Magazine Summary

FLYING SAUCER REVIEW

Magazine Issue ROCKMORE 1950s

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Summary

Overview

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated July-Aug 1954, details numerous UFO sightings from July and August 1953. It includes a prominent report from J. D. Des Vergers of West Palm Beach, who claimed to be attacked by a flying saucer. The magazine outlines its editorial policy, which focuses on studying reports for factual basis and potential extra-terrestrial origins, excluding theories like balloons or mirages. The issue also features a chronological listing of sightings with commentary and analysis of potential behavior patterns.

Magazine Overview

Title: FLYING SAUCER REVIEW
Issue: #11
Date: July-Aug 1954
Publisher: ROCKMORE
Location: Brooklyn, N. Y.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Flying Saucer Review, dated July-Aug 1954, is presented as the first civilian research magazine established in July 1951. It features a collection of recent saucer reports, with a stated policy to welcome all typewritten copy and to focus on authentic reports that may be caused by extra-terrestrial craft. The magazine explicitly excludes theories such as aircraft, balloons, littlemen, meteors, mirages, and moonbeams.

Editorial Policy and Contents

  • The magazine outlines its policy for analyzing reports:
  • Section 1: Listing of all reports in chronological order, with commentary.
  • Section 2: Analysis of reports for possible behavior patterns.
  • Section 3: Credit for all clippings sent in, in occasional issues.
  • Section 4: Special features of reproduced photos, sketches, clippings, and special reports of landings or alleged landing attempts.

Key Articles and Reports

Local Man Kayoed By "Flying Saucer"

A prominent article details the experience of J. D. Des Vergers of West Palm Beach, who claimed to have encountered a flying saucer on August 19, 1952. Des Vergers, a scoutmaster, stated that a strange object hovered over his head in a wooded area and fired a "ball of fire" that caused him to lose consciousness. He described the object as mushroom-shaped, about 30 feet in diameter, with a hissing sound and a sickening, nauseating stench. He was questioned for hours by Army and Air Force intelligence officers, who reportedly cleared his "sanity" and stated he was the "only man in the world who has come within reaching distance of a flying saucer."

Des Vergers expressed a desire to make money from his story and had started writing his account. He also mentioned that his wife and he would be away for the weekend, possibly to escape the attention. The article notes that an intelligence officer indicated the Air Force probe was complete and that information was being sent to Wright Field for further study. The incident also involved a deputy sheriff who noted scorched grass in the area where Des Vergers claimed to have met the object.

Saucer Stampedes Herd

This report, by Edwina Young, details an incident on September 16th (year not specified, but context suggests 1954) at the Everglades Experiment Station in Belle Glade. Fred J. Brown, a dairy worker, reported seeing a circular object approximately 35 feet in diameter with alternating red and amber lights on its underside. The object emitted a loud humming sound and an acrid odor. The presence of the object caused the station's herd of 13 cows to bolt in fear. The object was observed hovering at tree level, settling over the barn, and then veering west. It reappeared later, moving north at an estimated 30 miles per hour, causing the cattle to stampede again. Brown noted that the milk production of the herd was significantly reduced following the incident. He was unable to explain the phenomenon, comparing it to a "flying raindrop" and noting the absence of any apparent motor or propeller.

Chronological Listing of Saucer Reports

The magazine provides a detailed chronological listing of numerous UFO sightings from July and August 1953, with commentary on each:

  • July 8, 1953: San Rafael, Calif. - Round shiny silver object.
  • July 11, 1953: Sudbury, Ontario - Streak of bluelight with humming noise.
  • July 12, 1953: East of Wake Island - Green flare, possibly an airplane flare.
  • July 14, 1953: Robin Hood Dell, Penn. - Three orange lights.
  • July 16, 1953: Chicago, Ill. - Saucer-shaped object with detailed coloration and lines, moving like a hoop.
  • July 17, 1953: Near Brush Creek, Calif. - Round gleaming silver object.
  • July 17, 1953: Cody, Wyoming - Round saucer-shaped object with silvery glow, unusual 19-minute duration.
  • July 15, 1953: Shelby, Ohio - Glowing disc, brilliant red or reddish blue, pulsating.
  • July 22, 1953: Mansfield, Ohio - Red disc-shaped object, confusion with a red light or balloon.
  • July 23, 1953: San Diego, Calif. - Two brilliant greenish color round objects, fast speed.
  • July 24, 1953: Powell, Wyoming - Object reported by air spotter, no details.
  • July 24, 1953: Robin Hood Dell, Penn. - Orange colored light.
  • July 24, 1953: Sequoia Park, Calif. - Brilliant yellow fireballs.
  • July 25, 1953: Long Island, N.Y. - Two brilliant lights hovered.
  • July 25, 1953: Sequoia Park, Calif. - Yellow fireball, 1000 feet in diameter.
  • July 28, 1953: Near Cheyenne, Wyoming - Flying Saucer reported by a Pilot.
  • July 28, 1953: Lake Vermillion, Minn. - Luminous band resembling a searchlight beam.
  • July 30, 1953: Passaic, N.J. - Gray soundless disc with a large dome, hovering.
  • July 31, 1953: Chester, Pa. - Round bluish white object changing color.
  • July 31, 1953: San Clemente, Calif. - Two silvery oblong objects.
  • July 1953: Nyassa, Oregon - Light moving in an arc.
  • July 1953: Easton, England - Saucer-shaped object with a smaller ball hanging beneath.
  • July 1953: Near Glasgow, Scotland - Object shaped like a saucer, grew smaller.
  • July 8, 1953: Near Atlanta, Georgia - "Dead" Saucer.
  • August 1, 1953: Amsterdam, Holland - Six round, green objects in formation.
  • August 4, 1953: Near El Paso Gap, Texas - Large orange-red fireball.
  • August 4, 1953: Columbus, Kansas - Brilliant object resembling a sphere.
  • August 9, 1953: Moscow, Idaho - Bright flat object with loud noise.
  • August 10, 1953: Meriden, Conn. - Weather testing device found in a tree.
  • August 13, 1953: Cleveland, Ohio - Huge saucer.
  • August 16, 1953: Moderney & Emden, Germany - Flying saucer.
  • August 19, 1953: New Haven, Conn. - Flashing object tore a hole in a metal sign.
  • August 22, 1953: Magog, Quebec - Silvery cigar-shaped object trailing smoke.
  • August 23, 1953: Berkeley, Calif. - Elongated tapering object afire with smoke and fire.
  • August 24, 1953: Fullerton, Calif. - Round bright, shiny object.
  • August 25, 1953: Manhattan, N.Y. - Earth shaking explosion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the detailed accounts of UFO sightings, the analysis of their characteristics and behaviors, and the ongoing investigation by military and civilian authorities. The editorial stance, as outlined in the policy section, is to treat these reports seriously as potential evidence of extra-terrestrial craft, while maintaining a critical approach to exclude less plausible explanations. The magazine aims to provide a platform for documented evidence and reasoned analysis within the field of UFO research.

