Welsh UFO sightings from 1927. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
17:05, October 11th
Snowdon

Meteorological Magazine (63:15, 1928) via William Corliss' 1986 Handbook of Unusual Natural Phenomena:

[Lateral or Sideways Mirages] "At 17h 5m. G.M.T. on October 11th [1927], the sun had fallen behind the Snowdon range, and the range was backed by a large golden fleecy cloud, on which was outlined a dark, well-defined shadow of Snowdon, persisting for some five or ten minutes. I find it difficult to understand how the shadow was cast in the direction of the sun, as the cloud was manifestly on the far side of the hills, the atmosphere was clear, and the eastern sky was almost cloudless. At 17h. 20m. the cloud had disappeared, and the western horizon was clear except for some distant striations, when suddenly there appeared over Crib Goch a streaky golden outline of its summit, which faded out after perhaps 15 seconds or half a minute."

Welsh UFO sightings from 1926. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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Welsh UFO sightings from 1925. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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Welsh UFO sightings from 1924. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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Welsh UFO sightings from 1923. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1922. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
7th March
Llangollen

Flying Officer Brian Holding set out in an Avro 504k from an aerodrome near Chester at 10:30 for a short flight. About 11:00 he was seen near Llangollen, heading back towards Chester - but he never arrived. Although a search for signs of Holding and / or his plane continued for weeks, under the assumption he had gone down over a populated area, no trace was ever found. (Official RAF records are much less mysterious; Holding set off from RAF Shotwick in Flintshire and was presumed to have crashed into the Irish Sea off the coast of Barmouth.)

Charles Fort quoted the Daily Chronicle of 30/03/1922 as stating, "It is incredible, but nothing has been heard of Holding."

The papers carried a little bit of background on Holding. The Banbury Guardian (23/03/1922) reported that he had left Mill Hill School at 15 to train as an officer in the Flying Corps. Since WWI he had been working as an instructor at Chester. Not sure if he was the same Brian Holding of the Officers' Mess, Uxbridge RAF Depot, who was fined £2 for getting a driver to break the speed limit for him to catch a train to Dover in 1920. (Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette, 05/03/1920) Presumption of his death was reported in August 1922 - Liverpool Echo, 03/08/1922.

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Saturday 9th September
Barmouth

John Morris, steersman of the local lifeboat and William James saw an object fall into the sea "with extraordinary slowness", so slowly that it was thought to be a plane. A boat was sent out but nothing was found. No aircraft was reported missing.

Source: www.nicap.org/magonia.htm citing Charles Fort.

I looked up the original news reports which were a little less mysterious. The Dundee Evening Telegraph (11/09/1922) reported that "Mr William Jones was on the coast at Barmouth when he observed that an aeroplane over the sea was in difficulties. He called the attention of Mr John Morris, coxswain of the Barmouth lifeboat, to the predicament of the machine, and Mr Morris, by means of his binoculars, saw the aeroplane nose-dive and disappear into the sea with the engine in motion. The incident happened about seven miles away, and in a northerly direction. The coxswain and others jumped into a motor boat immediately and raced to the spot. They cruised over the place for several hours, but could find no trace of the aeroplane or its occupants. It is feared that there has been loss of life."

The Westminster Gazette (11/09/1922) said their correspondent had interviewed John Morris who 'was positive of what he had seen'. In October the newspapers, eg. Westminster Gazette 10/10/1922, noted that Morris had just completed 50 years service with the Barmouth lifeboat. The Shields Daily News (11/09/1922) also reported on it:


MYSTERY OF AN AEROPLANE. SEEN TO NOSE-DIVE INTO THE SEA. VAIN SEARCH. MACHINE COMPLETELY DISAPPEARS.

A mysterious aeroplane disaster is reported from Barmouth. Shortly after noon on Saturday, William Jones, a coast watcher, observed an aeroplane, which appeared to be in difficulties, out at sea. He called the attention of Captain John Morris, coxswain of the Barmouth lifeboat, who sighted the aeroplane with his binoculars. As Captain Morris was watching its flight, the machine began to nose-dive and disappeared into the sea.

LIFEBOAT PUTS OUT.

The spot at which it fell is about seven miles in a northerly direction from Barmouth, off the shore of Cardigan Bay, and in the vicinity of St. Patrick's Causeway, the scene, in foggy weather, of many shipwrecks. Without losing a moment, Captain Morris entered his motor-boat, and, with a scratch crew, raced to the scene of the accident. After cruising for some hours, and searching up to within a couple of miles of the Carnarvonshire coast, he returned to Barmouth, reporting that no trace could be found, either of the machine or his occupants.

