1974: Underwater Sighting aboard USS Forrestal (cva-59)

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THINK ABOUTIT SIGHTING REPORT

Date:  July 15 1974

Sighting Time:  02:00

Day/Night:  Night

Location:  Mediterranean Sea

Urban or Rural: – Sea

No. of Entity(‘s):  

Entity Type:  

Entity Description:  

Hynek Classification:  NL (Nocturnal Light) Point or extended luminous source observed at night.

Duration:  20 minutes

No. of Object(s):  1

Height & Speed:  from 60 up to over 100 miles an hour cutting a zigzag pattern back and forth in front of the ship all this under water

Size of Object(s):  

Distance to Object(s):  about 4 miles

Shape of Object(s):  

Color/Description of Object(s):  bright light but under the water

Number of Witnesses:  Multiple

Source:  National UFO Reporting Center

Summary/Description:   In mid-summer 1974, I was stationed aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59)in the Mediterranean ocean. my rate was an E-2 signalman that means I get to stand all the worst watches. My duty station on the ship was the signal bridge a small open deck area above the con-tower ( where the Captain and the XO and the flight boss run the ship)I had just taken my watch at 02:00.

My job was to be the ship’s eye’s ( very boring really )I had just poured myself a cup of coffee and lite a cigarette and picked up a pair of binoculars as I headed out onto the deck of the bridge, I walked to the edge of the bridge and looked over the 4′ steel railing down towards the flight deck all was quiet, no movement. then I thought to myself boy I can see all the way down to the bow of the ship! sure is bright out tonight, I turned and looked up to see a 3/4 moon…nice nite!

I leaned against the railing and set my coffee down and began to scan the horizon from port to starboard, ( no waves, just flat smooth water as far as the eye can see) At that elevation of almost 180′ off the water viewing distance is about 20 miles on a clear night.

As I look from starboard back to port along the horizon line, out I would have to guess at about 8 miles was what looked like the reflection of the moon on the water but it looked kinda funny, so I pick up the binoculars and focused in on it. what I saw was what appeared to be a bright light but under the water! I then walked over to the ship’s squawk box(inter ship radio)hit the switch, leaned in, and said ..Con sigs! a second later a voice cracked back Con I, I said Con I have a contact bearing 210 off the port beam, can you confirm?

The voice said to stand by sigs. sigs.Con! I said Sigs I Sigs we have negative sonar contact ..do you have visual? my reply was affirmative Con I have visual!

The reply was stand-by Sigs! I turned picked up my coffee and heard footsteps behind me from the ladder leading up from the bridge. Within 10 minutes, I had the captain, the XO, the flight boss, and what had to be 8 or 10 officers from IOIC ( ships Intel.) All on my bridge. For the next 20 minutes, we all watched as this thing moved back and forth across the bow of the ship at what had to be from 60 up to over 100 miles an hour cutting a zigzag pattern back and forth in front of the ship all this underwater! at one point it stopped directly in our path and allowed us to come within about 4 miles of it.

Suddenly it pulled away like we were parked and disappeared into the depths. Standing in the background behind all these officers I kinda felt out of place, so I retreated to the signal shack sat down at the desk and began to fill out my log on the preceding events. Just as I was finishing up my report,a Lt.stepped into the doorway of the compartment and said the XO would like to see you.. and bring your log! As I followed him down the ladder I was thinking I’m in trouble for something!

He opened the door to the captain’s quarters and in the room were no less than 6 officers. The look on their faces was not good. The first to speak was a commander I did not recognize. his words seemed funny to me in the context of what had just happened.

He said …What do you think you saw this evening? my response was.. I have no idea, sir! He said.. Well these events are currently under investigation by the navy and you are hereby ordered not to speak of these events to anyone, not to your section chief, your division leaders not even to your buddies.. do you understand? I said what events sir ?…. He looked at me with a very serious look and said ..very well you may leave your log on the desk on the way out, you’re dismissed I said.. yes sir! turned and stepped out into the hallway as the door closed behind me.

I took two or three steps stopped and put my back to the wall and just slid to the deck. A Lt. stepped out of the room and I jumped to attention and stood there in front of him, he said all inquiries concerning your log are to be forwarded to the XO’s office, Is that understood! Yes Sir