SPACE - No 57 - 1961 09

Magazine Overview

SPACE, published monthly from Coral Gables, Florida, by Norbert F. Gariety, presents its September 1961 issue (Bulletin No. 57). The magazine's subtitle, 'Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma,' reflects its broad scope, which extends beyond UFOs to encompass other unexplained phenomena and, notably, the political climate of the Cold War.

Cover Headline and Art

The cover prominently features the title "SPACE" in large, stylized lettering. An illustration in the upper right depicts a flying saucer emitting a beam of light, reinforcing the magazine's primary theme. The issue date is September 1961.

Lead Story: Beaufort, SC UFO Sighting

The lead article, "FLYING OBJECT TERRIFIES BEAUFORT FISHING PARTIES," details a spectacular sighting on August 24, 1961. Fishermen near Beaufort, South Carolina, reported an object described as "a city block long and as high as a huge building," shaped like a whale, and making no noise. It emitted a rosy glow from its nose and a vapor trail from its rear before disappearing over the ocean. At least 10 independent witnesses corroborated the descriptions. The sighting occurred shortly after 5 a.m., coinciding with the launch of an Atlas Agena rocket from Cape Canaveral. Jack D. Pollitzer, one of the witnesses, speculated it might have been a reflection of the rocket, a notion the editor questions due to the perceived distance. Sheriff J. E. McTeer noted that some witnesses were scared, while others were ashamed to report such a "fantastic tale," adding, "I thought for a while that visitors from another planet were looking us over."

Other UFO Reports

Waterford, Michigan Sighting

Another report, "QUEER SKY BALL BAFFLES LOCAL SPOTTERS AND POLICE," describes a "bright moving object" seen on July 10, 1961, in Waterford Township, Michigan. Discovered by two fishermen at 3:00 a.m., the object was reported to hover treetop high and move vertically. It was described as a "huge ball with prongs," changing from white to gold to orange. Police and deputies responded, and Selfridge Air Force Base officials stated they would not investigate as "many such calls are erroneous."

San Bernardino, California Sighting

A UFO was reported by Mrs. Betty Broman in San Bernardino, California, on August 1, 1961. She and her family observed an object shaped like a "wide arrow point with a cylindrical shaft," possibly twice as long as a house. It hovered, then ascended "terrifically high" for nearly half an hour. The object was described as gray or silver, with the base turning red, and it disappeared to the east.

Prescott, Arizona Sighting

Lee Ganger, a former airline pilot, reported seeing a "flying saucers" on the night of August 1, 1961, in Prescott, Arizona. He described a "glowing object streaking across the sky at tremendous speed" at an altitude of 40,000 to 50,000 feet, sometimes appearing to radiate heat. He followed it with binoculars as it moved towards Flagstaff.

Waterford, Michigan Sighting (Second Time)

On July 12, 1961, a second sighting occurred in Waterford Township, Michigan. A "round ball" changing from red to gold to white was observed by Roger White and others. Township police, equipped with telescopes, watched the object move swiftly northward until it was over the horizon. Air Force officials again stated they would not investigate.

Exeter, England Sighting

On June 19, 1961, a "mysterious flying object" hovered over Exeter, England, for over an hour. Officials at the local airport confirmed it was seen on radar and observed for some time, estimating its size as "pretty big" and its altitude at "about 50,000 feet up."

Worcester, Massachusetts Sighting

Armand Laprade and his sons observed a bright yellow object moving rapidly on August 1, 1961, in Worcester, Massachusetts, while observing planets. They also saw other yellowish lights moving rapidly. Later, a small, unmoving object flared up, turned reddish-purple, and then yellow as it moved northeast.

Keizer, Oregon Sighting

Four flying objects, described as white, orange, and red, were seen by three young girls in Keizer, Oregon, on August 4, 1961. The objects appeared at five-minute intervals, with the white ones fading and the orange and red ones drifting northeast.

