Essex, MarylandAugust 1958

Unidentified

Summary

On August 17, 1958, near Essex, Maryland, a civilian witness reported observing a circular object with no sound or exhaust that was apparently powered. The object was self-illuminated and cast a reflection on the water. It hovered and then rose vertically out of view. The observation occurred at 4:00 a.m. local time. A second sighting by the same witness and others in the vicinity of the Martin Plant near the Middle River had also taken place. The object was circular in shape, emitted no noise or exhaust but was apparently powered, reported to be self-illuminated and casting a reflection in the water. When last sighted it apparently rose vertically out of view. The Air Force evaluation was listed as unidentified.

Reported location

Essex, Maryland

Date of incident

August 1958

State / country

MD / US

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unidentified

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 33

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE
17 August 1958
3. DATE-TIME GROUP
Local 0400
3. PHOTO
WITH/14007
X Yes
X No

2. LOCATION
Essex, Maryland
4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
X Ground-Visual
[ ] Air-Visual
[ ] Ground-Radar
[ ] Air-Intercept Radar

5. SOURCE
Civilian

7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION
Not given

8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
one

10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING
Circular obj, no sound or exhaust, but apparently powered. Obj self-illuminated & cast a reflection on the water. Obj hovered, then rose vertically out of view.

12. CONCLUSIONS
[ ] Was Balloon
[X] Possibly Balloon
[ ] Was Aircraft
[X] Possibly Aircraft
[ ] Was Astronomical
[X] Possibly Astronomical
[ ] Other
[X] Insufficient Data for Evaluation
[ ] Unidentified

9. COURSE
Rising

11. COMMENTS
Insufficient info. Additional data requested. Hovering & vertical rise indicates possible balloon sighting. Duration not rptd & wind info missing.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28979501