Merseyside UFO Bulletin - Vol 1 No 1 - 1968

Magazine Overview

Title: Merseyside UFO Bulletin
Issue: Volume 1, Number 1
Date: January - February 1968
Publisher: Merseyside UFO Bulletin
Editor: John Harney
Science Editor: Alan W. Sharp

This inaugural issue of the Merseyside UFO Bulletin sets out its aims and policy, emphasizing its role as an informal publication designed to stimulate local interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. The editors intend to achieve this by exchanging ideas and information with ufologists both within Britain and internationally, and by inviting local readers to contribute information and assist in production. The bulletin pledges to cover all aspects of the subject in an objective manner.

Editorial: Aims and Policy

The editorial outlines the publication's mission: to foster local interest in UFOs through an informal exchange of information. It highlights the need to connect with ufologists globally and encourages local contributions. The editors commit to an objective approach to the subject.

Article: Doubts About Condon

This article delves into the ongoing debate and speculation surrounding the motives and methods of the Condon Committee, established by the U.S. Air Force to investigate the UFO problem. It references a suspicion raised by Charles Bowen of Flying Saucer Review that the committee might be a tactic to 'play for time.' The piece recounts the "awkward situation" that arose in 1965 due to a sharp increase in UFO reports, particularly in the U.S.A. The U.S. Air Force's initial explanation of bright stars in the constellation Orion for a mass sighting on August 2nd-3rd, 1965, was quickly debunked by astronomers, creating a significant credibility gap. The article cites Edwards and Fuller for their accounts of the 1965 sightings and the Air Force's reactions.

The Michigan landing reports of March 1966 are described as the 'last straw,' leading to a furore and a hearing by the House Committee on Armed Services. Dr. J. Allen Hynek, the Air Force's UFO consultant, initially offered a tentative 'swamp gas' explanation, which was distorted by the press. Hynek later clarified his views, revealing he was not a complete debunker. Public pressure and expert advice resulted in the U.S. Air Force awarding a contract in October 1966 to the University of Colorado, chaired by Dr. Edward Condon, to conduct a scientific investigation, known as the 'Condon Committee' or 'Colorado Project.'

While many 'serious' ufologists welcomed this, some with prior experiences felt the problem was inherently insoluble by conventional scientific methods. Mr. Robert J. Low, the Condon Committee's Co-ordinator, visited Britain and Europe, consulting with enthusiasts and officials. During an informal meeting of British ufologists, impressions were mixed, with some focusing on technical aspects and computer programming of UFO reports. Others, like Dr. J. Cleary-Baker, expressed misgivings about the ultimate outcome, fearing potential Air Force interference despite assurances of objectivity. The article suggests that government agencies or conservative scientific bodies might attempt to influence the report if its findings were encouraging to UFO research.

Mr. Low is described as vague regarding the committee's psychological research and the selection of members who reportedly had no prior interest in UFOs. The article notes the extensive UFO literature accumulated over twenty years and suggests the committee was only 'scratching the surface.' Gordon Creighton's review of Aimé Michel's work is cited, highlighting concerns about the Condon Committee's lack of on-the-spot field work and an attack on Mr. Low for allegedly being unfamiliar with key UFO cases and literature.

Complaints about the committee's perceived half-hearted approach to field work are noted, particularly concerning the Alamosa case. The organization NICAP complained about 'negative public statements about UFOs' made by Dr. Condon. There are also suggestions that Dr. Condon is not personally conducting the investigation but that it is being handled by the U.S. Air Force. The announcement of a permanent Soviet UFO investigation is mentioned as a potential factor, but the article concludes that the politics of ufology are complex, and those with faith in the Condon Committee might see current misgivings as a way to prepare for a negative report.

Article: The Alamosa Case

This section reprints an Associated Press report from October 6th, 1967, detailing the mysterious death of a 3-year-old Appaloosa horse in the San Luis Valley, Colorado. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Berle Lewis, believe a flying saucer caused the death, especially after the carcass was found to be radioactive. Sheriff Ben Phillips suggested lightning as the cause, while Dr. Edward Condon dismissed the story as 'pretty far-fetched' with no immediate plans for investigation. Lewis refuted the lightning theory, stating that the meat had been removed from the bones, leaving them bleached. The carcass was found on September 10th, with flesh gone from the shoulders up. Two weeks later, a Forest Service employee recorded extremely high radioactive readings, and black material, possibly from auto exhaust, showing high radioactive readings was found near the scene in irregularly-shaped spots.

Lewis suggested a secret laboratory experiment but doubted it, emphasizing the frequent UFO sightings in the area. He and his wife had been spotting strange flying objects for four years, describing them recently as pulsating green and white beacon lights or straight moving lights, and also noted strange jet-plane-like objects flying low and fast.

The article mentions that investigations by the Denver subcommittee of NICAP suggest the animal died of disease, a theory criticized by APRO and other UFO organizations. There is widespread dissatisfaction with Dr. Condon's attitude, and evidence is said to exist that NICAP's infection theory is confused and incorrect. The case is described as complex and interesting, with a promise of future details or references to other publications. An account in 'Phénomènes Spatiaux' is highlighted.

Article: Local UFO Reports

This section summarizes UFO reports from Merseyside and the North West of England, continuing from October through January, taken from local newspapers. Early reports mentioned strange noises and lights. A letter from Mr. D.J. Furlong described an 'unearthly noise' resembling a high-pitched whistling sound, confirmed by others.

On October 24th, Mrs. Joyce Hennesey of Huyton reported being awakened by an intermittent whining sound and seeing an eerie glow over the rooftops. Her children also witnessed it.

