Pursuit - No 18 - Vol 05 No 2 - 1972

Magazine Overview

Title: PURSUIT
Issue: Vol. 5, No. 2
Date: April, 1972
Publisher: Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained (SITU)
Tagline: "SCIENCE IS THE PURSUIT OF THE UNEXPLAINED"

This issue of PURSUIT, the journal of the Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained, offers a diverse range of articles exploring various facets of the unexplained, with a particular focus on governmental handling of UFO reports, ontological concepts, and physical phenomena.

Organization and Participation

The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained is managed by a Board of Trustees and a Governing Board, with an Executive Board handling administration. A Scientific Advisory Board of prominent scientists also counsels the Society. Membership is open to the public, with annual subscriptions providing access to the journal and the Society's resources. The Society also engages in projects as a consultative body and bestows fellowship upon individuals who have made outstanding contributions.

Notices and Publications

Due to limited facilities, overnight accommodation for visitors is no longer available, though members are welcome to visit the files by appointment. The Society clarifies that it does not hold corporate views, and opinions expressed in its publications are solely those of the authors. The Society publishes a quarterly journal, PURSUIT, an annual report, Occasional Papers, and Special Reports. Back issues of the journal are available.

Contents

The issue features a wide array of articles, including:

• The Taxonomy of Knowledge: A diagram and discussion of applied knowledge across various disciplines.
• Editorial: On the True Nature of Things by Ivan T. Sanderson.
• Ufology:
• "A Documented Case of Governmental Dishonesty" by Ivan T. Sanderson.
• "Chaos & Confusion: An Underwater Explosion – Or What?" by Robert J. Durant.
• "Fire-Walking Again"
• Ontology: "Other Universes" by Ivan T. Sanderson.
• Physics: "Sound as a Highway Hazard"
• Chemistry: "The 'Rustless' Iron Pillar at Delhi"
• Astronomy: "The Moons of Mars"
• **Biorhythms; Planets; and Astrologers"
• Geology: "On Big Things" and "Terrestrial Meteorite Craters" by Ivan T. Sanderson.
• Biology: "Thunderbirds Again and Again" by Ivan T. Sanderson.
• Anthropology: "A Rather 'Disgusting' Case" by Ivan T. Sanderson.
• Current Pursuits: Charles Fort's Notes, Members' Forum, Book Reviews.

Editorial: On the True Nature of Things

Ivan T. Sanderson, in his personal editorial, expresses his strong conviction, based on over forty years of research, that current scientific understanding of "reality" is incomplete. He notes an increasing volume of evidence emerging from orthodox scientific journals that challenges established precepts. Sanderson suggests that we may be living in a "twin" universe or are infested with the paranormal from other universes, implying two sets of "rules" or "natural laws" operating. He urges individuals, including scientists and laypeople, to share their experiences and thoughts on this "other reality" without fear of judgment.

Ufology: A Documented Case of Governmental Dishonesty

This article scrutinizes the U.S. Air Force's investigation into the 1958 sighting by Mrs. William Fitzgerald in Sheffield Lake, Ohio. The author presents "The Fitzgerald Report" by Robert J. Durant, detailing the metallic, disc-shaped object observed. The article critically analyzes the Air Force's conclusion, which attributed the sighting to mundane causes like train lights and weather, despite contradictory witness testimony and procedural oversights. The report highlights the Air Force's alleged deliberate distortion of facts, particularly concerning Mrs. Stewart's testimony, and their refusal to allow access to unclassified records, suggesting a pattern of "governmental dishonesty" and a "cover-up."

Chaos & Confusion: An Underwater Explosion – Or What?

Robert J. Durant reports on an incident witnessed by the crew of a Boeing 707 jetliner flying over the Puerto Rico Trench. The crew observed a massive, boiling mound of water, described as a "big cauliflower," rising from the ocean. The article discusses the immense pressure in the trench and speculates on the cause, including an underwater atomic explosion, possibly related to the loss of the USS Thresher, or a volcanic eruption. The author urges readers in the Caribbean to search for related newspaper reports that might shed light on the incident and its potential repercussions.

Fire-Walking Again

This section addresses the phenomenon of fire-walking, noting that while the Liedenfrost Effect explains ordinary fire-walking, there are other cases of immunity from injury that defy conventional explanation. It cites examples of individuals walking on broken glass and performing other feats without apparent harm, some of whom deny any "psychic" involvement. The article distinguishes these from trance-induced phenomena and mentions personal accounts of individuals who can walk on hot surfaces.

Ontology: Other Universes

Ivan T. Sanderson discusses the concept of "other universes" as proposed by Walter Sullivan of The N. Y. Times. Sullivan's article suggests that matter might be entering our universe from others, carrying their physical constants. Sanderson posits that these "other universes" could be coincident with ours in space but run on different "times," allowing for the possibility of highly intelligent beings creating phenomena like UFOs or monsters. He links this concept to understanding UFOs, forteana, and unexplained disappearances.

