Quest - Vol 5 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: QUEST
Issue: Vol. Five, No. One (Whole No. 25)
Date: September-October, 1973
Price: 50¢
Publisher: GALAXY PRESS

This issue of QUEST magazine features two main investigative articles: one on the enduring mystery of sea serpents and another delving into the historical reality behind the legend of Count Dracula. The magazine is edited by Kurt Glemser and features contributions from various staff members and advisors.

Sea Serpents: Denizens of the Deep

By Byron Morris, an oceanographer with the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, this article explores the persistent belief in sea serpents, a myth that has survived through civilization while others like mermaids and unicorns have faded. The article highlights the Loch Ness Monster as a modern example of public fascination with such creatures, but also delves into historical accounts from Canada.

Morris recounts the first recorded sighting in Canadian waters on July 15, 1825, in Halifax Harbor. Multiple independent observers described a creature with a body as big as a large tree trunk, approximately 60 feet long, with eight coils or humps, and its head held about three feet above the water. The following summer, on June 16, 1826, an Englishman named William Warburton observed a similar creature south of Newfoundland, describing it as having humps on its back and resembling a dromedary in size and shape.

The article notes that Dr. Bernard Heuvelmanns categorizes these as 'many-humped' sea serpents. Further sightings are detailed, including one on May 15, 1833, in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia, where officers and enlisted men of the Navy described a creature with a head about six feet long and a body estimated to be 80 to 100 feet long. Reverend John Ambrose, a Nova Scotia naturalist, compiled reports in 1864, including an 1846 sighting by James Wilson and James Boehner in St. Margaret's Bay of a serpent estimated to be 70 to 100 feet long with a head the size of a barrel and a mane.

Another account from 1849 in St. Margaret's Bay describes fishermen observing a creature that raised its head about 10 feet above water. The article also mentions a smaller sea serpent encountered in 1864 by William Crooks and his son Henry, reportedly about 16 feet long. The text notes that after these sightings, sea serpent reports in the Maritimes became less frequent, with a notable exception being a 'sea giraffe' sighted in August 1913 off the Grand Banks. Sightings then shifted to the coast of British Columbia, with the earliest reported being in 1846 by Captain Hope in the Gulf of California, described as a 'mer horse'. Mrs. Hildegaard Forbes reported seeing a creature about 40 feet long in August 1912, bound for Skagway, Alaska, which was definitely snake-like with a mane resembling seaweed.

Dracula Did Walk The Face Of The Earth NOW!

This section investigates the historical figure of Prince Dracula, separating the man from the vampire myth. It begins by describing the Carpathian Mountains in northern Romania as a land of deep mystery and superstition, associated with evil.

The Historical Prince Dracula

The article identifies two notable figures from this region: Attila the Hun and Count Dracula. It focuses on the latter, presenting him as a nobleman who became a symbol of evil. The research presented is attributed to Boston College historians Dr. Raymond McNally and Dr. Radu Florescu.

Dr. McNally, a professor of Russian history, became interested after seeing the 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi and reading Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula." He found historical and geographical facts in the book, prompting a 15-year search for the real person. He collaborated with Dr. Radu Florescu, an expert in Romanian and Balkan history.

Their research involved examining ancient manuscripts in museums across Romania, Austria, and Germany. They found a portrait of Prince Dracula in the Castle Ambras near Innsbruck, Austria, depicting him as a bull-necked man with dark, piercing eyes and a heavy mustache. His castle ruins were later found atop a 300-foot precipice near the border of Wallachia and Transylvania.

The Brutality of Prince Dracula

The article details the extreme violence and cruelty attributed to the historical Prince Dracula, who ruled a medium-sized kingdom in what is now central Romania for almost two decades in the 1400s. He is described as a cunning and vicious ruler responsible for the murder of over 100,000 people during his reign.

• Examples of his brutality include:
• Rounding up 20,000 innocent Turks and Romanian noblemen and impaling them on sharpened stakes.
• Announcing a banquet for the poor, sick, and aged, then sealing the house and burning it down, killing over 1,000 people.
• Ordering the arrest and massacre of over 20,000 inhabitants of a city where a political enemy had sought sanctuary, involving impalement, beheading, and dismemberment.