Upon inquiry yesterday at the Air Ministry, a reporter was informed that no light could be thrown upon the supposed disaster. "We know of no machine which is likely to have been in the vicinity of Barmouth at noon on Saturday," said an official, "neither is any British aeroplane missing to our knowledge."
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Welsh UFO sightings from 1921. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1920. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
1920
Graig

Various newspapers picked up a story from Pontypridd magistrates court, about a workhouse inmate who was said to have frightened people by pretending to be a ghost. The Portsmouth Evening News of August 31st 1920 reported:

"GHOST" OF THE MOUNTAINS. TROUBLE IN WELSH WORKHOUSE.

Two women inmates of the Central Homes which the Pontypridd Guardians maintain at Graig, appeared before the local magistrates yesterday on charges of assaulting nurses, and with being refractory paupers. It was said of one, Abigail Booth, that she had been in and out of the homes since 1911, and was a constant source of trouble. For some time she lived in a crevice on the Penrhyn Mountain, and frightened many people by pretending to be a ghost.

During the disturbances which these women provoked on Sunday, one nurse was bitten in the arm and another was severely mauled, being pulled to the floor by her hair. Plates were also thrown about, and the master declared that for a time pandemonium prevailed.

One woman was cautioned and sent back to the homes, but Abigail was fined £1.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1919. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1918. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
March 1918
Neath

Identified Flying Object: Llais Llafur of March 16th 1918 reported that a new airship, the C3, "flew over the town for a considerable time on Wednesday afternoon."

Welsh UFO sightings from 1917. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
1917
Kidwelly

Strange knocks were first heard at the beginning of January 1917, in a new build house at the Kidwelly Gasworks. Living at the house was the manager, Mr. Charles Touking Rippin, his wife (Elizabeth Hannah) and their four children: Flora May (b. 1904), Edgar Charles (b. 1905), Arthur Henry (b. 1907).

The knocks became more and more insistent until Mr. Rippin began replying with knocks of his own. By the end of the month 'conversations' via knocking were being held, with the knocks beginning around 20:30 and continuing until 23:30 each evening. The phenomena attracted lots of interest from the public and psychic researchers alike, with people generally believing it to be the ghost of Abel J. Williams, a young shunter who was killed by the Fishguard Express in December 1916.

The ghost had heavy press coverage during February 1917, but it trailed off in March with no obvious cause being discovered. I've transcribed all the press reports I could find here.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1916. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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Reports of a ghost in Swansea were quickly debunked, but the response is amusing enough to bear recording (Cambria Daily Leader, Sep 21st 1916):

"A rumour circulated amongst the youngsters of Brynmill that a ghost was making periodical appearances in a certain street at nightfall has created considerable commotion in that particular thoroughfare. Each night at dusk crowds of children have congregated, with the result that an erstwhile peaceful corner of the district has been converted into a positive pandemonium. So exasperated have the residents become that on Tuesday evening one of them took to throwing buckets of water among the rowdy crowd. Where are the police? The origin of the rumour was the result of a stupid prank by two boys several nights ago."

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PRESS
26th September
Cardiff

A 'thunderstone' fell following a flash of lightning. I found this via Fort's ook of the Damned, via Nature 95/98:

According to the Times a "meteorite (commonly known as a 'thunderbolt ')" fell at Dinas Powis, near Cardiff, on the night of September 26-27, and did some damage. The cause of the damage was, however, not a meteorite, but a lightning-flash. There had been thunderstorms on or about the same day of the month in the previous May, June, and July, whilst it was on March 27 that the famous storm occurred.

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PRESS
Monday 16th October, 19:00 - 20:00
South east Wales

South-East Wales was on tip-toe on Monday evening between 7 and 8 o'clock gazing excitedly at a luminous shape in the sky, away towards the south-east.

Locally, in common with other districts opinion was divided as to the nature of the apparition, some inclining to the belief that it was the northern lights, others that it was a peculiar light from Dowlais or other works. Very few believed that the mysterious light was an airship.

Major Baird, M.P., of the Air Board, in reply to an enquiry from Mr. C. B. Stanton, M.P., who watched the "light" in his own constituency has informed that gentleman that "There is no doubt that the airship seen over Aberdare and Merthyr was one of ours. You will not ask me where it lives. The main thing is that it is ours."

Mr. Stanton was given authority to make the fact known.

Source: Labour Voice (Llais Llafur) 21 October 1916.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday Mr. J. H. Cory (U., Cardiff), asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he was aware that a British airship's sudden appearance over parts of South Wales on Monday night week, created a good deal of excitement that would have been avoided had any warning been the practice in London; and whether he directed the officials responsible for these flights by British airships to give warning whenever possible of such proposed visits?

Dr. Macnamara: Airships were over South Wales, during Monday, the 16th October but returned to their base in day light. No reports have been received indicating that any alarm was caused.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1915. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
January 1915
Soar, Anglesey

A strange voice was heard at Bryncoch House near Soar on Anglesey, home to Elizabeth Jones, her adult son and daughter, and grand-daughter Annie, who it singled out particularly.