Physics: Sound as a Highway Hazard

This brief article, based on a letter from a member and research from the British Acoustical Society, highlights the dangers of infrasonics (inaudible sounds) in cars. Studies indicate that infrasonics can induce a state similar to drunkenness in drivers, slowing reaction times by 20-30 percent, especially at high speeds and with windows open. The article warns drivers to be aware of these effects and to pull over if experiencing slowed reactions or vigilance.

Other Articles

The issue also includes shorter pieces on "The 'Rustless' Iron Pillar at Delhi" (Chemistry), "The Moons of Mars" and "Biorhythms; Planets; and Astrologers" (Astronomy), "On Big Things" and "Terrestrial Meteorite Craters" (Geology), "Thunderbirds Again and Again" (Biology), and "A Rather 'Disgusting' Case" (Anthropology). The "Current Pursuits" section contains Charles Fort's Notes, a Members' Forum, and Book Reviews.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of PURSUIT revolve around the investigation of the unexplained, challenging conventional scientific paradigms, and questioning official explanations for anomalous events. The editorial stance, as articulated by Ivan T. Sanderson, is one of open inquiry, advocating for a pragmatic and realistic approach that considers all possibilities, including those that lie outside mainstream scientific acceptance. The journal actively encourages member participation and the sharing of experiences, positioning itself as a platform for exploring phenomena that are "customarily discounted."

This issue of FATE magazine, dated July 1964, features a lead article by Robert J. Durant titled "MORE ON LIGHT WHEELS," exploring the nature and cause of these phenomena. Other articles cover astronomy, geology, anthropology, and biology, including discussions on Mars' moons, the Delhi iron pillar, meteorite craters, and the legend of Thunderbirds.

More on Light Wheels

Robert J. Durant proposes a theory that the "submarine lightwheels," often described as S-shaped or sinusoidally curved radial lines of light, are caused by rotating sound waves. He explains that simple mechanical vibrations of sound excite the microorganism Noctiluca miliaris to emit light. Durant likens a rotating sound source to a rotating beam of light from a lighthouse. He uses a mathematical analysis involving "chopped up" sound impulses, or "beeps," radiated from a rotating source. The paths of these impulses, when connected, form a spiral curve. This curve, he argues, is the exact picture of the light pattern resulting from the sound. The curvature is a necessary result of the sound waves' physical vibrations exciting Noctiluca. Durant notes that observers have described the radials as "sinusoidal" but clarifies this refers to a general undulating shape rather than a precise trigonometric sine wave. The curvature's degree depends on the ratio of the impulse velocity to the source's rotational velocity. He also addresses questions about the number of radials and rotation speed, noting the difficulty in obtaining precise data from mariners. Durant suggests that the beams spread out considerably over distance, affecting observations. He leans towards machines, not animals like mating whales, as the source of these phenomena.

The "Rustless" Iron Pillar at Delhi

This section revisits an article on the "rustless" iron pillar in Delhi, India, providing a more detailed analysis based on the original work of G. Wranglen. It clarifies that the pillar's above-ground preservation is due to a protective oxide film formed by the climate, not inherent properties. The rust layer below ground is significant, with deep pits. Wranglen's research indicates that while the bright, polished section has a thin oxide film, the newly formed oxide on scraped areas eventually becomes indistinguishable from the main oxide. Exposure tests in various climates show Delhi has a relatively low corrosion rate. The article debunks suggestions of inherent slag or surface treatments, emphasizing climate as the primary factor.

The Moons of Mars

This section addresses the speculation surrounding Jonathan Swift's mention of two moons of Mars. It clarifies that Swift likely based this on Johannes Kepler's prediction in 1610, which was made based on his own observations. The moons were not discovered until about 200 years later, but Kepler's work was part of the standard curriculum in universities at Swift's time. The article dismisses the idea that these moons are artificial satellites, citing photos from Mars-probe satellites that show them to be natural hunks of rock. Carl Sagan is quoted as stating that no artificial satellite would look like them.

Biorhythms; Planets; and Astrologers

This article discusses the potential influence of planets on human behavior, a concept explored by astrologers. It notes the discovery of "Planet X" and the scientific skepticism surrounding its detection. The piece highlights research by Michel Gauguelin, who, while attempting to disprove astrology, found correlations between planetary positions at birth and the success of individuals. Gauguelin's findings suggest a hereditary tendency for individuals to be born under similar cosmic conditions to their parents, particularly influenced by closer celestial bodies like the Moon, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. The effect diminishes with distance, and Mercury shows no correlation. Crucially, these correlations break down if the birth is not natural (e.g., via Caesarean section). The article contrasts this with traditional astrological beliefs about planetary "rays."

