SPACE - No 29 - 1959 05

Magazine Overview

Title: SPACE
Issue: No. 29
Date: May 1959
Publisher: Norbert F. Gariety
Editor: Norbert F. Gariety
Focus: Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma (Ufology, space exploration, and related mysteries).

In Memoriam: M. K. Jessup

The issue opens with a tribute to M. K. Jessup, who passed away on April 20, 1959. Jessup is remembered as the author of four influential books on Ufology, including 'THE CASE FOR THE UFO', 'THE UFO ANNUAL', 'THE UFO AND THE BIBLE', and 'THE EXPANDING CASE FOR THE UFO'. He is credited with bringing a respectable scientific approach to the subject, and his contributions have left an indelible mark on the field. The magazine extends sympathies to his friends and colleagues.

UFO Sightings and Government Secrecy

Montreal Incident: On April 13, Air Force authorities were reportedly baffled by a mysterious unidentified flying object seen as a red light over a key Canadian air defense establishment near Montreal. The object disappeared at a speed faster than sound, and control tower observers at St. Hubert Air Base, along with other personnel, witnessed it. A RCAF spokesman described it as a 'genuine UFO' but noted it did not register on radar screens. Descriptions varied, with some calling it a 'long red cigar' and others a 'black ball with a red light on it.' The reports were to be forwarded to the Department of Transport.

C-118 Crash Near Seattle: The issue details a mysterious incident involving the crash of a C-118 aircraft near Seattle on April 2nd. The pilot had radioed, 'WE HAVE HIT SOMETHING, OR SOMETHING HAS HIT US.' The events leading up to and following the crash are listed chronologically:

1. At 7:00 pm, mysterious aerial explosions were heard in North Seattle.
2. At 7:20 pm, a tremendous aerial explosion shook the greater Seattle area.
3. At 7:45 pm, a witness in Graham, Washington, reported seeing a brilliant glow through the timber, followed by a second glow.
4. During the early hours of darkness, mysterious lighted objects were seen in the sky over Kent, Carbondale, and Mt. Ranier.
5. Sightings in the Orting area were confirmed by the Chief of Police. However, the Public Information Officer at McChord AF Base claimed the objects were 'flares' from a parachute jump exercise, a claim denied by the News Chief at Fort Lewis.
6. Witnesses in Sumner reported that the C-118's engines were not running as it passed over, and two parachute-like glowing objects were following it, with part of the tail assembly missing.
7. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Jones of Orting also saw 3 or 4 parachute-like objects.
8. The crash occurred at approximately 8:19 pm.
9. At 10:00 pm, another series of mysterious explosions shook the Seattle area.
10. The following morning, an anonymous call stated that 'Radar at McChord AFB had picked up UFO's prior to the crash.' The McChord PIO office neither admitted nor denied this.

The magazine notes the unusual secrecy surrounding the crash, questioning why such a 'routine' event would be handled with such a 'cloak and dagger drama.' Civilian investigators reported being told by an Air Force Colonel to 'mind our own business, or else,' and that any statements had to be made through McChord Air Force Base. Witnesses who were initially talkative became silent after Air Force officers visited the town, leading to speculation about what the Air Force might be hiding, including the possibility of a crashed UFO.

New Aircraft Developments

U.S. and Britain Announce Saucer-Shaped Craft: In early April, both the U.S. and Great Britain announced their own saucer-shaped aircraft. Otis T. Carr of Baltimore revealed plans to fly a craft of this design. Britain was reported to be testing a 'sea saucer,' a 25-ft. prototype Hovercraft designed to skim across the sea. Its designers claimed it would be the forerunner of giant flying ships. The craft is shaped like a rubber dinghy with an airplane cockpit and a vertical air intake, powered by an 850-h.p. airplane engine. It is expected to skim over water at 50 m.p.h.

U.S. Saucer Test Flight Soon: A defense expert stated that the U.S. would test-fly its first flying saucer that summer, promising that the public would be 'absolutely amazed' by the new manned craft. The aircraft is described as capable of skimming close to the ground, darting between trees, dipping into valleys, and hovering. It is not designed for outer space, and its speed is secret but less than supersonic. Approximately $10 million has been invested in its development under contracts with Avro Aircraft of Canada Ltd.

