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[[Image:Bertriangle.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] image of the western Atlantic Ocean, showing the popular borders of the Bermuda Triangle.]]

[[Image:Bertriangle.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] image of the western Atlantic Ocean, showing the popular borders of the Bermuda Triangle.]]

The '''Bermuda Triangle''' is an area in the Atlantic Ocean which was made infamous during the last 60 years due to the number of people, aircraft, boats and ships said to have disappeared within its boundaries.  According to many of the stories related to them, these disappearances involve a level of mystery beyond human error or natural acts, such as alien abduction, the paranormal, or a suspension of the laws of physics.  An abundance of documentation for most of the incidents instead suggests that the Bermuda Triangle is a sailor’s legend, exaggerated over time and embellished by professional writers.

The '''Bermuda Triangle''' is an area in the Atlantic Ocean which was made infamous during the last 60 years due to the number of [[people]], [[aircraft]], boats and [[ships]] said to have disappeared within its boundaries.  According to many of the stories related to them, these disappearances involve a level of mystery beyond human error or natural acts, such as alien abduction, the [[paranormal]], or a suspension of the laws of [[physics]].  An abundance of documentation for most of the incidents instead suggests that the Bermuda Triangle is a sailor’s legend, exaggerated over time and embellished by professional writers.

== History of the Triangle story ==

== History of the Triangle story ==

Lawrence David Kusche, a research librarian from [[Arizona State University]] and author of ''The Bermuda Triangle Mystery: Solved'' (1975) has challenged this trend. Kusche's research revealed a number of inaccuracies and inconsistencies between Berlitz's accounts and statements from eyewitnesses, participants and others involved in the initial incidents. He noted cases where pertinent information went unreported, such as the disappearance of round-the-world yachtsman [[Donald Crowhurst]], which Berlitz had presented as a mystery, despite clear evidence to the contrary. Another example was the [[ore]]-carrier Berlitz recounted as lost without trace three days out of an ''Atlantic'' port when it had been lost three days out of a port with the same name in the ''Pacific'' Ocean. Kusche also argued that a large percentage of the incidents which have sparked the Triangle's mysterious influence actually occurred well outside it. Often his research was surprisingly simple: he would go over period newspapers and see items like weather reports that were never mentioned in the stories.

Lawrence David Kusche, a research librarian from [[Arizona State University]] and author of ''The Bermuda Triangle Mystery: Solved'' (1975) has challenged this trend. Kusche's research revealed a number of inaccuracies and inconsistencies between Berlitz's accounts and statements from eyewitnesses, participants and others involved in the initial incidents. He noted cases where pertinent information went unreported, such as the disappearance of round-the-world yachtsman [[Donald Crowhurst]], which Berlitz had presented as a mystery, despite clear evidence to the contrary. Another example was the [[ore]]-carrier Berlitz recounted as lost without trace three days out of an ''Atlantic'' port when it had been lost three days out of a port with the same name in the ''Pacific'' Ocean. Kusche also argued that a large percentage of the incidents which have sparked the Triangle's mysterious influence actually occurred well outside it. Often his research was surprisingly simple: he would go over period newspapers and see items like weather reports that were never mentioned in the stories.

[[Image:NYTraifukumaru.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Front page of the New York Times, April 23, 1925, detailing the sinking of S.S. ''[[Raifuku Maru]]'', an example of a Triangle story contradicted by a newspaper.  The photo at the top of the page was taken by a crewman onboard RMS ''Homeric'', showing the ''Raifuku Maru'' in the act of sinking.]]

[[Image:NYTraifu<!-- -->kumaru.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Front page of the New York Times, April 23, 1925, detailing the sinking of S.S. ''[[Raif<!-- -->uku Maru]]'', an example of a Triangle story contradicted by a newspaper.  The photo at the top of the page was taken by a crewman onboard RMS ''Homeric'', showing the ''Raif<!-- -->uku Maru'' in the act of sinking.]]

Kusche came to several conclusions:

Kusche came to several conclusions:

* The number of ships and aircraft reported missing in the area was not significantly greater, proportionally speaking, than in any other part of the ocean.