The North Wales Chronicle of January 15th 1915 reported:

AN ANGLESEY GHOST STORY, A "STRANGE" VOICE HEARD AT A LONELY HOUSE.

The inhabitants of the district between Bodorgan and Gwalchmai have passed through a nerve-trying experience; indeed, it may be said that the best part of Anglesey is more or less excited over a "ghost story" which is being told with unlimited variations. The "visited" house lies in a lonely spot, about a mile to the north of Soar village, and is inhabited by a widow named Elizabeth Jones, with an adult son and daughter, together with a girl thirteen years of age, who is Mrs Jones' grand-daughter. With the view of gaining first-hand knowledge of the place and of listening to evidence on tho spot, our correspondent proceeded there this week, a task that should never have been attempted minus a pair of sea-boots, as the road leading thereto was well-nigh impassable owing to the recent heavy rains. It may be stated that the opening chapters of the story as told in the district synchronise with the return home on leave of a soldier who is undergoing training with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

He was on his way home along a lonely road when he was startled at hearing a voice calling out to him, but apparently there was no one on the road except himself. He proceeded on his way, but had not gone far when he was brought sharply to the "attention" by hearing the voice again calling out to him. This time he received an invitation to go to Bryncoch, the house referred to on the following night, taking his wife with him. Startled beyond measure and fully believing that there was a "ghost" in the neighbourhood, he hurried to Bryncoch and there related what had occurred. A short time later he left and proceeded to his own house.

Having been invited to the house by Mrs Jones, our correspondent was told that this was only one instance of many similar cases in which "something" had troubled them during the first week of the year. Startled one night by hearing continuous rapping, the son got up but was unable to ascertain the cause. This was on a Sunday night; the two following nights the same sharp rapping Was heard at short intervals, and on Wednesday evening some neighbours who were in the house heard a faint voice.

A MYSTERIOUS VOICE.

Silence reigned supreme for some minutes when suddenly the "spirit" began to "speak." At first it seemed as though the voice came from an empty cupboard close to the fireplace, and after several persons had refused to open it one of the company did so, but the cupboard was bare. Those present were terrified to hear the "voice" revealing to them "secrets" which each individual had fondly hoped was locked in his and her own breast. The little girl did not seem to take things too seriously and her grandmother rebuked her for laughing. Thereupon the "spirit" in turn rebuked the lady of the house, "because," as he remarked, "it is with Annie that I want to speak."

So awed were the company that they spent a considerable time in meditation. The party broke up at a late hour, wondering greatly, and amazed at the things which they had heard, but marvelling still more at the fact that the "spirit" had not deigned to appear. On the following night a large company sat together at Bryncoch, and on this occasion similar scenes were witnessed. Among those present was a gipsy whose curiosity had impelled him thither. He claimed to have solved the mystery by discovering that the girl was gifted with ventriloquial powers, but the girl (who was at school) is not aware herself that she possesses any such powers, and denies that she hoaxed the company present at the house.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1914. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
February 1914
Abergwessin

In the local news column for Abergwessin, the Brecon County Times of February 5th 1914 reported:

"CORPSE CANDLE." A Wil' o' the Wisp," locally known as "Corpse Candle," was seen in the district a few days ago, and, though not unusual in the neighbourhood, the occurrence caused an observer, who lives some miles away, much fear and anxiety."

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PRESS
Wednesday 25th March 1914
Cardiff

The Western Mail of March 26th 1914 reported on an exhibition flight by Gustav Hamel:

LOOPING THE LOOP. MR. HAMEL'S LOW FLYING AT CARDIFF.

Mr. Gustav Hamel successfully looped the loop in the air several times at Ely Race course on Wednesday afternoon. The monoplane reached an altitude of about 1,000ft., and the airman first performed a couple of single loops. Then came another circle, followed by a couple of double loops.

Immediately afterwards Mr. Hamel set off for a flight over Cardiff. On returning he performed another loop, and then entertained the spectators to some thrilling low flying. He swooped down until he was within a foot or two of the ground, and then soared aloft again, swept round the course, and repeated the manœuvre.

This time he altered his course somewhat, and a crowd of spectators who were in the direct line of flight scattered in all directions. One of the spectators, instead of running, bent down, the machine just clearing him.

FIRST FLIGHT SENSATIONS.

Mr. Hamel afterwards went up with a passenger, Mr. A. Pritchard, manager of the Great Western Hotel, whose first flight it was. Mr. Pritchard described the experience as most enjoyable, and like sitting in an easy chair.

