Controversial Phenomena Bulletin - No 02 - Vol 1 No 2 - Mar Apr 1964

Magazine Overview

Title: CONTROVERSIAL PHENOMENA
Issue: VOLUME # I - BULLETIN # 2
Date: MARCH - APRIL 1964
Publisher: Arnand A. Laprade
Price: 35¢ per copy, $2.00 per year

This issue of "Controversial Phenomena" is a mimeographed bulletin dedicated to exploring unexplained events and phenomena, with a particular focus on UFOs and other anomalies. The cover features an illustration of a meteor shower with the provocative question: "DID STRANGE SPACECRAFT WATCH THE GREAT METEOR SHOWER OF 1833?" The bulletin is illustrated by Joseph L. Ferriere and published by Arnand A. Laprade.

Articles and Features

"DID STRANGE SPACECRAFT WATCH THE GREAT METEOR SHOWER OF 1833?"

This lead article examines the extraordinary meteor shower of November 13, 1833. While the event itself was widely observed and described as magnificent, the article highlights a puzzling aspect: the appearance of "luminous bodies" that remained "nearly stationary" for some time, unlike typical meteors. The author suggests that with the advent of the "flying saucer" phenomenon in 1947, the details of the 1833 shower take on a new significance, drawing parallels between these "luminous bodies" and descriptions of flying saucer observations. The article also touches upon reports of "gelatinous substance" found on the ground during the meteor shower, which received attention in scientific journals but was not linked to "strange luminous objects."

"REVIVED FOSSILS"

Authored by Rev. Guy J. Cyr, this article explores the possibility of prehistoric organisms thawing out and reviving. It references cryobiological experiments that can revive cells and organisms at extreme temperatures. The author cites examples such as a 20-foot, 7-ton monster washed ashore in Tasmania in 1962, which baffled scientists. He posits that ancient organisms may have been deep-frozen by cataclysmic events, such as a sudden change in the Earth's axis, and are now being thawed out by natural processes like volcanic eruptions or ice melt. The article also mentions the scientific discovery of mammoth steak from an animal encased in ice for thousands of years. Rev. Cyr suggests that future discoveries might include the resuscitation of prehistoric human corpses.

"Mysterious Moon Eruptions Confirmed By Sightings"

This section reports on disclosures made in December 1963 regarding inexplicable occurrences on the moon. It highlights two specific sightings: one on November 3, 1958, and another on November 27, 1963, by a scientific team from Lowell Observatory. The latter sighting involved a ruby-colored spot near the crater Aristarchus, estimated to be 12 miles long and 1/2 miles wide. While astronomers differ on the cause, some scientists believe surface heating or the release of a carbon gas might be responsible. The article notes the surprisingly detached public reaction to news of lunar disturbances.

"STRANGE LUMINOUS OBJECTS!"

This brief segment, seemingly a continuation or related note to the moon article, mentions that scientific journals gave considerable attention to the meteor shower of 1833 but did not mention the gelatinous matter or "strange luminous objects."

"TRAGEDY IN YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND"

This section presents two remarkably similar incidents of inexplicable human levitation and subsequent fatal falls. The first occurred on February 22, 1911, at Hanson High School, where Mary Ann Baily was lifted 35 feet into the air and fell, sustaining fatal injuries. The second incident, on March 18, 1963, at the same school, involved Eileen Welch, who was lifted 30 feet and fell, also fatally. Both victims were 16 years old, and meteorologists stated that the force required to cause such an event would necessitate winds of at least 110 miles per hour. A government expert stated, "We simply do not know what happened!"

Other Mentions and Letters

• Newspaper Clipping: A clipping from The WOON SOCKET CALL dated January 20, 1964, features Joseph L. Ferriere and his involvement with "Controversial Phenomena," noting that the bulletin is published by Armand A. Laprade and includes an article by Ferriere titled "Have Flying Saucers Contacted the United States Government?" which alleges sixty-eight unidentified flying objects hovered over Washington D.C. on August 13, 1952.
• Editorial Section: The editors express gratitude for the mail received, including a complimentary letter from Larry "FIREBALL" Larochelle and a letter from Rev. Guy J. Cyr, who contributed an article. They note a decrease in bookstore sales after displaying posters and mention a few cancellations. They also announce the addition of Mary Nugent as a proof-reader.
• Letters:
• James Krasowski, Teen-Age Rep. of N.Y., writes on January 16, 1964, praising the first issue and accepting his representative role. He discusses "Maln material" which he believes is "xmas tinsel" based on microscopic examination and heat tests.
• Doris H. Maln responds to a letter from Mr. Laprade on January 17, 1964, stating she had not heard anything prior to discovering the material on her lawn.
• Bob Forrest informs of his move to Cambridge, Mass., and his intention to have the "Malm material" analyzed.
• Roger Kellog of Plainfield, New Jersey, saw an article about Joe and CPB and ordered two copies.
• Curtis G. Fuller thanks Mr. Laprade for Vol #2, Bulletin #1 and grants permission to use material from FATE MAGAZINE with proper credit.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of "Controversial Phenomena" revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena (UFOs), ancient mysteries, and unusual biological or geological events. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and a willingness to explore unconventional explanations for these occurrences. The publication actively seeks contributions and correspondence from its readers, fostering a community of interest in these controversial topics. There is a clear skepticism towards conventional explanations when faced with anomalous evidence, as seen in the articles on the 1833 meteor shower and the "revived fossils."