I know what it is and it's of vital importance, but it's better for me not to go any farther for the public good because it may cause another 'Orson Wells' panic.

— J. D. Des Vergers

Key Incidents

  1. 1952-08-19West Palm Beach, USA

    Scoutmaster J. D. Des Vergers reported being attacked by a flying saucer that hovered over his head and fired a 'ball of fire' which caused him to lose consciousness.

  2. 1953-07-17Cody, Wyoming, USA

    A round saucer-shaped object giving off a steady pale, whitish or silvery glow travelled from west to east for 19 minutes.

  3. 1953-07-15Shelby, Ohio, USA

    A glowing disc, brilliant red or reddish blue, appeared to pulsate and hovered for 17 minutes before swooping off, leaving a momentary trail of light.

  4. 1953-07-22Mansfield, Ohio, USA

    A red disc-shaped object made three passes over the town, with some observers reporting it as a red light that may have been a balloon.

  5. 1953-08-19New Haven, USA

    A flashing object tore a hole one foot in diameter in a metal sign.

  6. 1953-08-25Manhattan, New York, USA

    An earth-shaking explosion reportedly broke dishes, rattled windows, and knocked a man out of bed.

  7. 1954-07-23Sequoia Park, USA

    Brilliant yellow fireballs were sighted, possibly electrical phenomena instead of saucers.

  8. 1953-07-28Near Cheyenne, USA

    A flying saucer was reported by a pilot, considered authentic due to the observer's profession.

  9. 1953-08-13Cleveland, USA

    A huge saucer, bigger than a house, was seen for two minutes in the northern sky.

  10. 1953-07-17Near Brush Creek, USA

    A round gleaming silver-colored object moved in a straight line through the sky.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the editorial policy of Flying Saucer Review?

The policy is to study authentic reports on their factual basis, assuming they are caused by craft from extra-terrestrial races, and to exclude theories like aircraft, balloons, littlemen, meteors, mirages, or moonbeams.

What was the most significant personal encounter reported in this issue?

J. D. Des Vergers of West Palm Beach reported being attacked by a flying saucer that hovered over his head and fired a 'ball of fire', causing him to lose consciousness.

How does this magazine categorize UFO reports?

The magazine categorizes reports by listing them chronologically with commentary, analyzing them for possible behavior patterns, and giving credit for clippings.

What types of objects does Flying Saucer Review exclude from its analysis?

The magazine excludes theories such as aircraft, balloons, littlemen, meteors, mirages, and moonbeams from its analysis of UFO reports.

In This Issue

People Mentioned

  • J. D. Des VergersScoutmaster
  • Elliott RockmorePublisher/Editor
  • Art KielPress agent
  • Fred J. BrownDairy worker
  • June ZentWitness
  • Mr. and Mrs. Wend WellsWitnesses
  • Prof PicardObserver
  • Max MillerCommentator
  • Capt. Albert E. JonesCaptain
  • Tom WrightChief engineer
  • George SmithFirst mate
  • H. L. BrownellCook
  • +2 more

Organisations

  • ROCKMORE
  • Flying Saucer Review
  • San Diego Tribune
  • World Telegram & Sun
  • Fate Magazine
  • Saucers magazine
  • Wyoming paper
  • Mansfield News
  • Cleveland Press
  • Miami Herald
  • Los Angeles Express
  • Chester Times
  • Atterson Morning Jail
  • Minneapolis Tribune
  • +6 more

Locations

  • Brooklyn, USA
  • San Rafael, USA
  • Sudbury, Canada
  • Wake Island, USA
  • Robin Hood Dell, USA
  • Chicago, USA
  • Brush Creek, USA
  • Cody, USA
  • Shelby, USA
  • Mansfield, USA
  • West Palm Beach, USA
  • Lantana, USA
  • Lake Vermillion, USA
  • Passaic, USA
  • +6 more

Topics & Themes

UFO SightingsExtra-terrestrialGovernment InvestigationWitness Testimonyflying saucerUFOunidentified flying objectextraterrestrialsightingreportwitnessDes VergersArmyAir Force1954JulyAugustpolicyanalysis