Sauvies Island, OregonJanuary 1956

Insufficient Data

Summary

On January 9, 1956, a civilian observer on Sauvies Island, Oregon reported seeing a very large object reflected on the Columbia River around 10:06 a.m. The object was described as being the size of a city block, with lights on its side. It resembled a hotel when the lights went on. The object hovered and pulsated, then faded into the west. The observation lasted one hour. The Air Force noted the sky was completely overcast at 1500 feet. Form ATIC 164 was sent to observers on January 12, 1956. In preliminary findings, the Air Force suggested the sighting may have been generated by river traffic, such as a boat on the Columbia River.

Reported location

Sauvies Island, Oregon

Date of incident

January 1956

State / country

OR / US

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 24

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

1. DATE 2. LOCATION 12. CONCLUSIONS
9 January 1956 Sauvies Island, Oregon (NW OF PORTLAND)
□ Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION □ Possibly Balloon
Local □ Ground-Visual □ Ground-Radar □ Was Aircraft
GMT: 1006IIZ □ Air-Visual □ Air-Intercept Radar □ Probably Aircraft
□ Possibly Aircraft
5. PHOTOS 6. SOURCE
□ Yes □ Was Astronomical
□ No Civilian □ Probably Astronomical
□ Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 9. COURSE □X Other-Reflection
one (1) hour one relatively □ Insufficient Data for Evaluation
stationary □ Unknown
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
One very large object observed as a WX completely overcast at
reflection on Columbia River described 1500'. Atic forms 164 were sent
as being the size of a city block, to the observers on 12 Jan 56.
domed and circular, with lights From the data contained in the
on side. The object was big enough preliminary report it appears
to look like a hotel when lights went that this sighting was possibly
on. The object was hovering and generated by river traffic
pulsating. Faded into the West. (boat or boats) on the Columbia
River.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28964559