In another section of the same issue, the Western Mail reported:

When Mr. Gustav Hamel was seen in his aeroplane coming in the direction of Ninian Park yesterday spectators forgot the game, and when the aviator started looping the loop even the players and the referee lost interest, and play suddenly ceased while everyone gazed skywards for about five minutes. It was a distinct breach of the rigid laws of the Football Association, and Mr. Hamel, no doubt, recognised this fact for he flew over the park twice and treated the lawbreakers to a couple of magnificent loops.

Over the next few days Hamel flew from Newport to Cardiff with Baron Gunsberg in torrential rain, in addition to more exhibition flights in Cardiff. He also met with Charles Horace Watkins, to see the latter's home built 'Robin Goch' aeroplane.

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PRESS
July 20th 1914
Rhyl

IFO: A French balloon race ended in a crash at Rhyl for one of the competitors. The Nottingham Journal of July 21st reported:

The balloon Belgica, which took part in the 10th annual contest of the Aero Club de France on Sunday, dropped at Foryd Station, near Rhyl, North Wales, yesterday morning. The two occupants - Ernest Demnyter, of Brussels, and Albert Vleninex - stated that they crossed the Channel in 135 minutes, whilst the full flight from Paris to Rhyl occupied 15 hours.

M. Spire, another competitor, was yesterday morning admitted to the Aberystwyth infirmary with a fractured leg and other injuries, his balloon having met with a mishap in landing.

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PRESS
August
Bridgend

Identified Flying Object: I'm always on the lookout for reports of things which could be mistaken for UFOs in the early years, so found this article from the Glamorgan Gazette of August 7th 1914 kind of intriguing.

"LOCAL AMUSEMENTS. THE CINEMA, BRIDGEND. Next week there will be an enormously successful programme at the Cinema. At the top of the bill an original turn entitled. "The Wireless Airship," is an exciting novelty which should appeal to everyone at this time. It is a small dirigible 18 feet long, which sails round the audience without any control except electricity and without any attachments whatsoever. It is a marvellous invention."

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September, afternoon
Caerphilly

Two boys named Uden and Hopkins, recall they were wandering on a mountainside after school on their way home, when they suddenly encountered a widespread mist at the edge of which were two small humanoid figures totally white all over. They advanced towards the children who became frightened and fled. Both beings wore abnormally tall hats, rather like those worn by chefs, and had piercing eyes.

Source: 'Humanoid Encounters 1900-1929' Albert S. Rosales 2016 page 139 citing Rupert Drew.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1913. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

In the early part of the year there were numerous sightings across England and Wales of a mystery airship... The Cambria Daily Leader (06/02/1913) took it every bit as seriously as you might expect:

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PRESS
Friday 17th January, late afternoon / early evening
South Wales

16:45 - Captain Lionel Lindsay, Chief Constable of Glamorgan, saw a large airship trailing dense smoke passing in a westerly direction. He was reported in the Cambria Daily Leader (21/01/1913) as saying: "At a quarter to five on Friday evening last I noted the object in the air. It was then dusk and rather foggy, so that one could not define it. It was much bigger and moved faster than the Willows airship, and it left in its trail a dense volume of smoke. I called the attention of a bystander to the object, and he agreed with me that it was some large air-craft. It disappeared quickly, thus giving us evidence of speedy movement, and it was taking a direction as if making for Swansea. I have failed to meet with someone else who saw it, and am anxious to solve what appears to me something like a mystery."

17:15 - Mr Steven Morgan of Merthyr believed he saw the same object as Capt. Lindsay from his bedroom window. It was flying from Merthyr over a mountain summit into the Aberdare valley. (Cambria Daily Leader, 22/01/1913)

c. 18:00 - Sara E. Hanmer of Bettisfield, Rogerstone, saw a low flying airship with a searchlight. She wrote (23/01/1913) a letter to the Western Mail which was printed in the 25th January edition: "Sir, - My sister and I also observed the mysterious airship on Friday evening last, at about six o'clock. It was wobbling considerably over Fox Wood. It seemed to carry a searchlight, which flashed brilliantly at times, and at others was quite obscured it seemed to us. From this we concluded the occupants were in difficulties. It was so close to earth that we could distinctly hear the whirr of the machinery. Eventually it only appeared to be a darker object travelling in a westerly direction. This is the third time we have seen a similar object in the last four or five weeks, but this one was much nearer, and looked an immense object travelling very swiftly."

The Western Mail of Monday 27 January 1913 printed a map showing the probable route that the 'airship' took. This started at Barry. The object was seen above Barry by an observer in Bonvilston, some miles inland. It was next seen above Cardiff by a witness in Roath Park. At about 6 pm it was seen above Newport. Merthyr Tydfil was next, also reportedly seen at about 6 pm. It was seen over Glanamman between 6.30 and 6.45 pm, finally seen by an observer in Sketty, Swansea.