*The number of ships and aircraft reported missing in the area was not significantly greater, proportionally speaking, than in any other part of the ocean.

* In an area frequented by [[tropical storm]]s, the number of disappearances that did occur were, for the most part, neither disproportionate, unlikely, nor mysterious; furthermore, Berlitz and other writers would often fail to mention such storms.

*In an area frequented by [[tropical storm]]s, the number of disappearances that did occur were, for the most part, neither disproportionate, unlikely, nor mysterious; furthermore, Berlitz and other writers would often fail to mention such storms.

* The numbers themselves had been exaggerated by sloppy research. A boat listed as missing would be reported, but its eventual (if belated) return to port, may not be reported.

* The numbers themselves had been exaggerated by sloppy research. A boat listed as missing would be reported, but its eventual (if belated) return to port, may not be reported.

* Some disappearances had in fact, never happened. One plane crash was said to have taken place in 1937 off [[Daytona Beach, Florida]], in front of hundreds of witnesses; a check of the local papers revealed nothing.

*Some disappearances had in fact, never happened. One plane crash was said to have taken place in 1937 off [[Daytona Beach, Florida]], in front of hundreds of witnesses; a check of the local papers revealed nothing.

Kusche concluded that:

Kusche concluded that:

An explanation for some of the disappearances has focused on the presence of vast fields of [[methane]] hydrates on the [[continental shelves]]. A [[white paper]] was published in 1981 by the [[United States Geological Survey]] about the appearance of hydrates in the [[Blake Ridge]] area, off the southeastern [[United States]] coast. [http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/usgspubs.html]  Periodic methane eruptions may produce regions of gas-filled water that are no longer capable of providing adequate [[buoyancy]] for ships.  Laboratory experiments carried out in the Monash University in Australia have proven that bubbles can, indeed, sink a scale model ship by decreasing the density of the water [http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/monash-news/2003/bubble.html]; any wreckage consequently rising to the surface would be rapidly dispersed by the Gulf Stream.

An explanation for some of the disappearances has focused on the presence of vast fields of [[methane]] hydrates on the [[continental shelves]]. A [[white paper]] was published in 1981 by the [[United States Geological Survey]] about the appearance of hydrates in the [[Blake Ridge]] area, off the southeastern [[United States]] coast. [http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/hydrates/usgspubs.html]  Periodic methane eruptions may produce regions of gas-filled water that are no longer capable of providing adequate [[buoyancy]] for ships.  Laboratory experiments carried out in the Monash University in Australia have proven that bubbles can, indeed, sink a scale model ship by decreasing the density of the water [http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/monash-news/2003/bubble.html]; any wreckage consequently rising to the surface would be rapidly dispersed by the Gulf Stream.

Methane also has the ability to cause a piston engine to stall when released into the atmosphere even at an atmospheric concentration as low as 1%.

[[Methane]] also has the ability to cause a piston engine to stall when released into the atmosphere even at an atmospheric concentration as low as 1%.

===Compass variations===

===Compass variations===

Compass problems are one of the cited phrases in many Triangle incidents; it is possible that people operating boats and aircraft looked at a compass that they felt was not pointing north, veered course to adjust, and got lost quickly.  The [[North Magnetic Pole]] is not the [[North Pole]]; rather it is the north end of the earth's magnetic field, and as such it is the natural end where the needle of a compass points.  The North Magnetic Pole also wanders.  In 1996 a Canadian expedition certified its location by [[magnetometer]] and [[theodolite]] at 78°35.7′N 104°11.9′W; in 2005 its position was 82.7° N 114.4° W, to the west of [[Ellesmere Island]].

Compass problems are one of the cited phrases in many Triangle incidents; it is possible that people operating boats and aircraft looked at a compass that they felt was not pointing north, veered course to adjust, and got lost quickly.  The [[North Magnetic Pole]] is not the [[North Pole]]; rather it is the north end of the earth's magnetic field, and as such it is the natural end where the needle of a compass points.  The North Magnetic Pole also wanders.  In 1996 a Canadian expedition certified its location by [[magnetometer]] and [[theodolite]] at 78°35.7′N 104°11.9′W; in 2005 its position was 82.7° N 114.4° W, to the west of [[Ellesmere Island]].