Woodcut illustrations from the 15th century depict these events, with one showing Prince Dracula at a table eating flesh while a soldier dismembers bodies, and rows of impaled victims in the background.

The Dracula Legend

Bram Stoker's 1897 novel "Dracula" is credited with creating the popular vampire myth. Stoker's meticulous detail in describing the "Count's" castle and even the name of a Russian steamship, the "Demeter," which transported Dracula's body, has led historians to wonder about the extent of his research. The novel became an instant success and later inspired the iconic 1931 film starring Bela Lugosi.

The legend portrays Dracula as an evil spirit who sleeps in a coffin by day and rises at night to suck the blood of victims, being powerless during daylight hours. The novel suggests the real Count Dracula was slain by a stake through the heart and decapitation.

However, many residents of the Carpathian Mountains believe the Count will always be present, waiting in the shadows. Cases like the death of Anna Petipa in Avrig, Romania, in 1971, where the victim was found with two small wounds at the base of her neck, fuel these fears. Inspector Marucus Kolman, while investigating the death, dismissed the supernatural explanation, stating the killer was a real person and that the legend is perpetuated by writers and novelists.

Dr. Florescu offers insight into Prince Dracula's character, suggesting he was not an absolute madman but occasionally became demented, with an obsession for impalement. His terrorism was excessive even for his age, and during his "demented" periods, he murdered at least 100,000 people.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores themes of the unexplained, the supernatural, and historical mysteries. The editorial stance appears to be one of investigation and presentation of evidence, encouraging readers to consider controversial subjects beyond the scope of orthodox science. The articles aim to provide detailed accounts and historical context for phenomena that capture public imagination, whether it be cryptids like sea serpents or the historical roots of legendary figures like Dracula.

Subscription and Book Offers

The issue includes a subscription form for QUEST, offering a free book with each one-year subscription or renewal. A list of available UFO and supernatural-themed books is provided, along with their prices. Additionally, a separate advertisement promotes "CAVEAT EMPTOR," a new magazine covering a spectrum of strange events, available by subscription for $2.00 per year.

Notable Quotes

• "There she goes, stunt flying again"
• "It is the writers and novelists who keep this unfortunate legend alive," he complained. “When I arrest the murderer and he turns out to be a flesh and blood person, there will be no mystique left and nobody will want to write about it." - Inspector Kolman
• "I believe he occasionally became demented, but I would not call him an absolute madman... His terrorism, I would say, was excessive even for his age. When he did become demented, he obviously had an obsession to impale people." - Dr. Radu Florescu

Title: Spaceview Magazine
Publisher: SPACEVIEW MAGAZINE, Dept.
Country: USA
Price: $2.95
Cover Headline: If you are fascinated by Flying Saucer Topics, Space News, UFO News, then Spaceview is meant for you!

This issue of Spaceview Magazine is dedicated to exploring various unexplained phenomena, with a strong emphasis on eyewitness accounts and historical records.

Cadborosaurus: The British Columbia Sea Serpent

The magazine extensively details sightings of a large sea creature, popularly known as Cadborosaurus or 'Caddy', in the waters off British Columbia. The accounts begin with Major W. H. Langley's testimony in October 1933, describing a loud noise and a large object near Discovery and Chatham Islands. This was followed by a vivid description from F. W. Kemp in August 1932, who, with his family, observed a creature resembling a reptile or serpent, estimated to be at least 80 feet long, in the channel between Strong Tide Island and Chatham Island. Kemp described its movements as crocodile-like and noted a mane-like drift around its head.

Archie Wills, then news editor of the Victoria Daily Times, gathered nearly a hundred verified reports of similar sightings, eventually naming the creature Cadborosaurus. The Chinook Indians were also familiar with it, calling it 'Hiachuckaluck'.