The newspaper said: "....probable route of the mysterious airship which hovered over South Wales on Friday, January 17, according to the times and places of correspondents who wrote to say they had seen it. The following night an airship was also stated to have been seen over Essex and Surrey."

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PRESS
Saturday 18th January, 20:00
Swansea

Mr. Marshall, a ship-broker residing in the Uplands, informed a "Leader" representative that he could not say with certainty whether the object which he saw at eight o'clock on Saturday evening was an airship or anything else. He observed what he at first took to be a star. The light, however was diffused, and he watched it for some time, observing that it appeared to be moving at a fairly good speed. He went into the house to call the members of the family to see it, and when they came out it had disappeared.

Source: 'Cambria Daily Leader', Wednesday 22nd January 1913.

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PRESS
Saturday 18th January, between 20:30 and 21:00
Swansea

SWANSEA BOY AND A WHIZZING NOISE

Master Harold Gibbs, son of a superintendent of the estate department under Swansea Corporation, claims to have heard the aeroplane between half-past eight and nine on Saturday evening on the Parade Mayal of the Town Hall Garden City, Swansea. 

Welsh UFO sightings from 1912. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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Welsh UFO sightings from 1911. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
August 1911
Aberdare

The Aberdare Leader of August 5th 1911 reported on a ghost sighting:

A Ghost at Aberdare. A few nights ago from the back window of a house adjoining St. Elvan's Churchyard, the inmate was astonished by an extraordinary appearance - a figure in white. Slowly the appearance moved towards the church, and assumed a sitting posture. With extraordinary courage the person witnessing the phenomenon descended to the churchyard, and the object on a nearer inspection assumed a form strongly reminding him of a woman in white. Gradually she glided into the street and vanished from his gaze at the door of a respectable tradesman's house.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1910. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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PRESS
May / June 1910
Llancath Pitch, Trefeinon

The Brecon County Times of June 10th 1910 reported on the debunking of local ghost sightings:

GREAT MYSTERY SOLVED.— It appears, from startling information received, that the Llancath pitch, near Trefeinon station, has been haunted recently by some mysterious figure draped in white robes. Several people, it is stated, bave been shocked by some flitting figures in white. One evening last week a student decided to solve the mystery. Of course he waited for a time and eventually the "ghost" appeared. He was immediately "apprehended" by his brother student and, naturally, later "the laugh went round."

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PRESS
Saturday June
Cardiff

IFO - the small Willows airship was taken on various test flights over the city. Flight #24 (11/06/1910) reported:

THE WILLOWS DIRIGIBLE AT CARDIFF

LONDON was not the only British city which was traversed by airship on Saturday morning, as Cardiff was honoured in a similar way, although in the latter case the trip was quite a short one compared to that of the military airship "Beta." Starting from the East Moors at ten minutes to seven, Mr. Willows headed his miniature airship for the City Hall, which was reached in seven minutes.

The Clock Tower was encircled once, and then the vessel was brought to land in the open space just by the Tredegar Statue. After a stay of about half an hour in the Cathays Park, a restart was made for home, and within an hour from the time of starting the airship was safely docked again.

This airship is quite a small one, the gasbag being only 82 feet in length, while its greatest diameter is 22 feet. A feature of the mechanism is the arrangement by which the two propellers can be so adjusted that their force is utilised in raising or lowering the dirigible. These propellers are made of wood, are 6 ft. in diameter, and are driven by a 30-h.p. J.A.P. motor. Issue #26 (25/06/1910) updated readers on the airship's progress, and issue #27 (02/07/1910) published a couple of photographs: Trials with the Willows Airship

Two trips were undertaken by Mr. E. T. Willows in his airship during last weekend. Accompanied by his cousin, Mr. Frank Garrett, Mr. Willows left his shed on the East Moors, Cardiff, at half-past four on Saturday afternoon, and flew round the Roath section of the city.

As he encountered a rather strong head wind, Mr. Willows decided to come down, and with the assistance of some men of the Welsh Regiment the airship was anchored in the barrack square after a trip of 40 mins. duration. A fresh supply of hydrogen was sent for, but as this was late in arriving it was decided to stay all night.

On the following morning the craft rose steadily to a height of about 400 ft., and after experiencing some difficulty in finding his way, owing to the dense fog, Mr. Willows landed safely by his shed on the East Moors.



