An extraordinary and remarkable event that transpired in 1967 would practically put the small fishing village of Shag Harbor firmly on the map. Nestled at the southern tip of beautiful Nova Scotia, this quaint rural community would become the host to one of the best documented and most intriguing UFO events of the past 40 years, captivating the imagination of both locals and enthusiasts alike.
Named after the "shag," which is a bird belonging to the cormorant family, the harbor was quite literally left off the majority of maps produced during that era. However, this significant oversight would soon be changed once and for all, marking a turning point in its recognition and importance.
The tiny fishing community, with its close-knit atmosphere and rich maritime heritage, has always been a treasure trove of intriguing stories... tales of giant sea serpents lurking beneath the waves, man-eating squid waiting to ensnare the unwary, and ghostly ships drifting silently through the fog. The colorful tapestry of local legends would soon welcome one more captivating addition to its ever-growing repertoire: an extraordinary account of a visit from a mysterious flying craft of unknown origin. This enigmatic vessel would descend upon the tranquil waters of Shag Harbor, leaving a lasting impression and permanently stamping the village's name indelibly in the public eye, forever entwining its fate with the realm of the unexplained.
The earliest documented UFO report in the area on October 4 was made by the pilot of an Air Canada DC-9 aircraft. This pilot vividly described witnessing a large, rectangular object in the sky, followed by an intriguing string of bright lights. Shortly afterward, he also observed a flurry of explosions occurring above the southern regions of Quebec at precisely 7:20 PM. The event raised many questions and sparked curiosity among both aviation experts and UFO enthusiasts alike.
The first indication of this mysterious occurrence that would come from local residents who noticed strange orange lights in the sky came on the same night of the Air Canada sighting . Most witnesses agreed that there were four orange lights that evening. Five teenagers watched these lights flash in sequence, and then suddenly dive in a 45 degree angle toward the water's surface. The witnesses were surprised that the lights did not dive into the water, but seemed to float on the water, approximately one-half mile from the shore.
Witnesses at first thought they were witnessing what appeared to be a tragic airplane crash unfolding before their very eyes, and they quickly reported the alarming sighting as much to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which was conveniently located at Barrington Passage. Coincidentally, RCMP Constable Ron Pound had already witnessed the strange lights himself while driving down Highway 3 on his way to Shag Harbor. Pound felt that he was clearly seeing four distinct lights, all attached to one unusual flying craft. He estimated the overall length of the craft to be approximately 60 feet long, a size that further intrigued and concerned him.
Constable Pound made his way to the shoreline to get a closer look at the truly phenomenal sight unfolding before him. He was accompanied by Police Corporal Victor Werbieki, Constable Ron O'Brien, and several curious local residents who had gathered out of sheer intrigue. Pound clearly saw a bright yellow light slowly moving across the surface of the water, leaving behind a trail of yellowish foam that shimmered in the fading light. All eyes were fixated intently on the mysterious light, as it gradually either moved too far away to be seen or dipped beneath the icy waters, vanishing from sight.
Coast Guard Cutter #101, along with several other local boats, swiftly rushed to the designated spot of the bizarre sighting, but by the time they finally arrived on the scene, the mysterious light itself had completely vanished. However, the crewmen on board could still see the remnants of yellow foam lingering in the water, indicating that something had possibly submerged beneath the surface. Despite their efforts, nothing else could be found during the exhaustive search that night, and ultimately, the operation was called off at 3:00 AM, leaving many questions unanswered.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) conducted a thorough traffic check in conjunction with the Rescue Coordination Centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as utilizing NORAD radar situated at Baccaro, Nova Scotia. After their extensive inquiries, they were informed that, at that time, there were no missing aircraft reported for that evening, whether belonging to civilian operators or military forces.
The following day, the Canadian Rescue Coordination Center diligently filed a comprehensive report with the Canadian Forces Headquarters located in Ottawa. This detailed report stated clearly that something mysterious had struck the water in Shag Harbor, but notably, the object in question was of "unknown origin," leaving many questions unanswered and sparking curiosity among investigators and the public alike.
The HMCS Granby was ordered to the specified location, where a dedicated team of highly trained divers undertook extensive searches of the ocean's bottom for several continuous days. Despite their persistent efforts and skilled expertise, they unfortunately came up short without any positive results to report, leaving many questions unanswered and a sense of frustration lingering in the air.
Soon, the captivating story of the mysterious crash at Shag Harbor faded away as quickly as it had begun. That is, until the year 1993 rekindled interest in the incident. As the original story slowly faded from both newspapers and newscasts, several intriguing theories were put forward by enthusiasts and investigators alike.
One particularly popular explanation posited that a Russian spacecraft had gone down, which would neatly explain the reported presence of a Russian submarine in the vicinity at that time. Additionally, there was also the tantalizing rumor of possible American involvement in the follow-up investigation, although there was no official statement or confirmation issued by the United States government regarding the matter.
The Shag Harbor incident would have new life breathed into it through the efforts of MUFON investigator Chris Styles. The case intrigued him so much that he decided to search for more details. Styles found the names of many of the original witnesses through newspaper clippings, and was able to interview many of them.
Styles was assisted by the highly dedicated and meticulous MUFON investigator Doug Ledger. Together, these two men would embark on a journey that would lead them to uncover some extremely compelling and thought-provoking evidence through their thorough and detailed interviews. They discovered that when the divers of the Granby finally completed their initial work, the case was far from being over; in fact, it was just beginning to reveal a series of deeper and more intriguing mysteries that begged further exploration.
The divers, along with other witnesses, related these intriguing events: The object that dove swiftly into the expansive waters of the harbor had soon left the Shag area, traveling underwater for an impressive distance of about 25 miles to a location known as Government Point, which was situated in close proximity to a submarine detection base. The object was subsequently spotted on sonar there, prompting Naval vessels to be strategically positioned directly over it. After a couple of days of heightened observation, the military was planning a comprehensive salvage operation, when a second UFO unexpectedly joined the first. Common belief during that time was that the second craft had arrived with the intention of rendering aid and assistance to the first.
At this time, the Navy made the strategic decision to wait and watch closely. After approximately a week of steadily monitoring the two unidentified flying objects, some of the naval vessels were called away to investigate a Russian submarine that had suspiciously entered Canadian waters. It was at this pivotal moment that the two enigmatic underwater craft decided to make their move. They stealthily navigated their way to the Gulf of Maine, skillfully putting significant distance between themselves and the chasing Navy boats. In a sudden and surprising maneuver, they broke the surface of the water and shot away into the open skies, leaving behind an indelible mark of mystery.
These extraordinary and often puzzling events were corroborated by a multitude of witnesses, both civilian and military, lending significant weight and gravity to the overall credibility of the accounts provided. Unfortunately, the reports surrounding these perplexing incidents were given "off the record," which has left a persistent veil of uncertainty over the intricate details that many yearn to understand. Ex-military personnel, understandably concerned about the potential loss of their hard-earned pensions and the possibility of facing retaliation from those in power, opted to remain silent. In addition, the involvement of CFB Shelburne alongside a Russian submarine during the heightened tensions of the Cold War has further complicated matters, resulting in the absence of any official explanation. Civilian witnesses, perhaps very likely fearing public ridicule and the unwelcome invasion of their personal privacy, also chose to approach the subject with caution and discretion.
The unusual events that transpired at Shag Harbor undeniably command a significant and intriguing place in the vast study of UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena. There is little doubt among passionate researchers and devoted enthusiasts alike that something profoundly "unknown" crashed into the dark, mysterious waters of Shag Harbor on the fateful night of October 4, 1967, leaving behind an enduring legacy that raises more questions than it provides answers.
