Project 10073 Record — Sighting Report 4 April 1954

This document is a Project 10073 record detailing a sighting reported on April 4, 1954, at 1835Z. The incident occurred in the Atlantic Ocean at coordinates 40.38N 44.10W. The report originated from a civilian source, specifically the crew of the motor vessel El Cafetero, including the master, Hein Pedersen. The witnesses observed a single, very large object moving in a southeast direction against the wind. The object was described as having white smoke underneath it. The report notes that the object eventually steered toward clouds and disappeared. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating agency, ATIC, is that the object was 'PROBABLY BALLOON.' The analysis provided in the record suggests that wind at altitude can be opposite to surface winds, which accounts for the observed movement against the surface wind direction, although the specific wind direction was not included in the original report. The document consists of a standard Project 10073 form and a supporting teletype message from HQ USAF WASHDC to various military commands, including COMAIRDEFCON and the Chief of ATIC at Wright-Patterson AFB.