Swamp Gas Journal - 1988 Volume 4 Number 5

Magazine Overview

Title: The SWAMP GAS JOURNAL
Issue: Volume 4, Number 5
Date: November, 1988
Publisher: Ufology Research of Manitoba
Country: Canada
ISSN: 0707-7106

This issue of The Swamp Gas Journal presents a collection of UFO-related content, with a strong focus on Canadian sightings and research. The cover features a photograph of a bright light, identified as a 'LATER' (Light-at-the-end-of-the-road), taken by Ron Gregory in Sperling, Manitoba, on August 5, 1988. The accompanying text details the sighting, noting the presence of six other witnesses and the object's duration of visibility for over two hours, sometimes accompanied by other lights. The journal also announces a new, reduced-rate mailing format.

Articles and Content

Michael Persinger's Tectonic Strain Theory

The issue begins with a mention of Michael Persinger's ongoing work on his Tectonic Strain Theory. The latest development suggests that the 'rock radiation' associated with UFO phenomena might be causing mutations in UFO investigators and witnesses, potentially leading to an increased incidence of cancer. The article warns that 'UFOs may be dangerous to your health!'

Research in Ottawa and NRC Files

The author recounts a trip to Ottawa for research at the National Library, contributing to Hilary Evans' upcoming book, 'Frontiers of Reality'. This research led to the discovery of several cases within the NRC (National Research Council) files, specifically the 'Canadian UFO Cases in the NRC Non-Meteoric Sighting Files' for 1988.

Canadian UFO Cases (1988)

A significant portion of the journal is dedicated to cataloging UFO sightings from the NRC files. These entries, dated from February to May 1988, include:

• N88/9 (February 7): Head Bay, BC - Two witnesses observed five stationary lights, one descending and appearing to land. Broken trees were found 43.8 miles away.
• N88/10 (February 14): Bowden, AL - A diamond-shaped object observed for 51 minutes through a telescope.
• N88/3 (January 21): Sault Ste Marie, ON - A 'silver object' observed near the moon for about an hour.
• N88/4 (January 21): Dunville, ON - A circular object with white, green, and yellow lights followed a car for several minutes.
• N88/5 (January 23): Androssen, AL - An object described as 'as big as a house' was observed for 5 minutes, appearing to have top, middle, and bottom sections.
• N88/6 (January 27): Nanton, AL - A series of lights, including a sphere with an orange band, approached within 100 feet of a house and hovered.
• N88/7 (February 1): Kingston, ON - A blue ball of light was seen briefly.
• N88/8 (February 1): Hythe, AL - A white light was observed for 15 minutes.
• N88/11 (February 15): Tahsis, BC - A multicoloured object observed for 15 seconds.
• N88/12 (February 19): Gander, NE - A bolide was observed, but authorities considered flares as a possible explanation.
• N88/13 (March 2): Saltspring Island, BC - Two lights with red 'umbras' and yellow centers were observed, similar objects seen earlier.
• N88/14 (March 4): Glace Bay, NS - Two flickering lights observed for 15 minutes.
• N88/15 (March 9): Burnt Point, PI - An object resembling a 'rocket booster' was observed moving quickly.
• N88/16 (March 10): Breton, AL - An oblong object with red and green lights was observed, accompanied by a humming noise.
• N88/17 (March 13): An object was observed, noted as 'not Venus'.
• N88/18 (March 13): Cape Ronge, PQ - An object observed, compared to Venus.
• N88/19 (March 15): US/CDN Border, Estevan - Seven witnesses observed a silver cylinder-shaped object with oval protrusions approach within 200 yards, hover, and then move northeast.
• N88/20 (March 16): Shippagan, NB - A round, red object observed to 'fall' slowly for 30 minutes.
• N88/21 (March 26): Edmonton, AL - An object was photographed hovering over trees.
• N88/22 (April 1): Moncton, NB - A green fireball was observed.
• N88/23 (April 6): Richmond, BC - A bright, 'dome-shaped' light observed over a neighbor's chimney.
• N88/24 (April 17): High Level, AL - A bright green light seen by numerous witnesses, travelling west to east.
• N88/25 (April 21): Mississauga, ON - A triangular arrangement of white lights on a larger object that 'banked' and appeared as a 'wagon wheel'.
• N88/26 (May 1): Matewa, ON - Two red lights moved in tandem for about 10 minutes.
• N88/27 (May 5): Dominion, NS - A diamond-shaped arrangement of four lights observed for two minutes.
• N88/28 (May 15): Montreal I., PQ - A 'big star' was observed.
• N88/29 (May 22): Port Severn, ON - An object with the appearance of an aircraft was observed.
• N88/30 (May 29): Pubnico, ON - An object observed.

Sperling LATER Investigations

The journal details further investigations into the Sperling LATER phenomenon. One expedition on August 5, 1988, involved a group of investigators and photographers who observed the bright LATER. Photographs were taken, but showed little detail. The light appeared to recede when approached.

Another expedition on August 26, 1988, by a group from the Spiritual Science Fellowship in Winnipeg, encountered rain and wind. The LATER was not visible upon arrival, but on the ride home, some members reported being 'escorted' by spacecraft, identified by one member as planets and stars.

A third expedition on September 19, 1988, also found the LATER not visible due to weather conditions.

Editorial and Correspondence

An excerpt from 'The Skeptical Inquirer' (Spring 1988) by James W. Deardorff is included, discussing the plausibility of extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI) being in our vicinity and potentially employing advanced technology that appears magical. Deardorff argues that such ETI might have strategies for interacting with emerging societies like ours, including purposeful sightings.

A letter to Chris Rutkowski from Thom Murray, Principal of Continuing Education at The Winnipeg School Division No. 1, thanks Rutkowski for a presentation on UFOs to senior citizens, praising the content and commentary.

The journal also includes a brief mention of the Gulf Breeze UFO debate, noting the controversy and the involvement of MUFON, CUFOS, and Phil Klass.

Administrative Information

Reports are telexed to various locations, including RCCPJSA/NDOC Ottawa, RCWBOCA/ACOC Winnipeg, RUCEAAA/HQ NORAD Cheyenne, RCCBNVA/CDN NRHQ North Bay, and RC/NRCC Ottawa.

The Swamp Gas Journal is published by Ufology Research of Manitoba, with mailing address Box 1918, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3R2. The editor is Chris Rutkowski. The publication is copyrighted 1988 by C. Rutkowski.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings in Canada, particularly the 'LATER' phenomenon, and the compilation of official (NRC) UFO case files. There is an underlying interest in the scientific and theoretical aspects of UFOs, as evidenced by the discussion of Michael Persinger's Tectonic Strain Theory and the inclusion of an excerpt on extraterrestrial intelligence. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious investigation and documentation of UFO phenomena, while also acknowledging skeptical viewpoints and the potential dangers associated with the subject. The journal aims to present factual accounts and research findings to its readers.