Report of Sighting of 'Flying Discs' or Other Phenomena in the Atmosphere — Peril Strait, Alaska, 8 July 1950

This document consists of a formal report from the United States Coast Guard to the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base regarding an unconventional aircraft sighting. On July 8, 1950, between 1400 and 1402:30 hours, personnel aboard the CGC Hemlock (WAGL-217) observed an object in the vicinity of Peril Strait, Alaska, at coordinates 57-27-30 N, 135-01-40 W. The witnesses described the object as consisting of two oval discs connected by a strut, appearing opaque white in color. The object was estimated to be 100 feet by 60 feet in size, traveling at an estimated speed of 350 mph at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The witnesses reported that the object was observed banking and climbing while maintaining a heading of 290 degrees true. No sound was heard above the ship's noises, and no exhaust trail was visible. The object was observed for approximately two and one-half minutes before disappearing beyond the 1500-foot level of False Lindenberg Head. Weather conditions at the time were reported as 62 degrees Fahrenheit, with zero wind, a barometer reading of 29.83 inches, and visibility of 9 miles, with cirro-cumulus clouds moving from 080 degrees true. The report includes sketches of the object from bottom, side, and end views. The document was forwarded by B. R. Ryan of the Coast Guard on July 18, 1950, for the information of the Air Materiel Command. Additionally, the document includes a press clipping from the Wilmington News Journal dated July 12, 1950, which reports on a separate sighting of 'flying saucers' by residents in Clinton County, Ohio, on the evening of July 10, 1950. This press report describes fuzzy revolving discs or saucers seen by multiple witnesses, though it notes that Cincinnati meteorologists attributed these lights to a cloud condition.