'Flying Saucer' Dream Car Throws Capital Into Panic: News of the U.S. developing a 'down to earth' flying saucer caused a stir in Washington. Officials worried about the potential obsolescence of a $28 billion road program. One lawmaker suggested the money might have been better spent on 'basket-weaving classes.' The magazine interprets this 'panic' not as fear, but as an 'economic panic' due to the potential disruption to the economy.

Other Mysteries and Claims

Mystery of Lower Sea Level: The Evening Standard reported on March 6, 1959, that the sea level in Greek harbors had been dropping recently, exceeding three feet in some places. This phenomenon, which lasted for a week, was unexplained by scientists. Small boats were found sitting on the sea bottom at Nafplion Harbor.

Loch Ness Monster: A report from the Evening News described an encounter with the Loch Ness Monster, where a patrolman saw its head and neck protruding from the water. The creature was described as having a chalky white, whippet-like head and a neck about 7 feet long.

Australian Sea Monster: Another clipping from the Evening News detailed the capture of a 10-foot long, 600-pound 'sea monster' off the Australian coast. It had no teeth but rows of sharp needles down its back.

Atlantis Claim: Professor Zhirov, a Russian scientist, claimed to have amassed evidence that the lost continent of Atlantis existed and disappeared beneath the Atlantic 12,000 years ago. This theory aligns with calculations by American scientists Maurice Ewing and William Donn, who found evidence of a sudden ocean warming event 11,000 years ago in sediment cores from the Caribbean and Atlantic.

Jonathan Swift and Flying Islands: The magazine draws parallels between Jonathan Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels' and modern UFO concepts, noting that Swift described a 'flying island' with characteristics of a large spaceship, including its control of motion and a large lodestone for propulsion. The editor questions if Swift had mental contact with higher intelligences.

Dancing Mountain Lights: Strange orange lights dancing around mountains near Coeburn, Virginia, have convinced Professor Ted Gibson that something unusual is occurring. Residents have reported seeing red-orange discs landing and taking off nearby. Metallic foil strips also appeared overnight in a field.

Sun is Getting Brighter: Astronomers at Lowell Observatory reported that the sun has been getting brighter over the past five years, though they are unsure if this trend will continue. This increase in solar intensity is speculated to be related to increasing cosmic rays from space.

Atomic Fallout and Genetic Effects: An Atomic Energy Commission official estimated that radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons tests since 1952 would cause 50 to 100 additional cases of bone cancer annually in the U.S. for the next 70 years. It was also predicted that about 650 to 1,000 U.S. children would be born with 'tangible genetic effects' in the next generation.

Senator Beall on UFOs: Senator J. Glenn Beall suggested that UFOs might be spaceships and could be linked to Venus probe plans, implying intelligent beings from Venus or other planets might be visiting Earth.

AF General on Space Communication: Major General Donald J. Keirn, Chief of the Air Force nuclear-engine program, stressed the importance of communicating with other worlds, citing UFO reports as emphasizing human curiosity. He suggested that establishing a moon base or space station would be ideal for intercepting communications from advanced races.

The Vatican and Space Conquest

The magazine touches upon the Vatican's interest in space exploration and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Pope Pius XII was reportedly intensely interested in space exploration and pondered questions about original sin and God's design for beings on other planets. The Vatican is considering how to approach potential contact with intelligent beings from other worlds, questioning whether they are part of the human family and if missionaries should be sent.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of SPACE magazine strongly emphasizes government secrecy and potential cover-ups regarding UFO phenomena, particularly in the context of the C-118 crash. The editor expresses frustration with the lack of transparency and questions the official explanations provided. There is a recurring theme of technological advancement, both terrestrial (new aircraft) and potentially extraterrestrial (UFOs). The magazine also explores historical mysteries and scientific theories, such as Atlantis and the Loch Ness Monster, linking them to broader questions about the universe and humanity's place within it. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, skepticism towards official narratives, and a belief in the possibility of advanced intelligences beyond Earth. The editor encourages readers to submit their own findings and news clippings, highlighting the collaborative nature of their research.