Title: St John Valley TIMES
Issue Date: August 29, 1963
Volume: VI, No. 48
Price: Ten Cents

This issue of the St. John Valley Times focuses heavily on reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena, blending local sightings with international news and historical accounts. The newspaper aims to present evidence and encourage further reporting from its readers.

Local UFO Sightings

The lead story details two recent sightings of unidentified flying objects in the St. John Valley. David and Michael Saunders, aged nine and eight, reported seeing a silver disc glide through the sky at dusk on Sunday, August 18th. They described the object as shaped like two dinner plates stacked together and emitting an intermittent humming sound. Their mother and grandmother corroborated that the boys were not inclined to fabricate stories. This sighting was the second recent one in the Valley, following a notice in the previous week's TIMES asking for reports.

Another report describes a sighting by a lone hiker on Saturday, August 17th, near Cyr mountain. The hiker saw an oval-shaped object emitting yellow light moving slowly northwest. The object made frequent, sharp turns, unlike any airplane, and appeared to be moving slowly. The observer noted it seemed to move from the vicinity of Saturn to Orion.

Official Reactions and International Reports

Lieutenant Rice of the Public Information Office at Loring Air Force Base expressed interest in receiving reports on UFOs, though official AF policy denies their existence. He noted that experimental aircraft, whether American or Canadian, would be unlikely to cross the international border, casting doubt on explanations involving such experiments.

Life on Other Worlds by Rev. Guy J. Cyr, S.M.

This section, reprinted from the Lawrence Eagle Tribune, presents a speculative theory that life exists on the moon. Rev. Cyr argues that scientists analyzing lunar data through electromagnetic waves are describing features that could be interpreted as a 'vegetative model' – specifically, wooly trees and bushes. He suggests that 'deep holes' could be spaces between trees, 'vertical walls' the sides of trees, and the 'cobweb-like structure' a wooly growth. He believes this theory reconciles seemingly contradictory findings about lunar surface composition.

Flying Saucers from the Soviet Union

This article discusses claims by Soviet scientists about the existence and development of flying saucers. It references a statement by Soviet scientist Prof. S. Zonshtein in 1957 and a report from the Soviet army newspaper 'Red Star' in 1957 claiming successful testing of a 'flying saucer' aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing on air cushions. The article also traces the historical development of disc-shaped aircraft concepts, mentioning designs by August Klein (1910), Drs. H. Hertel and Siebold (1910), Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), and Hermann (1940), noting that while these may not have flown, the idea is not new.

Aerodynamic Experts and Disc Aircraft

Dr. Martin Gerloff, an aerodynamic expert with General Electric, is cited for his views on the feasibility of flying disc aircraft. His points include the disc shape's ability to operate in various atmospheric conditions, its superiority to rotating-wing designs for vertical take-off and cruising, and its capability for flight in the rarefied region between jet altitudes and satellite orbits. The article also mentions Fairchild Stratos designing a high-speed, landable disc for upper atmosphere flight, questioning the notion that saucer-shaped aircraft are 'fantastic'.

Historical Sightings and German Disc Projects

Several historical incidents are detailed:

• Germany, 1952: Oscar Linke and his eleven-year-old daughter reported seeing two silvery figures and a large, circular object near Hasselbach. The object glowed, spun, and then ascended rapidly. Linke provided a sworn statement about this experience.
• Spitzbergen, 1953: Unverified intelligence reports claimed a 'flying saucer' was found in the snow and ice. The object was described as a silver disc with jet motors and instruments, capable of traveling 30,000 kilometers and reaching an altitude of 160 kilometers. It was reportedly found by six Norwegian jets.
• Narvik, Norway: A commander reportedly discovered a large metal disc on the frozen ground with a partly destroyed steering cabin. The object transmitted an unknown sound and was believed to be from Russia.

The article references German aviation expert Rudolf Lusar's book on German Secret Weapons of World War II, which states that German researchers began working on flying discs in 1941. Lusar claims that experts Schriever and Habermohl developed a wide-surface ring design with a fixed cockpit, and that their first disc took off on February 14, 1945, reaching an altitude of 12,000 miles and a speed of 2,000 km/h. The development was costly, and the saucer models were destroyed before the Russians arrived, but the plant was not.

The Ranger VI Controversy

This section reports on the Ranger VI mission, launched on January 30, 1964, to photograph the moon. Despite the rocket's successful launch, its six television cameras failed to function, and no pictures were received. Reports from Britain indicated the impact was detected, while West German scientists also tracked it. However, the Soviet news agency Tass reported the experiment as a failure due to the non-functioning television equipment. A JPL spokesman stated that Ranger VI landed in the Sea of Tranquility within 15 miles of the aiming point, but could not explain other reports. A University of Chattanooga observer reported seeing Ranger VI disappear behind the moon.