On October 21st, near Anglesey, Mrs. E.S. Dooney and her sister saw a large, star-shaped object hovering before disappearing out to sea at tremendous speed.

More reports appeared on October 26th. Mr. James Speirs of Liverpool heard a noise described as an express train or a piercing, high-pitched oscillating sound that faded after 10 minutes. Mr. Ken Rose and his wife also heard a strange whining noise.

Sightings on the night of October 25th-26th included a 'mystery object' seen in Huyton and other locations, heading towards North Wales. Later, a cluster of four or five lights was seen forming and reforming in Liverpool. A spokesman suggested these might be R.A.F. planes flying in formation.

On October 25th, 26th, and 27th, sightings occurred in Warrington. 16-year-old Ray Spencer described a light moving in irregular jerks, appearing like a round ball that disappeared rapidly. John Goodman and his girlfriend observed lights at Appleton, described as close together, one red and one white, travelling swiftly, stopping, and then reversing.

On the night of October 26th-27th, police were involved in investigations after objects were reported falling from the sky in Croxteth Hall Lane and Norris Green. A motorist, Mr. Peter Murphy, reported seeing a black, shining object flash across his windscreen. While searching, Mr. Murphy and Constable David Jackson saw an object over Norris Green, described as the size of a large plate, star-shaped, with a bright bluish-white light, hovering at about 400 feet before falling and vanishing. A search yielded nothing.

Later, the same object was seen travelling very fast away from them over the East Lancashire Road.

Mr. William Sharples of Wavertree tape-recorded a mystery noise, described as a high-pitched, continuous tone.

On the morning of October 27th, a 'flying cross' was reported from Cheshire and Derbyshire. At Stalybridge, two policemen saw an object moving side to side over Glossop, then performing up and down movements before becoming stationary. Police informed the Ministry of Defence.

Mr. George Winward of Winsford saw an elongated, glowing star-like object through a telescope and binoculars. The previous morning, a 'flying cross' was seen in Chester.

A 'silver ball' was spotted over Bromborough on October 26th, heading for an aircraft and missing it at the last moment.

On October 27th, Constable Brian Earnshaw of Bacup reported a cigar-shaped UFO hovering 250 feet above the station, described as metallic, with portholes and a low whirring sound. Two other policemen corroborated the sighting. This report, investigated by County police and the Ministry of Defence, was later dismissed by a police spokesman as a 'hoax between colleagues that went wrong,' though the constables stood by their report.

Following a lull, UFOs were reported from Wigan, Winsford, Barnston, and West Kirby on November 6th-7th. In Wigan, hundreds saw a strip of golden light hovering. Mrs. Mabel Allen of Barnston saw a large, stationary light with a terrific roaring noise, described through binoculars as a saucer-shaped object with lights.

Mr. Harold Holmes of West Kirby saw a bright red, saucer-shaped object with a cup-like shape at the back, hovering low and eventually fading away.

A UFO seen at Winsford resembled an 'elongated star.'

In November, Mrs. L.C. Ellis of Ellesmere Port saw a small, round, colourful object hovering about 200 feet in the air.

On December 28th, Miss Judith Craine and Mrs. Pat Perry of Upton-by-Chester saw strange lights hovering over a house. The object, making a throbbing noise, rose and moved off, described as a bright orange light with other green and orange lights, moving with great speed.

On January 11th, in Wigan, Mr. Edwin Clayton and his family saw a round, orange-coloured object hovering over a railway line, described as spinning with a green fringe of light.

Article: Loco Hox

This short piece details the confession of Mr. Caroll Wayne Watts, a farmer from Loco, Texas, who admitted that his stories about trips into space with 'little grey men' from Mars were a hoax. He confessed after failing a lie-detector test, stating that the tale had been implanted under hypnosis with the help of an artist who provided pictures. The artist reportedly intended to sell the story and pictures to a national magazine.

Article: Unsettled Ufologists

This article discusses the obstacles faced in the organized quest for UFO solutions. For amateurs, these include ridicule and attention from crackpots. Professional ufologists contend with 'tightly knit groups of politically motivated men.' The piece reports the collapse of the American UFO organization UAPRO due to financial reasons and disagreements. In Britain, a subcommittee is investigating the BUFORA National Council due to concerns about the suitability of some members, who have allegedly caused embarrassment to the organization in its attempts to be taken seriously by scientists and government officials. Despite some BUFORA officials advocating tolerance for the sake of obtaining finance and information, patience with flamboyant members is wearing thin. The article notes the growing influence of university UFO groups, such as those at Cambridge and Imperial College London.

Disturbing news about the Condon investigation is filtering through, with reports of two Condon team members being sacked by Robert J. Low for 'incompetence' after making it clear they took the UFO problem seriously. The prognosis for the Condon Report is currently unfavorable. The article mentions that the Russians' military investigation and announcement were expected to prompt a more serious approach from the Americans, but the Soviet investigation was condemned by the Civilian Academy of Sciences as 'sensational and anti-scientific.' The situation is summarized by Charles Bowen's statement: "The prospect before us is that, as always, we will have to go it alone!"

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The Merseyside UFO Bulletin positions itself as an objective and informative publication dedicated to exploring the UFO phenomenon. It highlights skepticism towards official investigations like the Condon Committee, suggesting potential bias and lack of thoroughness. The publication actively encourages reader participation and the sharing of local sightings, aiming to build a comprehensive database of UFO reports. There is a recurring theme of the challenges faced by ufologists in gaining credibility and the perceived resistance from official bodies and scientific establishments. The tone suggests a belief that independent research and grassroots efforts are crucial for advancing the understanding of UFOs.