The direction in which a compass needle points is known as magnetic north. In general, this is not exactly the direction of the North Magnetic Pole (or of any other consistent location). Instead, the compass aligns itself to the local geomagnetic field, which varies in a complex manner over the Earth's surface, as well as over time. The angular difference between magnetic north and true north (defined in reference to the Geographic North Pole), at any particular location on the Earth's surface, is called the [[magnetic declination]]. Most map coordinate systems are based on true north, and magnetic declination is often shown on map legends so that the direction of true north can be determined from north as indicated by a compass.

The direction in which a compass needle points is known as [[magnetic north]]. In general, this is not exactly the direction of the North Magnetic Pole (or of any other consistent location). Instead, the compass aligns itself to the local geomagnetic field, which varies in a complex manner over the Earth's surface, as well as over time. The angular difference between magnetic north and true north (defined in reference to the Geographic North Pole), at any particular location on the Earth's surface, is called the [[magnetic declination]]. Most map coordinate systems are based on true north, and magnetic declination is often shown on map legends so that the direction of true north can be determined from north as indicated by a compass.

Magnetic declination has been measured in many countries, including the U.S. The line of zero declination in the U.S. runs from the North Magnetic Pole through Lake Superior and across the western panhandle of Florida. Along this line, true north is the same as magnetic north. West of the line of zero declination, a compass will give a reading that is east of true north. Conversely, east of the line of zero declination the compass reading will be west of true north.  Since the North Magnetic Pole has been wandering toward the northwest, some twenty or more years ago the line of zero declination went through the Triangle, giving sailors and airmen a compass reading of true north instead of magnetic north.  A sailor not knowing the difference would sail off course without realizing it, ultimately resulting in a vanishing.

[[Magnetic]] declination has been measured in many countries, including the U.S. The line of zero declination in the U.S. runs from the North Magnetic Pole through Lake Superior and across the western panhandle of Florida. Along this line, true north is the same as magnetic north. West of the line of zero declination, a compass will give a reading that is east of true north. Conversely, east of the line of zero declination the compass reading will be west of true north.  Since the North Magnetic Pole has been wandering toward the northwest, some twenty or more years ago the line of zero declination went through the Triangle, giving sailors and airmen a compass reading of true north instead of magnetic north.  A sailor not knowing the difference would sail off course without realizing it, ultimately resulting in a vanishing.

=== Hurricanes ===

=== Hurricanes ===

=== Gulf Stream ===

=== Gulf Stream ===

The Gulf Stream is an ocean current which flows out of the Gulf of Mexico, then north through the Florida Straits on into the North Atlantic.  In essence, it is a river within an ocean, and like a river, it can and does carry floating objects with it.  A small plane making a water landing, or a boat having engine trouble will be carried away from its reported position by the current, as has happened to the cabin cruiser ''Witchcraft'' on December 22, 1967, when it reported engine trouble near the Miami buoy marker one mile from shore, but was not there when a Coast Guard cutter arrived.

The [[Gulf Stream]] is an ocean current which flows out of the Gulf of Mexico, then north through the Florida Straits on into the North Atlantic.  In essence, it is a river within an ocean, and like a river, it can and does carry floating objects with it.  A small plane making a water landing, or a boat having engine trouble will be carried away from its reported position by the current, as has happened to the cabin cruiser ''Witchcraft'' on December 22, 1967, when it reported engine trouble near the Miami buoy marker one mile from shore, but was not there when a Coast Guard cutter arrived.

==Acts of Man==

==Acts of Man==

===Human error===

===Human error===

One of the most cited explanations in official inquiries as to the loss of any aircraft or vessel is human error.  Whether deliberate or accidental, humans have been known to make mistakes resulting in catastrophe, and losses within the Bermuda Triangle are no exception. For example, the Coast Guard cited a lack of regular maintenance as a reason for the loss of the tanker ''[[Marine Sulphur Queen]]'' in 1963.  Simple human stubbornness may have caused businessman Harvey Conover to lose his sailing yacht, the ''Revonoc'', as he sailed into the teeth of a storm south of Florida on January 1, 1958.  It should be noted that many losses remain inconclusive due to the lack of wreckage which could be studied, a fact cited on many official reports.