Mariner Spacecraft Anomalies

The issue also briefly touches on anomalies observed with the Venus-bound Mariner II spacecraft in 1962. Data indicated the Earth was appearing much dimmer than expected, leading to worries that Mariner's 'eyes' were seeing the moon instead. Later, the gyroscopes indicated a loss of view of Earth and Sun, followed by a sudden return to normal brightness. In October 1962, Mariner's power production dropped due to a suspected short circuit in a solar panel, which later inexplicably corrected itself.

NASA's Lunar Classification Plan

An article from February 11, 1964, discusses a reported NASA plan to 'classify the moon.' This involves examining photographs and deciding which to release to the public, suggesting a desire for secrecy regarding lunar surface details. The article quotes a source stating that 'good pictures' would be released, but not all, and not immediately.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, the possibility of extraterrestrial life, and the development of advanced aircraft and space technology, particularly concerning the Soviet Union and the United States. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to report sightings and consider evidence, while also acknowledging official skepticism. The editors express a hopeful, albeit slightly humorous, sentiment regarding the origin of future flying objects, preferring 'MADE ON MARS' or 'MADE IN THE U.S.A.' over potential malfunctions, as seen in the 'Fry Pan Warships' anecdote.

This issue of "Contact" magazine, dated Tuesday, February 25, 1964, features a prominent headline about the U.S. Navy revealing "SIXTY 'UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS' PER MONTH." The publication appears to be a radio program transcript or related content from WBZ-RADIO in Boston, Massachusetts, hosted by Bob Kennedy with guest James W. Mosely, editor of "Saucer News."

U.S. Navy Reveals "Unidentified Objects" Per Month

The lead article, attributed to "Larry (up in the clouds) Larochelle," details a report by John O'Neill, a reporter for the Boston Record American. O'Neill, describing himself as a Navy "week-end warrior," participated in a submarine hunt with the U.S. Naval Reserve's Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Force. He learned from ASW Squadrons that they make approximately 60 unidentified sonar contacts per month. O'Neill was told that "Most of them aren't submarines," and later learned that several contacts were friendly, non-American submarines. The article expresses skepticism and confusion regarding the Navy's ability to identify what objects are not, while simultaneously claiming to know they are not submarines.

Further discussion on page eighteen questions the Navy's statement, highlighting the contradiction of identifying what something is not without knowing what it is. It suggests that the Air Force has also been evasive about UFOs. The article notes that George D. Fawcett, a UFO investigator, reported authenticated cases of saucers submerging off the U.S. coast over the past two years, with contact information being classified by the Naval Air Station.

"Contact" Radio Program with James W. Mosely

The program "Contact" on WBZ-Radio featured James W. Mosely, editor of "Saucer News," who is congratulated for his defense of UFO sighters and researchers. During the program, Mosely received a call from Dr. Donald Menzel of Harvard, who attempted to confuse Mosely with evasive questions. Mosely countered by pointing out that Menzel was evading aspects of the UFO issue. An example given is Menzel's response to whether a car radio stops playing when a saucer is in view; Menzel suggested the radio could stop, but not due to a UFO. Mosely questioned why he should believe everything if Menzel only partially believes a witness account, and stated that he "does not endorse" contactees. The program's subject matter was suggested by Robert C. Forrest, CPB Teen-Age Representative for Massachusetts.

Late News

This section presents several brief news items:

• Trawler Sinking: On Saturday, February 23, 1964, four crewmen were saved when the trawler Villanova sank near Gloucester, Massachusetts, after hitting an unidentified submerged object. The Coast Guard opened an investigation.
• Flaming Object in Fort Worth: On January 28, 1964, a flaming object fell from the sky west of Fort Worth, Texas. It hovered, then fell and burst into flames, leaving particles smelling of sulphur. Oscar Monnig, an authority on such phenomena, ruled out a meteorite. The object was followed by Mr. and Mrs. Ronald J. Jones and set fire to the Lewis' lawn.
• Moon Mapping: Using a large telescope and a movie camera, over 40,000 photos of the moon's visible face have been produced by a project led by Professor Zednik Kopal of Manchester University in England. It is expected that over 100,000 photographs will eventually be produced.

Advertisements and Salon Services

The issue also includes advertisements for various bookshops selling UFO-related literature, magazines like "FATE," "Flying Saucers," and "Search Magazine." There is also an advertisement for the "Flying Saucer Restaurant" in Worcester, Massachusetts, and for "Controversial Phenomena Bulletin." Kornstein's Beauty Salon in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, offers "Pre-Easter Specials" on hair treatments.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, unexplained aerial phenomena, and naval encounters with unidentified objects. There is a strong emphasis on questioning official explanations and highlighting inconsistencies in reports from military and scientific sources. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards official denials and a promotion of open investigation into UFO phenomena, as evidenced by the congratulatory tone towards James W. Mosely and the inclusion of various news reports and personal accounts related to UFOs.