Issue #29 (16/07/1910), in addition to reporting on the sad death of Charles Rolls at the Bournemouth aviation meet, published a piece on the 62 mile flight of the Willows II airship from Cheltenham to Cardiff:



By issue #33 (13/08/1910) they were reporting on Willows' flight from Cardiff to London:

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PRESS
Wednesday August 10th
Rhos

IFO - one of the very first aeroplane flights in Wales was made by Robert Loraine. Flight #33 (13/08/1910) reported:

Two remarkable flights were made from Blackpool on Wednesday morning. The first was by Mr. Robert Loraine, who has been contemplating a trip to Ireland, via Holyhead and the Isle of Man. He arrived at the Blackpool aerodrome at six o'clock on Tuesday morning, and found the weather conditions almost ideal for flying. He therefore determined to try a cross-country flight. The Gnome was soon started, and at 6.26 a.m. Mr. Loraine was in the air, and, climbing to a good altitude, he eventually darted off in the direction of Southport, and, crossing the town, turned out to sea, direct across to the Welsh coast, striking it at Rhos, and landing on the golf links there after a flight of about 60 miles. The time taken was a little over an hour and a half. Mr. Loraine intended to fly on to Holyhead later in the day.

Issue #34 (20/08/1910) picked up the tale:

In our last issue we were able to briefly chronicle Mr. Loraine's splendid flight from Blackpool to Rhos on Wednesday of last week. Later in the same day he started off once more, intending to reach Holyhead, the next station on his way to Dublin. After flying for a little over 3 hours he found that his petrol supply was running out, and decided to come down at the first suitable place. This was a farm near Cemlyn, where the biplane was stored for the night.

On Thursday a strong wind prevented any flying, but on Friday evening a slight lull induced Mr. Loraine to start with the intention of getting to Holyhead. The engine, however, was not working at its best, and the strong wind prevented Mr. Loraine from rising sufficiently in order to clear some rough ground. The chassis of the machine collapsed, and the whole machine was considerably damaged by the shock, but Mr. Loraine escaped unhurt.



Issue #37 (10/09/1910) related how Loraine made another attempt a few weeks later on Saturday September 10th, but was thwarted by bad weather:

By his fine flights already achieved, Mr. Loraine ranks amongst the best pioneers of the day, and that he is mainly prompted in following up the art for itself is clearly evidenced by his exceptional avoidance of self-advertisement in regard to the work which he is accomplishing. Quite quietly and almost secretly on Saturday last he arrived at Holyhead from Cemlyn, where his Henry Farman machine is stored since his mishap when attempting to fly from that point to the Anglesey port.

The weather being all that was desirable for a successfal flight, Mr. Loraine determined to attempt the journey across the water to Dublin, with the intention of returning to Holyhead as soon as possible, anticipating the time the journey each way would occupy to be about 1 and half hours. At six o'clock he was ready, and in spite of all precautions a goodly number of the public had somehow got wind of his intentions and gave voice to their enthusiasm at the apparently successful consummation of the project.

The recent heavy rains, however, were against the attempt, having saturated the ground to such an extent that it was impossible to get the acroplane up to a sufficient speed to enable it to get clear of terra firma. In the attempt, unfortunately, the machine came into contact with a boulder, smashing the lower part of the aeroplane, and necessitating considerable repairs.

Mr. Loraine, who was somewhat mixed up with the wires through the sudden shock, was not hurt in any other way, although he came to the ground with a fair amount of force. Further attempt for the moment was therefore out of the question, and Mr. Loraine returned by car to Holyhead a very disappointed man. When he makes his next attempt in all probability his starting point will be from Salt Island, which spot he hopes to make for also on his return journey.

Loraine finally accomplished his flight from Holyhead to Ireland on Sunday 11th September 1910, as reported in issue #38 (17/09/1910) of Flight:

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PRESS
Monday 22nd August
Cardiff

A SKY PHENOMENON

A correspondent informs us of an extraordinary spectacular effect witnessed on Monday evening. In the south-western sky he saw two long bars of light, perfectly straight and parallel, suggestive of bars of red-hot iron. Perhaps other readers also observed the spectacle, or can afford some explanation.

Source: 'Evening Express' 23 August 1910.

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PRESS
December 1910
Tumble

The South Wales Daily Star 'post bag' column of December 31st 1910 reported that the Welsh village of Tumble was being haunted by a ghost who turned up in a resident's bedroom everyday to say good night!


The little village of Tumble, near Llanelly - famous aforetime by reason of certain riots - is now suffering through the presence of a spook. The ghost's behaviour is reported as being decorous in the extreme. It does not go in for smashing crockery a la "poltergeist," but simply comes in at a certain time of the night to a bedroom, says "good-night," and leaves - till the following night. Nevertheless, the people in the house and around don't like it. They might have a worse visitation however - like the Meifod ghost, who pelted folk with pebbles, which is a bit more unpleasant than a civil good-night.

Welsh UFO sightings from 1909. For sightings from other years please click HERE.