One of the most cited explanations in official inquiries as to the loss of any aircraft or vessel is human error.  Whether deliberate or accidental, humans have been known to make mistakes resulting in catastrophe, and losses within the Bermuda Triangle are no exception. For example, the [[Coast Guard]] cited a lack of regular maintenance as a reason for the loss of the tanker ''[[Marine Sulphur Queen]]'' in 1963.  Simple human stubbornness may have caused businessman Harvey Conover to lose his sailing yacht, the ''Revonoc'', as he sailed into the teeth of a storm south of Florida on January 1, 1958.  It should be noted that many losses remain inconclusive due to the lack of wreckage which could be studied, a fact cited on many official reports.

===Deliberate acts of destruction===

===Deliberate acts of destruction===

This can fall into two categories: acts of war, and acts of piracy.  Records in enemy files have been checked for numerous losses; while many sinkings have been attributed to surface raiders or submarines during the [[World Wars]] and documented in the various command log books, many others which have been suspected as falling in that category have not been proven; it is suspected that the loss of USS ''Cyclops'' in 1918, as well as her sister ships ''Proteus'' and ''Nereus'' in [[World War II]], were attributed to submarines, but no such link has been found in the German records.

This can fall into two categories: acts of war, and acts of piracy.  Records in enemy files have been checked for numerous losses; while many sinkings have been attributed to surface raiders or submarines during the [[World Wars]] and documented in the various command log books, many others which have been suspected as falling in that category have not been proven; it is suspected that the loss of USS ''Cyclops'' in 1918, as well as her sister ships ''Proteus'' and ''Nereus'' in [[World War II]], were attributed to submarines, but no such link has been found in the German records.

[[Piracy]], as defined by the taking of a ship or small boat on the high seas, is an act which continues to this day.  Rum-runners in the [[Prohibition]] Era and drug runners today have taken small ships and pleasure boats, often killing the crew, before loading their illicit cargoes and making a run for the United States, where they would unload the cargo and, more often than not, simply dispose of the vessel by sinking.

[[Piracy]], as defined by the taking of a ship or small boat on the high seas, is an act which continues to this day.  Rum-runners in the [[Prohibition]] Era and drug runners today have taken small ships and pleasure boats, often killing the crew, before loading their illicit cargoes and making a run for the [[United States]], where they would unload the cargo and, more often than not, simply dispose of the vessel by sinking.

Another form of piracy operated on dry land. ''Bankers'' or ''wreckers'' as they were called, would shine a light on shore to misdirect ships closer to the shore, getting many to run hard aground; the wreckers would then claim salvage and help themselves to the cargo, and sometimes killing any crew who protested. [[Nag's Head]], [[North Carolina]], was named for the wreckers' practice of hanging a lantern on the head of a hobbled horse as it walked along the beach.

Another form of piracy operated on dry land. ''Bankers'' or ''wreckers'' as they were called, would shine a light on shore to misdirect ships closer to the shore, getting many to run hard aground; the wreckers would then claim salvage and help themselves to the cargo, and sometimes killing any crew who protested. [[Nag's Head]], [[North Carolina]], was named for the wreckers' practice of hanging a lantern on the head of a hobbled horse as it walked along the beach.

An explanation for some of the disappearances pinned the blame on left-over technology from [[Atlantis]], for example, the activation of a still-operable “death ray”.  Reputed psychic [[Edgar Cayce]] claimed that evidence for Atlantis would be discovered just off [[Bimini]] in 1968.  [[New Age]] proponents view the [[Bimini Road]] as either a road, wall, or pier meant to service ships bound for Atlantis from Central and South America, or a breakwater built to protect fishing boats, despite the fact that the wall has a natural origin; a similar, easily-observable formation lies on the shore on the north end of Bimini.