Terrestrial Meteorite Craters

This section examines the geological evidence of meteorite impacts on Earth. It discusses cryptoexplosion structures, which resemble lunar and Martian craters, and notes that Earth's geological activity (tectonic turmoil, deposition, erosion, and water cover) has largely obscured or obliterated such impact sites. Despite this, many buried craters have been discovered through aerial surveys. The article posits that Earth has been as heavily peppered by meteorites as the Moon and Mars throughout its history. It raises the question of how life has survived this constant bombardment, especially from large bodies impacting oceans, suggesting it might be a cause of mass extinctions.

On Big Things

Ivan T. Sanderson reflects on the fascination with the size of things, from cars to bacteria. He shares his personal interest in both biological and inanimate objects of great size, mentioning experiences with professors like Julian Huxley and Albert Einstein. He recounts seeing a diamond crystal chip measuring 21 feet and a gold nugget that was three feet long. The article also mentions a tourmaline crystal of 135 feet and an island off Labrador that is a mile long and essentially one vast crystal. A recent report of a silver ore chunk, 4 feet long, yielding 1,140 lbs. of pure silver is also noted. A chart illustrating "The Size of Things" shows a tenfold increase on each rung of a ladder, comparing various life forms and objects from the universe down to an electron.

Thunderbirds Again and Again

This section revisits the legend of the Thunderbird, a giant bird described by Amerindians as a truly giant Condor with a wingspan of 30-36 feet. The article notes that early colonists found this plausible given the era's beliefs. It recounts an incident in 1962 where a United Airlines Viscount aircraft crashed, with evidence of an unidentified bird's involvement. The most intriguing part is the persistent legend of a photograph taken in 1886 in Tombstone, Arizona, showing a giant bird. Despite many people claiming to have seen it, no verifiable reference or publication has been found, and the editor of the local newspaper, The Epitaph, denies its existence. The article also mentions a separate account of a winged creature seen near Tombstone in 1890.

A Rather "Disgusting" Case

This piece by Ivan T. Sanderson details a curious incident in May 1971 where Mr. Walter Elliott discovered three boulders with inscriptions and a map resembling Norse runes on Popham Beach, Maine. The reporting on this find was contradictory, and Elliott faced difficulties getting experts to examine the stones. Eventually, Dr. O. G. Landsverk and Mr. A. Monge, experts in runic scripts, examined the stones and found them authentic, suggesting the Vinland settlement was centered in the Popham Beach area in the early 12th century. Monge provided interpretations, including details about Bishop Henrikus (Eric Gnupsson) sailing to Vinland in 1123. The article questions the precise dating of ancient documents.

Archaeology

Geoffrey Ashe, in an excerpt from "Land to the West," advocates for collaboration among archaeological specialists, suggesting that vital clues might be overlooked due to a lack of interdisciplinary cooperation. He notes that many authorities on Celtic antiquities may not have examined American antiquities, and vice versa, fearing being labeled as cranks.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores fortean phenomena, unexplained mysteries, and fringe science. The editorial stance appears to be one of critical inquiry, presenting various theories and evidence while also highlighting inconsistencies and the need for rigorous investigation. There is a clear interest in historical accounts, scientific research, and the intersection of the two, often questioning conventional explanations and encouraging readers to consider alternative perspectives. The articles often emphasize the importance of detailed observation and data, while also acknowledging the limitations of current knowledge and the challenges in verifying extraordinary claims.

This issue of The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained, identified by its page number '43' and subsequent pages numbered 44-48, appears to be from early 1972, given the reference to an IEEE-Spectrum article from June 1972 and book publication dates of 1972. The magazine focuses on a wide range of anomalous phenomena, often referred to as 'forteana'.

Contents

Norse Exploration and Historical Anomalies

The issue begins with a discussion of an article in the Maine Times concerning Norse exploration in North America, noting that the dates presented differ from those of Bishop Henrikus. It touches upon the ongoing debate about the extent of Norse presence, mentioning Mr. Elliott and his involvement with stones found on State land, for which he was compensated. The article dismisses some arguments as 'utterly puerile', particularly those from Yale, suggesting a bias from both sides of the debate.

Call for Volunteers

An "Appeal and an Offer" is extended, primarily to young people, seeking one or two individuals to assist with office routine and 'drudgery'. The role involves a wide range of tasks, from filing to tree-trimming, and requires a willingness to 'get their hands dirty'. While no salary is offered, 'pocket money' may be available, along with board and keep, use of cars at own risk, and full insurance. The commitment is two weeks, with the understanding that if personalities clash, the arrangement can be terminated.

