993) published the first photograph of this 'croc-boy.' The article suggests it might be the mummy of a boy eaten by a crocodile, or, as 'Explorer' theorizes, a result of genetic engineering by ancient astronauts.

Bibliography

References are made to 'Strange 11' for information on submarine humanoid creatures in South American folklore compared to UFO-creatures (Fabio Picasso, p.19) and the unlikely existence of a sirenian species at St. Helena (Karl PN Shuker, p.25).

LEVIATHAN

Bibliography

Sightings of sea serpents at Orkney in 1808 and 1940s are mentioned, with a note that these were likely basking sharks. An article in 'Tauchen' (April 1992, p.6) discussed an expedition after basking sharks off Cornwall. 'Bild' (June 15, 1993) reported a shoal of 40 basking sharks in the Baltic off Sweden. A strange egg found on the West Australian coast, believed to be from a Madagascar Aegyornis, is also noted (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, March 23, 1993, p. 9).

USO (Unidentified Submerged Object)

Linda Napolitano Case

More details are provided on the abduction case of Linda Napolitano (aka Cortile), discovered by Budd Hopkins. Napolitano claims she was abducted by aliens and taken underwater into the East River, New York, where she met Perez de Cuellar. The case is critically examined in 'Journal für UFO-Forschung' (2/1993, p. 16-22) by Hans-Werner Peiniger, and more positively in 'Independent Science' (3/1993, p.20-29) by Marc Theobald.

Gulf Breeze Case

Further criticism is directed at the Gulf Breeze, Florida, case, where UFOs seen over the sea have been identified as signal lights carried by balloons (p. 24-26).

CRYPTOZOOLOGY

New Discoveries

The press has reported on several discoveries of previously unknown species. Two biology students from Cologne University discovered the world's smallest frog in Madagascar. This dark brown amphibian measures only 12 mm and weighs less than a quarter of a gramme when fully grown (Die Rheinpfalz, May 12, 1993). Additionally, a large, unidentified animal similar to a goat with sharp 50 cm horns was found in a mountain valley in Northern Vietnam. Zoologists from the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) found physical evidence, including skulls, bones, hoofs, and pelts, of this animal, which has been named Vu Quang Oryx (Die Rheinpfalz, March 30, 1993; Eßlinger Zeitung, March 30, 1993, p.17).

The issue also references 'Strange 11' (p.28) for supposed sightings of still living moas in New Zealand and 'Magazin für Grenzwissenschaften' (#1-93, p.48) for related information. In Jamaica, a species of monitor lizard thought extinct has been rediscovered by zoologists from Kingston University. These lizards can grow up to 1.5m/5ft and had no natural enemies until Europeans arrived. The last reserve was converted into a US Army Base in 1940, and it was believed none had survived, though they still exist, zoologists fear for their survival due to low numbers (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, April 28, 1993, p.N2).

MARINE LIFE

Whaling and Marine Mammals

According to 'Bild Stuttgart' (Feb 3), Japan will lift the global ban on whaling. The beluga whale 'Aydin,' which escaped from its aquarium in Laspi, Ukraine, returned to the Turkish harbour of Gerze (Osnabrücker Zeitung, April 16; Stuttgarter Zeitung, April 16; Eßlinger Zeitung, April 6).

Giant Crabs and Turtles

Giant crabs with a 2m diameter and weighing 15 kilos have appeared in Norwegian fishing nets. Biologists identify them as a Russian species, called king's crabs, introduced to the Kola Peninsula by Soviet scientists in the 1960s. They have spread along the coast and their ecological impact is being studied (Welt, April 16; Rheinpfalz, April 17). US biologists have found that leatherback turtles have definite migration routes and dive to 1000m, following submarine trenches in the Pacific. Mapping these routes is hoped to aid in protecting turtles during fishing bans (Welt, April 16, p.9). These turtles have sometimes been mistaken for sea serpents.

Shark Attacks

Several shark attacks were reported in June. Swimmers were attacked in Hong Kong harbour (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, June 12 or 14). On June 5, a woman was killed by a great white shark north of Tasmania. On June 9 or 10, John Ford was attacked while diving at Byron Bay, Australia, managing to save his wife. Fisherman Ron Boggis described the shark as 'gigantic.' An article in 'Stern' (June 17, 1993) noted Ford was diving near a seal colony, a known shark feeding area, and had ignored a warning sign. The shark was sensationally described as having the size of a lorry.

Coelacanth

In 1991, a coelacanth was caught at Quelimane, Mosambique, noted as another find outside the usual Comores habitat (Tauchen, April 1992, p. 12).

ARCAEOLOGY

Phoenician Ship

A South African archaeologist believes he has found the remains of a Phoenician ship at Cape Town. Amateur researcher O'Sullivan suggests a cedar log excavated in 1880, dated to 1875 years old, was the mast of a Phoenician galley. It was found in a dry river bed. It is believed Phoenicians sailed around Africa in 600 BC, and Abbé Breuil identified African rock paintings as showing ancient ships (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, March 30, 1993, p. 10).

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores topics at the fringe of mainstream science, including cryptozoology (Loch Ness Monster, sea serpents, new species), UFO phenomena (abductions, sightings), and unexplained archaeological findings. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting various theories and reports, often citing multiple sources and acknowledging differing viewpoints, such as the critical vs. positive reviews of the Linda Napolitano case or the identification of Gulf Breeze UFOs as balloons. There is a clear interest in historical accounts and archaeological evidence that challenges conventional narratives.