Project 10073 Record Card: Sighting by SS Hunters Point

This document collection details a UFO sighting report filed under Project 10073. On May 6, 1957, at 2018Z, the crew of the SS Hunters Point, including the Master, J.B. Morton, observed a circular object with a black center and a brilliant fiery ring. The object was observed through binoculars and was reported to have disappeared behind clouds at an altitude of 9°1' on a bearing of 282° true. The observers explicitly stated that the object was not an astral body. The report was initially processed by ATIC and forwarded to the 4602d AISS at Ent AFB, Colorado, for investigation. The 4602d AISS conducted a follow-up investigation, which included contacting the Twelfth Naval District and other units to verify the existence of the ship and the report. It was determined that the SS Hunters Point is a tanker owned by Globe Tankers Inc. of Delaware, with its home port in Wilmington. The investigation faced difficulties in verifying the report, as the Twelfth Naval District had no record of the sighting or the message, and the communication center at Treasure Island reported no such message sent from the Pacific. Furthermore, the symbol 'PHQ' used in the report was not recognized by the Navy. Despite these discrepancies, the case was held open pending further findings. The final assessment suggested the phenomenon might have been the Arend-Roland comet, though it remained classified as unknown due to insufficient data. The 4602d AISS concluded that since the sighting occurred on the high seas, no further action would be taken by their organization unless specifically requested by higher headquarters.