An explanation for some of the disappearances pinned the blame on left-over technology from [[Atlantis]], for example, the activation of a still-operable “death ray”.  Reputed psychic [[Edgar Cayce]] claimed that evidence for Atlantis would be discovered just off [[Bimini]] in 1968.  [[New Age]] proponents view the [[Bimini Road]] as either a road, wall, or pier meant to service ships bound for Atlantis from Central and South America, or a breakwater built to protect fishing boats, despite the fact that the wall has a natural origin; a similar, easily-observable formation lies on the shore on the north end of Bimini.

=== UFOs ===

=== [[UFO]]s ===

Theorists claim [[extraterrestrial]]s captured ships and planes, taking them beyond our solar system.  This was given a boost when topics like [[ESP]], [[telekinesis]], [[clairvoyance]], and the like flowered in the middle-to-late 1960s, and was used as storylines for popular films like ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'' and ''[[The UFO Incident]]''.[[Image:memphis1916.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|USS ''Memphis'' (CA-10) in 1916, hard aground in the Dominican Republic after an encounter with a freak wave. (U.S. Navy)]]

Theorists claim [[extraterrestrial]]s captured ships and planes, taking them beyond our solar system.  This was given a boost when topics like [[ESP]], [[telekinesis]], [[clairvoyance]], and the like flowered in the middle-to-late 1960s, and was used as storylines for popular films like ''[[Close Encounters of the Third Kind]]'' and ''[[The UFO Incident]]''.[[Image:memphis1916.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|USS ''Memphis'' (CA-10) in 1916, hard aground in the Dominican Republic after an encounter with a freak wave. (U.S. Navy)]]

==Famous incidents==

==Famous incidents==

===Theodosia Burr Alston===

==='''Theodosia Burr Alston'''===

[[Image:theodosiaburr.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Theodosia Burr Alston'', by John Vanderlyn (1802)]]

[[Image:theodosiaburr.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Theodosia Burr Alston'', by John Vanderlyn (1802)]]

[[Theodosia Burr Alston]] was the daughter of former [[United States]] [[Vice-President]] [[Aaron Burr]]. Her disappearance has been cited at least once in relation to the Triangle, in ''The Bermuda Triangle'' by Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey (1975).  She was a passenger on board the ''Patriot'', which sailed from [[Charleston, South Carolina]] to [[New York City]] on December 30, 1812, and was never heard from again. Both piracy and the [[War of 1812]] have been posited as explanations. Other theories have been presented, including one placing her in Texas, well outside the Triangle.

[[Theodosia Burr Alston]] was the daughter of former [[United States]] [[Vice-President]] [[Aaron Burr]]. Her disappearance has been cited at least once in relation to the Triangle, in ''The Bermuda Triangle'' by Adi-Kent Thomas Jeffrey (1975).  She was a passenger on board the ''Patriot'', which sailed from [[Charleston, South Carolina]] to [[New York City]] on December 30, 1812, and was never heard from again. Both piracy and the [[War of 1812]] have been posited as explanations. Other theories have been presented, including one placing her in Texas, well outside the Triangle.

=== USS ''Cyclops'' ===

=== USS ''Cyclops'' ===

[[Image:Cyclops2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|USS ''Cyclops'']]

[[Image:Cyclops2.jpg|thumb|right|200px|USS ''Cyclops'']]

The incident resulting in the single largest loss of life in the history of the U.S. Navy not related to combat occurred when [[USS Cyclops]] under the command of [[Lieutenant Commander]] George. W. Worley went missing without a trace with a crew of 306 sometime after March 4, 1918, after departing the island of [[Barbados]]. Although there is no strong evidence for any theory, storms, capsizing and submarine activity during [[World War I]] have all been suggested as explanations. [http://website.lineone.net/~dmerrill/html/bermuda_triangle.html][http://www.bermudacruises.net/bermuda-information/myths_folklore.htm]