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March
Across the UK

Harold T. Wilkins wrote in his 1954 book, Flying Saucers on the Attack:

1909 (March): Narrow, oblong object with powerful light seen in sky over Peterborough, Eng. Sounds of motor. (N.B. Airplanes then merely in pioneer stage). Same object seen also in skies from Essex and Midlands to Wales. Object must have had a speed of 210 miles an hour to have covered this distance in one night. Welsh man said it was tube-shaped, and he saw "creatures like monkeys emerge from it." (This part of the story was not confirmed)

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PRESS
March 1909
Aberarth

The Aberystwyth Observer of March 18th 1909 reported on ghostly rappings in a chimney:

GHOST AT ABERARTH. RAPPINGS IN THE CHIMNEY.

The inhabitants of Aberarth are completely mystified by the extraordinary noises which are heard proceeding from the chimneys of two houses situate near each other in the village. So frightened was one of the tenants that he gave up his house and the tenant of the other house is reported to bo making arrangemente to leave. The noises closely resemble rapping and are traced to the vicinity of the chimney.

Every search has been made to discover the cause, but, the "ghost" has baffled all attempts at solution; volunteers have entered the house and remained there for hours, but they here came away unrewarded for their trouble. The agited villagers hang round the houses in the day time and listen to the rappings which contrary to all ghostly precedants cotinue in the day light. It stops at 3 p.m. but recommences at 9 p.m. and goes on until 3 am., when the tired watchers are released from their vigil.

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PRESS
Saturday 15th May, 01:00
Newport

G. Beanland and A. V. Day, at the local flour mill, sighted a cigar-shaped object stationary over Newport Bridge, shortly after 1.00 AM. Searchlights flashed from each end on to the bridge. After 10 minutes one of the lights went out, and the object flew off towards Stow Hill.

Source: The Eternal Subject Brinsley Le Poer Trench 1973 pages 97-98 citing South Wales Daily News, Cardiff, May 17, 1909.

The Western Mail of Monday 17th May reported:

SAID TO HAVE BEEN SEEN HOVERING OVER NEWPORT 
Victor Day, packer, employed at the Star Flour Mills, Newport, states that whilst he was in company with two other men standing on the railway siding about one o'clock on Saturday morning, he saw what he believed was an airship hovering over Newport Bridge very high in the air.

He was standing on the quay wall near the Star Mills, and had his attention drawn to something in the sky. In his opinion it had the shape of a torpedo, and was then statonary.

There appeared to be two lights out at each end, which flashed across the sky. The airship was clearly outlined against a clear sky, but it was not very light. It appeared in the same position for about ten minutes, and then one of the searchlights suddenly went out.

A minute later the other light gradually grew dimmer, and also disappeared. It appeared to be affected by a slight wind in the direction of Stow Hill, and then went out of sight.

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PRESS
Tuesday 18th May
Bangor

Various newspapers reported on a rumour that swept Bangor and had lots of children out searching for "fairies, brownies or hobgoblins." The rumour alleged that "little men with big eyes and long ears had been seen playing amongst the tombstones" of a disused cemetary in the centre of town. The North Wales Weekly News (21/05/1909) claimed one of their sources said the children numbered in their hundreds. However many kids there were, they did manage to make enough noise to have the police attend the scene and put an end to proceedings.


The Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald and North and South Wales Independent (21/05/1909) had the most detailed report:

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PRESS
Tuesday 18th May
Caerphilly Mountain

I'm planning on writing this case - and the media coverage it generated - up more fully, but the basic story is that of Mr C. Lethbridge. Sometime dock worker, sometime Punch and Judy purveyor, Lethbridge was pushing his Punch and Judy cart home via Caerphilly Mountain on Tuesday 16th May.



Lethbridge, while admitting he had had a 'sleever', maintained that he hadn't been drunk when he came across a grounded craft ('a long tube-shaped affair') and two young men dressed in heavy fur coats and hats. On seeing him the men 'jumped up and jabbered furiously to each other in a strange lingo - Welsh or something; it was certainly not English.' They then got into 'a kind of little carriage suspended from' the craft, and rose into the air 'in a zig-zag fashion'.







The sighting resulted in lots of newspaper interest and speculation. So much so that in a follow up piece in the Evening Express on July 7th, Lethbridge said he was 'sick of the whole matter'.

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PRESS
Wednesday 19th May, 01:20
Cardiff Docks

At about 1.20 AM coal trimmers at the Queen Alexandra Dock in Cardiff, W. John, C. Hayman, A. Bradley, C. Harwood and J. Thomas, a signalman named Westlake and Dick Squires, another workman at the dock, and a number of men onboard a ship saw an object in the sky.

The coal trimmers were near the foreshore, when a "swishing" sound overhead attracted their attention. It was too dark to clearly distinguish any object, but the men saw two lights "a kind of flashing searchlight", they explained - which were visible for about three or four minutes, and appeared to be going in the direction of Newport, and then turning towards Weston.