Miscellaneous Notes and Observations

• A peculiar anecdote is shared about a psychology student at California State College who defined "tabula rasa" as a venereal disease during a midterm exam.
• The Trinity College (Cambridge) Annual Record for 1970 is cited for a mistaken report of G. B. Blaker's death, highlighting his longevity.
• A humorous example of 'truth in advertising' is given regarding a product labeled "Rice Sticks" with the ingredients simply listed as "Rice".

Current Pursuits and Research Areas

The magazine outlines several areas of active interest and research for its members:

• Ringing Rocks: Members are visiting and reporting on Ringing Rocks sites, with a request for detailed observations including date, psychological/physical experiences, rock ringing percentages, weather, camera/light meter issues, compass aberrations, and pet behavior.
• Mechanical Dowsing: Instructions have been sent to members for experiments on mechanical dowsing, with results to be reported later.
• A Chain in the Rock up the Amazon: Information on this topic is pending as a member is unpacking after a move.
• Thunder Birds: Mentioned with a reference to page 40.
• Andrew Crosse's Acari: Members are inquiring about Crosse's experiments, with a report expected later.
• Correlation Between Natural and Fortean Phenomena: Member No. 52 is coordinating efforts to study this correlation.
• Time Anomalies: This is a major interest, with a call for accounts of 'time travel' instances, including backward or forward stepping, or vehicles arriving at unexpected times.
• Absmery: Two crews are preparing for 'expeditions' to search for Sasquatch.

Charles Fort's Notes

There is a detailed discussion about the preservation of Charles Fort's original notes and clippings, which are housed at the New York Public Library. The process of cataloguing and microfilming is hampered by the library's limited weekday-only opening hours. A call is made for members in New York City to volunteer their time to assist with this preservation effort.

Members' Forum

This section features various member communications:

• Member No. 1072 assists with recycling by collecting old newspapers, glass jars, and bottles.
• An article on Nikola Tesla is noted in the IEEE-Spectrum for June 1972.
• Member No. 354 seeks contact with others interested in extreme low frequency sonic or electromagnetic effects related to fortean phenomena.
• Member No. 1052 is looking for information on solar prominences that escape the sun.
• Member No. 1025 is seeking a copy of Trevor James' book "They Live in the Sky".
• Member No. 922 is requesting UFO photos and 'pen-pals' for information exchange.
• A reminder is given for members wishing to visit to call several days in advance.
• Member No. 944 has resurfaced after a period of no communication, related to trips to the Ringing Rocks. Directions and warnings are provided for visiting the Ringing Rocks site in Pennsylvania, including the illegality of removing rocks and the recommendation to use a wooden mallet instead of metal hammers. A map is included.

Book Reviews

Several books are reviewed:

• Occult America by John Godwin: Praised as a 'must' for forteans and non-forteans, it explores the rise of mysticism and the occult in the US, examining motivations and workings, and categorizing books into 'debunkers' and 'boosters'. It highlights the financial success of astrology and the challenges faced by scientific study of the paranormal.
• Monster Hunt by Tim Dinsdale: An updated edition of "The Leviathans", focusing on freshwater and sea monsters, particularly the Loch Ness Monster. Dinsdale's ten years of research and a 1960 film are discussed. The review notes the book's detailed accounts of sightings and the hazards involved in the pursuit.
• The Curious World of Twins by Vincent and Margaret Gaddis: Explores the biological basis of twinning, including fraternal, identical, mosaics, and parasitic fetuses. It also covers 'links' between twins, such as simultaneous death, parallel existences, and psychic phenomena.
• Insect Behavior by Philip S. Callahan: Described as an introduction to entomology, it contains 'fortean material' and practical advice for amateurs, including building insect traps.
• Mysteries From Forgotten Worlds by Charles Berlitz: Covers ancient civilizations, with a focus on Atlantis. The review notes that much of the material is not new and is covered in other books. It criticizes the lack of an index and poorly redrawn illustrations.
• Forbidden Land by Robert R. Lyman: The first of two volumes chronicling unusual and unexplained events in the Black Forest of northern Pennsylvania from 1614 to 1895.
• Slavery: Past and Present by Roy Pinney: A book recommended for its historical perspective on slavery, noting it is not a fortean topic but is important reading.

Organizational Information

The issue concludes with the listing of the Governing Board, Administrative Board, and Scientific Advisory Board of The Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained, detailing their roles and affiliations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently promotes the investigation of anomalous phenomena, encouraging member participation and the sharing of observations. There is a clear interest in historical mysteries, cryptozoology, and the occult, with a critical yet open-minded approach to evidence. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation and the pursuit of 'truth' in unexplained matters, while also acknowledging the challenges and skepticism faced by researchers in these fields. The publication serves as a platform for members to share their findings, queries, and research interests within the broad scope of fortean studies.