Bilk - no 084 - 1998 07

Magazine Overview

This issue of BILK, Nr. 84, published bi-monthly by Ulrich Magin in Rastatt, Germany, for July 1998, covers a wide range of unusual phenomena, from cryptozoology to UFO sightings and ancient mysteries. The subscription cost is 15 DM for Europe and 20 DM for the rest of the world.

BEHEMOTH

The "BEHEMOTH" section begins by addressing the term "Nessie," noting potential trademark issues with the American firm RLP Enterprises. It also mentions local opposition to a visitor center at Urquhart Castle and a critique of Loren Coleman's piece on the surgeon's photograph in Fortean Times.

A fascinating anecdote is shared from The Daily Telegraph regarding an assignment in January 1961 to cover a story about a man who returned from the Peruvian Andes with a giant earthworm, described as six feet long and a foot in diameter. The journalist, Alan Watkins, was hesitant, but the editor, Sir David English, insisted. This story is suggested as a lead for Karl Shuker, who has written about the Mongolian death worm.

Bibliography

This section compiles various reports and articles:

• An interview with Redmond O'Hanlon in "taz" about his search for dinos in Africa, though no mention of the "beast" was made.
• Reports on a "snake in a shell" in Peru, an expedition to Lake Seljord by Jan-Ove Sundberg (who previously claimed to see a UFO at Loch Ness), floods at Lake Champlain, and a giant anaconda story by Fawcett that might be a misidentification.
• A report of an iguana, 1.2m/4ft long, caught in Munich, Germany, on June 16, 1998.

ISIS

This subsection includes:

• A mention of "Crocodile men of Congo" from Fortean Times.
• A review of Scott Corrales' chupacabra book.
• A depiction of a woman with a serpent's tail on a temple in Mahabalipuram, India, identified as an animal genetically engineered by ancient astronauts, referencing Walter-Jörg Langbein's work.

Carlisle, England

Paul Screeton's book "Quicksilver Heritage" is cited for an account from the 1960s or 1970s where he encountered an "elemental" near Carlisle. The entity, described as frog-shaped and brown, appeared about three feet high and moved like a frog. Its form was hazy, and the effect was compared to a television screen with "lines go crazy." Similar reports from America are linked to unknown amphibians, aquatic bigfoot, or UFO occupants.

LEVIATHAN

• An exhibition at the Natural History Museum in London (until September 13, 1998) titled "Myth & Monsters" featured creatures like a cyclop, yeti, and chimaera. A notable exhibit was a large ribbon fish caught in February 1981, which floats vertically and is fragile, making it unlikely to be mistaken for a sea serpent.
• Scotland's Skye island is noted for its "Loch na Beiste" and numerous sightings, particularly the 1872 flap. Tales of a "beast" might stem from stranded walruses or stray narwhales. A sea-serpent sighting in Loch Scavaig in the early twentieth century is mentioned, possibly relating to the 1959 Soay beast, identified as a leatherback turtle.

KRAKEN

• A photo of an encounter between a diver and a giant Humboldt squid in the Sea of Cortez, Mexico, is mentioned from Fortean Times.
• New Zealand is highlighted as a center for giant squid research. A "National Geographic" article discusses the search for architeuthis and mentions a 60ft giant squid that stranded in 1880, as well as three dead giant squids found in recent years (1996 or 1997), one measuring 26 ft.

USO & UFOS OVER MONSTER LAKES

• Namibia: A TV documentary reported on the stranding of the "Dunedin Star" at the Skeleton Coast in November 1941. Wartime reports of German submarines were dismissed as "false alarms" due to war nerves, drawing a parallel to sea serpent watchers at Loch Ness.
• Washington, USA: A large bolide crashed into the Columbia River at Kennewick in January 1998, causing water to splash.
• Bariloche, Argentina: Reports of UFO activity around Nahuel Huapi, a monster lake, continue. In April 1998, "Spiegel" reported on a dozen witnesses observing four large, shiny, soundless discs. The event was linked to reflections on cloud cover from disco lights, potentially amplified by local electricity plant issues. Previous BILK issues and an article in Fortean Times 92 are referenced for other UFO sightings at Nahuel Huapi.
• Barents Sea: Russia complained in May 1998 that American submarines were violating its territory, citing an incident on December 4, 1997, where a US Los Angeles-class sub allegedly closed in on a Russian Taifun-sub. US military spokespeople offered no comment.
• North Sea: An unidentified object, the size of a battleship, was detected by Dutch and English radar, though the British MoD denied the data's existence. The journalist David Derbyshire claimed the data would be presented to scientists.
• Lake Champlain: This location has UFO and USO reports, including the 1907 Burlington UFO, which is now considered a thunderstorm and ball lightning incident. The book "Von Aliens entführt" by Johannes Fiebag is mentioned for its account of an abduction of two young men on August 7, 1968, with Fiebag's views on ancient astronauts being criticized.
• North coast of Norway: Reports of "net incidents" where herring schools caused trawlers to sink are discussed, questioning how many "unidentified submarine" reports might be due to such phenomena.

MARINE FORTEANA

• Japan: An article in "Welt am Sonntag" discusses the alleged submarine pyramid off Yonaguni, Okinawa, Japan, lying at a depth of 25m. Geologist Masaki Kimura believes the rock was erected by humans, citing a lack of erosion at the base. Robert Schoch, a geologist from Boston University, also suggests it's artificial and dates it to 10,000 years old, a claim that has drawn skepticism.

DINOSAURS

• Dinosaur news includes the discovery of 26 new species in Utah by Richard Cifelli. The ongoing discussion about whether birds are descendants of dinosaurs is mentioned, with new feather discoveries supporting the link, while some American scientists argue against it.
• A Fortean Times article on the mythical causes of dinosaur extinction is referenced. Most large non-avian dinosaurs were extinct before any hypothetical meteor impact.
• The first dinosaur found in Italy, the 24cm theropod Sciopionyx samninicus, is noted for its well-preserved internal organs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of BILK are the investigation of unexplained phenomena, including cryptozoological creatures (Loch Ness Monster, giant worms, sea serpents, giant squid), unidentified aerial phenomena (UFOs) and underwater objects (USOs), and ancient mysteries (pyramids, alleged engineered animals). The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various reports and sightings while also offering skeptical analysis and questioning conventional explanations. There's a clear interest in cryptozoology and UFOlogy, with a tendency to cross-reference information from other publications like Fortean Times and "taz." The magazine seems to encourage further investigation and discussion of these topics, often highlighting the need for rigorous scientific examination while acknowledging the persistent nature of these mysteries.