Reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) above bodies of water have been a recurring theme in UFO sightings and encounters. Many individuals have claimed to witness strange, glowing lights and other anomalous aerial phenomena hovering above lakes, rivers, and oceans. Some of these sightings are accompanied by claims of encounters with beings from other worlds and even encounters with advanced underwater vessels. These reports have sparked much speculation and debate among both UFO enthusiasts and skeptics. While the evidence for the reality of these events is largely anecdotal, they continue to captivate the public imagination and raise questions about the possibility of extraterrestrial life and advanced technology beyond our current understanding.
One of the most famous cases like these took place at Shag Harbour.
On October 4, 1967, something strange was reported to have crashed into the waters of Shag Harbour, a small fishing village in Nova Scotia, Canada. This event was considered the first significant UFO incident in Canadian history and has been the subject of investigations by various Canadian and American agencies.
Before the incident, several aerial phenomena were reported over the Atlantic coast. For instance, while flying over Quebec, the pilots of Air Canada Flight 305 reported seeing a brilliantly lit, rectangular object with a string of smaller lights trailing it. A large object was also seen maneuvering above the southwestern horizon by several individuals in Mahone Bay. Furthermore, Captain Leo Howard Mersey, who was standing at the wheelhouse of MV Nickerson of Sambro, Nova Scotia, reported seeing four bright objects in a rectangular formation that were stationary on his Decca radar. Additionally, the Chronicle-Herald and local radio stations reported glowing objects flying around Halifax at around 10:00 pm on the night of the incident.
The incident itself occurred at around 11:20 pm on October 4, 1967. At least eleven people reported seeing a low-flying lit object heading towards the harbour. After hearing a whistling sound like a bomb, followed by a “whoosh” and finally a loud bang, the object was seen floating 250 to 300 meters offshore. The RCMP detachment was notified, and a rescue mission was quickly assembled. Despite the efforts of local fishing boats and the Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue cutter, no survivors, bodies or debris were found.
The next morning, the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) in Halifax determined that no aircraft were missing and dismissed all conventional explanations such as aircraft, flares, etc. The head of the Air Desk at air force headquarters in Ottawa then sent a priority telex to the navy headquarters recommending an underwater search for the object. The Canadian military was involved in the subsequent rescue/recovery effort, but the object was never officially identified.
The Shag Harbour UFO incident remains a mystery to this day, and many theories have been put forward to explain the events of that night. Despite the investigations and reports, the object remains unidentified, and the true nature of what happened on that fateful night remains unknown.
It was a significant event in Canadian history that continues to attract attention and speculation. With no concrete explanation for the events of that night, it remains one of the most intriguing and mysterious UFO cases of all time.