Reports of Unidentified Flying Objects attract the RCMP’s Attention

The Clarenville UFO sighting of 1978 stands as one of Canada's most compelling and well-documented cases of unexplained phenomena. Unlike many fleeting reports, this event is distinguished by the detailed testimony of a key witness: Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Constable James Blackwood, who provided a rare, official account of the event.

On the night of October 27, 1978, Constable Blackwood received a call from dispatch regarding a UFO sighting in progress. He drove to Marine Drive, where he met a resident, Mr. Lethbridge, and several other locals. Initially, Blackwood observed an object flying from the west, heading eastward at an estimated altitude of 2,000 to 3,000 feet, which he initially dismissed as a high-flying jet. However, upon being handed a pair of binoculars by Lethbridge, the 25-year-old officer realized he was looking at something completely unidentifiable. The object was hovering over the district of Weybridge and did not resemble any known aircraft.

Seeking a closer look, Blackwood radioed for the police detachment's industrial telescope, typically used for narcotics surveillance. With another officer, he set up the powerful scope and focused it on the object now hovering over the northeast coast of nearby Random Island. Through the lens, Blackwood saw an oval-shaped craft with flashing blue lights on either side and a red light on top. The bottom half was completely illuminated by a bright white light, and a triangular, pyramid-like fin protruded from the back, which seemed to move as the craft shifted.

In his report, Blackwood provided a meticulous description of the object. He noted its size, which appeared to be "a little larger than a 737 aircraft," and its construction. It was "definitely a metallic structure," but the metal was not smooth or shiny like an aircraft. Instead, it was "very dull and not shiny at all... very coarse looking." Critically, the craft was completely silent, and the officer saw no windows or doors. He also noted its peculiar movement: it would slowly shift but then make quick up-and-down movements before returning to its original position.

The most extraordinary part of the encounter occurred when Blackwood, in an attempt to communicate, flashed his police cruiser's high beams. The craft instantly responded, perfectly mimicking the flickering light. This responsive behaviour, a phenomenon reported in other sightings such as those involving the "Charlie Red Star" in Manitoba, left Blackwood in no doubt that the object was intelligently controlled. After hovering for a couple of hours, the craft slowly began to move, then shot off at jet speed, disappearing in a split second.

The credibility of a police officer's eyewitness account, backed by multiple civilian witnesses and a detailed official report, has cemented the Clarenville incident as a landmark in Canadian UFO history.

Canada's Unexplained Phenomena: A Collectible History

The enduring legacy of the Clarenville event is perhaps best symbolized by its commemoration by the Royal Canadian Mint in 2020. To honour the event, the Mint issued a 1 oz. Pure Silver Glow-in-the-Dark Coin as part of its "Canada's Unexplained Phenomena" series. This unique, square-shaped coin features a glow-in-the-dark element that highlights the mysterious, hovering saucer and its reflection on the water, as depicted by artist Adam Young.

The coin's design captured the essence of the encounter, showing the UFO from the perspective of the witnesses, including Constable Blackwood's police cruiser in the foreground. With a mintage limited to just 5,000, these collectible pieces sold out quickly, initially selling for a whopping $129.95 each. Their rapid sale and unique features underscore the public's fascination with these mysteries.

Sources:

The Into-The-Portal Podcast.  EPISODE XXXVII: THE CLARENVILLE UFO INCIDENT, November 20,2018 https://www.intotheportal.com/into-the-portal-blog/2018/11/20/episode-xxxvii-the-antikythera-mechanism-decoding-ancient-technologies

Random Island UFO sighting immortalized on coin (plus it glows)

Coin designed by Fogo Island artist Adam Young

CBC News · Posted: Oct 13, 2020 7:25 PM NDT | Last Updated: October 13, 2020 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/random-island-ufo-sighting-coin-royal-canadian-mint-1.5760276

The Royal Canadian Mint. https://www.mint.ca/en/shop/coins/2020/1-oz-pure-silver-glow-in-the-dark-coin-canadas-unexplained-phenomena-the-clarenville-event#:~:text=The%201978%20Clarenville%20Incident%20is,has%20never%20been%20satisfactorily%20explained%E2%80%A6

YouTube, RCMP Officer Interview - UFO Sighting 1978 https://youtu.be/LXmXIVOT4Fk?si=hEogaZEMIR5Yu2Ul

Tragedy in the Train Yard: A Clarenville Ghost Story

In the summer of 1937, the quiet town of Clarenville, Newfoundland, was gripped by a chilling mystery. Death had cast a dark shadow over the community, claiming four lives in a matter of days. The story began with a seemingly simple act, a shared drink of "Colombian" spirit, a highly refined and odourless methylated spirit used in the manufacturing process at the local COLAS asphalt plant. It turned out to be a deadly mix. Charles Lyons, the plant's chief engineer, and Patrick McHugh, the night watchman, were the first to succumb to the deadly elixir. Their untimely deaths sent shockwaves through the town. As the investigation unfolded, another victim emerged: Michael Williams, a railway employee, who succumbed to the poison's effects. The fourth victim, Edward Long, was rushed to the Grace Hospital in St. John's, his life hanging by a thread. The poison, it seemed, had a delayed effect, its deadly work taking hold after 24 hours. Long, partially blind and paralyzed, he fought for his life, but the odds were stacked against him. Sergeant Walsh, a seasoned investigator from the Criminal Investigation Department, arrived in Clarenville to unravel the tragic puzzle. He meticulously examined the scene, collected evidence, and interviewed witnesses. The town was shrouded in a pall of fear and confusion. The once-familiar "Colombian" spirit had turned into a silent killer, claiming lives with chilling efficiency. The bodies of the victims were transported to St. John's, where a post-mortem examination was conducted. The recovered spirits were sent for analysis, hoping to shed light on the deadly properties of the substance. As the investigation continued, the town of Clarenville remained haunted by the spectre of death, a chilling reminder of the tragic consequences of a fatal mistake.

The biting wind whipped across the desolate ice, carrying with it the mournful sigh of the sea. It was a winter of unparalleled severity, a time when the very breath of nature seemed to freeze. The year was 1870, and the small coastal communities of Newfoundland were locked in the icy grip of a relentless winter.

On a fateful Sunday evening, four souls ventured out onto the seemingly solid ice of Smith Sound. Mr. and Mrs. Hogarth, along with Mr. William Wiseman and Mrs. Mary Ann Lenard, were making their way home to Shoal Harbour after a visit to Snooks Harbour. As they traversed the icy expanse, a treacherous layer of slush and snow concealed a deadly secret: a treacherous patch of open water, the infamous "Bar Water."

Unbeknownst to them, the tide had shifted, creating a dangerous current that had eroded the ice. As they stepped onto the fragile surface, the ice gave way, plunging them into the icy depths. A chilling scream pierced the frigid air, a desperate cry for help that echoed across the frozen wasteland.

Eli Stanley, a resident, was making his way home when he heard the horrifying sound. He rushed to the edge of the ice, his heart pounding with fear. In the fading light, he could see Mrs. Hogarth, her silhouette etched against the darkening sky, desperately clinging to the edge of the ice. But before he could reach her, she too was swallowed by the icy abyss.

The tragedy sent shockwaves through the community. A search party was immediately organized, but the harsh winter conditions made the task nearly impossible. Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of the missing four. The icy grip of the Bar Water held them captive, a chilling reminder of the unforgiving power of nature.

The memory of this tragic event has been passed down through generations, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath the seemingly serene surface of the ice. Even today, locals speak of the Bar Water with a mixture of awe and dread, a haunting legacy of a bygone era.