Eagle Bend, Minnesota Incident

A report from May 25, 1961, details a "strange, frightening phenomenon" witnessed by Richard Vogt near Eagle Bend, Minnesota. A "ball of fog, approximately 3 feet in diameter," descended at a 45-degree angle and struck his automobile, causing intense heat and damage to the hood and windshield.

Cincinnati, Ohio Sighting

On August 31, 1961, dozens of Cincinnati residents reported seeing a "moving red light that exploded in a white flash and disappeared." The Cincinnati Weather Bureau could offer no explanation.

Prineville, Oregon Sighting

On August 10, 1961, an "unidentified flying object, moving slowly" was sighted near Prineville, Oregon. It was described as brighter than a first magnitude star and was observed moving southwest.

Salmon, Idaho Sighting

Two women in Salmon, Idaho, reported seeing a "large ball of fire in the sky above the trash dump hill" on August 3, 1961. The object was described as a "ball of fire with a tail behind it, and shaped like a pollywog."

Madisonville, Kentucky Sighting

Mrs. Jo Evelyn Durham reported a "strange object in the sky" on August 11, 1961, in Madisonville, Kentucky. It was described as a "black disc with a golden streak trail" that came from the northeast, circled, and then climbed swiftly.

Wichita, Kansas Sighting

On August 15, 1961, a UFO spotted in Cunningham, Kansas, was also seen in Wichita. Mrs. Emma Pratt described a "bright object in the sky similar to the one viewed and reported by W. D. Cramer." Cramer described a "rapidly moving bright object" that slowed overhead. Mrs. Pratt and a companion observed an object described as a "dirigible shape and emitting a dull glow," similar to a "mother-ship" for interplanetary travel.

Editorial Stance: Anti-Communism and 'Celestial Enigma'

The magazine dedicates significant space to political commentary, particularly concerning Communism. The editor, Norbert F. Gariety, defends the publication's inclusion of anti-Communist themes, arguing that "Celestial" refers to the heavens and "Enigma" to a mystery. He posits that the greatest mystery is how the USA allows itself to be "bullied, threatened" by an enemy it refuses to recognize, operating on the "psychological and economic front." Gariety criticizes those who wish to keep the publication solely focused on saucers, suggesting they subscribe to Communist publications like "THE PEOPLES WORLD" or "THE WORKER" if they disagree with his stance.

He references Dante's "INFERNO" to condemn inaction during moral crises: "THE HOTTEST PLACES IN HELL -- ARE RESERVED FOR THOSE -- WHO IN TIME OF MORAL CRISES, OR DANGER-----DO NOTHING!"

The editor addresses a complaint about "false advertising," clarifying that while the publication is named "Saucer Phenomena and Celestial Enigma," it has always covered "all articles of the strange, unusual and the unexplained." He argues that the "celestial enigma" includes the threat of Communism gradually eroding freedom through infiltration and blustering.

Attack on Anti-Communists

A section titled "ATTACK ORDERED ON ANTI-COMMUNISTS" details testimony given to the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee by Edward Hunter. Hunter, described as a "psychological warfare expert" and originator of the term "brainwashing," testified that Moscow ordered a "frontal attack" on the anti-Communist movement in the US. He claimed that orders for this "Red Anti-Communist drive" were issued in December 1960, aiming to trap the administration, press, and public to eliminate the anti-Communist program. Hunter identified Robert Welch of the John Birch Society, General Edwin A. Walker, and Dr. Fred C. Schwarz as targets of this campaign. He further stated that a "fundamental objective of the Red drive is to cut off Pentagon participation in the anti-Communist grassroots movement."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings and the perceived threat of Communism. The editorial stance is strongly anti-Communist, viewing the Cold War as a psychological and economic battleground. The editor defends the magazine's broad coverage of "strange, unusual, and unexplained" phenomena, arguing that the "celestial enigma" encompasses not only UFOs but also the existential threat posed by Communism to Western freedom and society. The magazine encourages reader participation by submitting news clippings of UFO reports.