Further sightings are chronicled: in April 1942, off Estevan Point, where fishermen believed a Japanese submarine was firing at Caddy; in spring 1943, when Ernest Lee claimed to have rammed the monster off Vancouver Island; in early 1947, when Henry Schwarz found remains that were identified as a basking shark; on February 5, 1950, by Judge James Thomas Brown; on February 13, 1953, by about ten people in Qualicum Bay; in February 1954, by inhabitants of Nanaimo; in April 1958, a 12-foot serpent was seen off Whidbey Island; on July 19, 1959, an entire family fishing near Race Rocks saw Caddy's jagged dorsal crest; and on Boxing Day, 1960, a Sidney couple observed Caddy heading southwards, attracted by gulls.

The era of Caddy sightings seems to conclude in February 1962 with a report by Mr. and Mrs. Alan Maclean of a 18-foot creature, possibly a baby Caddy, near Campbell River.

UFOs and Other Mysteries

Beyond sea serpents, the magazine touches upon other unexplained events. A brief mention is made of a UFO sighting off the English coast, described as a 'luminous wheel' spotted by Bournemouth coastguards.

Book Reviews

The issue includes reviews of several books:

• A Dream of Dracula by Leonard Wolf: Reviewed as a literary treatise that delves into the subject of Dracula and vampiric rituals, referencing numerous other authors and exploring themes of Christianity, insanity, sexuality, and death. While praised for its research, it's noted that the general reader might find the digressions extensive.
• Inside the Cults by Tracy Cabot: This book examines various American cults, including Scientology, Hare Krishna, and the Church of Satan, categorizing them into sections like 'Church or Cult?', 'Sex Cults Everywhere', 'Utopia For The Asking', 'East Moves West', and 'Cults of Violence'. It exposes money-making schemes of groups like the Mormons and Scientology.
• The Illustrated Book of Modern Witchcraft: Eleven authors contribute to this book, covering British and American witchcraft practices and featuring personalities like the Bucklands, Sybil Leek, Alex Sanders, and Anton LaVey. It is profusely illustrated and includes scenes from the film 'Witchcraft '70'.
• Topless/Bottomless: A booklet described as a photo essay of topless dancers and related subjects.
• It's Uncanny by John Macklin: A collection of occult stories about disappearances, precognition, and curses.
• Raquel Welch: An album of photographs.
• UFO Catalog: A catalog of UFO books.

Letters and Personal Accounts

A letter from Joel Amkraut praises Spaceview Magazine for its quality despite a low budget. Another letter from Richard Woytak recounts a personal experience in southern Poland. While waiting for a train in Zomkowic Slasue (known as Frankenstein under the Germans), he explored the town and discovered a ruined castle. He then visited the local church and found a family chapel with inscriptions, eventually locating a plaque for 'Frankenstein, Doctoris Philosophiae, Baron Etc. 1727', suggesting a connection to the Frankenstein myth.

Loch Ness Monster

An article titled 'Chased, baited and filmed, Nessie eludes scientists' details the ongoing investigation into the Loch Ness Monster. It describes the patience required by scientific investigators, the various theories about Nessie's identity (from giant eel to plesiosaur), and the legal protection afforded to the creature since 1934. Recent sightings conform to a composite description of a giraffe-like head, elephant skin, and a reptile-like wiggle. The Bureau leans towards the theory of a 'breeding herd' cut off from the sea, with estimates of 20 to 50 individuals.

Other Short Items

• Dog Senses Death-and Wins a V.C.: A story about a St. Bernard named Caesar who saved his owner, Anna Buck, from a collapsing roof during a hurricane in Germany.
• Lost Ship Mystery: A joint team of scientists and military personnel discovered the wreck of the ship 'Elmaren', which vanished 52 years prior. The wreck was found miles off its reported course, with unusual features like aluminum girders and a lack of crew remains, adding to the mystery.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently features accounts of unexplained phenomena, particularly sea serpent sightings and UFOs, presenting them as credible based on eyewitness testimony. There's a clear interest in folklore, local legends, and the paranormal. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into these subjects, encouraging reader participation and providing a platform for diverse accounts and book reviews related to the unexplained. The inclusion of historical context, such as the Chinook Indian legends and the Frankenstein town discovery, adds depth to the presented mysteries.