The incident resulting in the single largest loss of life in the history of the U.S. Navy not related to combat occurred when [[USS Cyclops]] under the command of [[Lieutenant Commander]] George. W. Worley went missing without a trace with a crew of 306 sometime after March 4, 1918, after departing the island of [[Barbados]]. Although there is no strong evidence for any theory, storms, capsizing and submarine activity during [[World War I]] have all been suggested as explanations. [http://website.lineone.net/~dmerrill/html/bermuda_triangle.html]{{user:Phillll}}[http://www.bermudacruises.net/bermuda-information/myths_folklore.htm]

===''Carroll A. Deering''===

===''Carroll A. Deering''===

A five-masted schooner built in 1919, the ''Carroll A. Deering'' was found hard aground and abandoned at Diamond Shoals, near [[Cape Hatteras]], [[North Carolina]] on January 31, 1921.  Rumors and more at the time indicated the ''Deering'' was a victim of piracy, possibly connected with the illegal rum-running trade during [[Prohibition]]. Just hours after she passed by the Cape Lookout lightship on January 29, an unknown steamer sailed nearby along the track of the ''Deering'' and ignored all signals from the lightship. It is speculated that the mystery ship was S.S. ''Hewitt'' which disappeared at roughly the same time, and was possibly involved in the removal of the ''Deering'' crew. [http://www.graveyardoftheatlantic.com/Deering/CADeeringHome.html]

A five-masted schooner built in 1919, the ''Carroll A. Deering'' was found hard aground and abandoned at Diamond Shoals, near [[Cape Hatteras]], [[North Carolina]] on January 31, 1921.  Rumors and more at the time indicated the ''Deering'' was a victim of piracy, possibly connected with the illegal rum-running trade during [[Prohibition]]. Just hours after she passed by the Cape Lookout lightship on January 29, an unknown steamer sailed nearby along the track of the ''Deering'' and ignored all signals from the lightship. It is speculated that the mystery ship was S.S. ''Hewitt'' which disappeared at roughly the same time, and was possibly involved in the removal of the ''Deering'' crew. [http://www.graveyardoftheatlantic.com/Deering/CADeeringHome.html]

=== ''Raifuku Maru'' ===

=== ''Raif<!-- -->uku Maru'' ===

One of the more famous incidents in the Triangle took place in 1921 (some say a few years later), when the Japanese vessel ''Raifuku Maru'' went down with all hands after sending a distress signal which allegedly said "Danger like dagger now.  Come quick!"  This has led writers to speculate on what the "dagger" was, with a [[waterspout]] being the likely candidate (Winer).  In reality the ship was nowhere near the Triangle, nor was the word "dagger" a part of the ship's distress call; having left Boston for Hamburg, Germany, on April 21, 1925, she got caught in a severe storm and sank in the North Atlantic with all hands while another ship, RMS ''Homeric'', attempted an unsuccessful rescue.

One of the more famous incidents in the Triangle took place in 1921 (some say a few years later), when the Japanese vessel ''Raifu<!-- -->ku Maru'' went down with all hands after sending a distress signal which allegedly said "Danger like dagger now.  Come quick!"  This has led writers to speculate on what the "dagger" was, with a [[waterspout]] being the likely candidate (Winer).  In reality the ship was nowhere near the Triangle, nor was the word "dagger" a part of the ship's distress call; having left Boston for Hamburg, Germany, on April 21, 1925, she got caught in a severe storm and sank in the North Atlantic with all hands while another ship, RMS ''Homeric'', attempted an unsuccessful rescue.

===Flight 19===

===Flight 19===

*"Fire Signals Seen In Area Of Lost Men," Washington Post, December 9, 1945.

*"Fire Signals Seen In Area Of Lost Men," Washington Post, December 9, 1945.

'''''Raifuku Maru'''''

'''''Raif<!-- -->uku Maru'''''

*"Japanese Ships Sinks With A Crew Of 38; Liners Unable To Aid," New York Times, April 22, 1925.

*"Japanese Ships Sinks With A Crew Of 38; Liners Unable To Aid," New York Times, April 22, 1925.

*"Passengers Differ On Homeric Effort To Save Sinking Ship," New York Times, April 23, 1925.

*"Passengers Differ On Homeric Effort To Save Sinking Ship," New York Times, April 23, 1925.