The signalman, Robert Westlake, in a statement said:

"At 1.15 this morning, while attending to my duties signalling trains at King's Junction, Queen Alexandra Dock, I was startled by a weird object flying in the air. In appearance it represented a boat or cigar shape, and was making a whizzing noise. It was lit by two lights which could be plainly seen. It was travelling at a great rate, and was elevated at a distance of half-a-mile, making for eastward."

A number of men working on the steamship 'Arndale' also saw the airship. It came from the direction of Newport, took a curve over the docks, and passed over the Channel towards Weston, being clearly in view for a minute or two before the lights on board were suddenly extinguished.
Source: Western Mail, Wednesday 19th May 1909 and Thursday 20th May 1909.

Dr. M. B. Boyd took credit for this sighting, though later admitted his story of nocturnal flights in his airship were a hoax.

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PRESS
Wednesday 19th May, 08:00
Maindee, Newport

About 8.00 a.m., W. Breighton's little girl pointed out a 'big fowl' which would 'flap' at times. It came from the Bristol Channel, standing still on occasion, and moving away about 8.30 a.m. Two others saw the object, one, using a telescope, said the craft was 12 to 15 yards long and was carrying three men.

Source: 'Humanoid Encounters 1900 - 1929' Albert S. Rosales 2016 page 88 citing Carl Grove 'Flying Saucer Review' Vol. 17 No. 1.

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PRESS
Wednesday 19th May, dusk
Bristol Channel off Mumbles

Dusk. A witness whose name is unpublished reported a sighting to the Western Mail:

OBSERVATIONS FROM MUMBLES HEAD

A Swansea correspondent, who sends us his name and address privately, writes: - "The following observations may be of interest: Last night (Wednesday), being on Mumbles Head at dusk, I observed over the Channel in a S.S.E. direction, two elongated dark objects, apparently about 80 to 100 feet long, moving from N.W. to S.E. at a rapid rate. After watching them intently for a few minutes I saw four, white flashes in quick succession from the most easterly object, which was immediately answered by three slower flashes from the other. I also distinctly heard three sharp signals, apparently from a bell, answered by two more. The objects appeared to approach each other, and then disappeared, travelling away from my observation at a considerable speed."

Source: Western Mail, Friday 21st May 1909.

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PRESS
Wednesday 19th May, 22:00
Pontypool

10 PM. Mr Garth Fisher, architect and surveyor, and his wife, who reside at Penygarn, a village just outside Pontypool, assert that they saw the vessel pass by, at a considerable altitude right over their house, and going in the direction of Herefordshire.

Mr and Mrs Fisher's impression of the ship was that it was cigar-shaped, and carried a piece of canvas. There was also a powerful light attached. A number of men employed at the Town Forge saw it going over the mountain in the direction of Abergavenny. Passing over the forge the airship darted off at right angles.

A number of Post Office officials state that they saw something floating in the air about the same hour of the night, and that it had a powerful light, which quivered.

No one, however, appears to have heard the noise of a motor working.

So far as the Pontypool incident is concerned, a possible explanation is forthcoming. Mr Victor Swanton states that what was actually seen in the district on Wednesday was nothing more than a model airship, which, in conjunction with his brother, he had constructed for the purpose of experimenting with. The model, he says, was about 6 ft or 7 ft long, and elliptical, rather than cigar-shaped.

Wednesday being a favourable night for making an experiment, he accordingly let it loose from his house. An electrical flare light was attached, in order to show which direction the model took, and this was, doubtless, mistaken for the searchlight.

The model, continued Mr Swanton, attained a height of about 1,500 ft to 2000 ft, and sailed quite as well as he had anticipated in different directions. When reaching an altitude of about 2000 ft it went over Pontypool in the direction attested by the witnesses of the lights on Wednesday night - viz. Towards Llangibby.
Source: Western Mail, Friday 21st May 1909.

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PRESS
Thursday 20th May
South East Wales

Sightings came in from across the region in the early hours of the morning. The Evening Express of May 21st reported on the story:

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PRESS
Thursday 20th May, evening
Milford Haven

The Western Mail reported that an airship had passed over Milford Haven, seen by a crowd of some 300 people. It was picked up the Evening Express on May 22nd:


The Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph of June 2nd gleefully revealed the story to be a hoax:


[-and a contemporary from another hoax]

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PRESS
Saturday 22nd May, 22:30
Maesteg

Lights were seen over Commercial Street, Maesteg. One man, with a telescope, reported an aerial craft, with occupants. No other information.

Source: 'Humanoid Encounters 1900-1929' Albert S. Rosales 2016 page 88 citing Carl Grove 'Flying Saucer Review' Vol. 17 No.1

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PRESS
Saturday 22nd May, 22:55
Aberystwyth

The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard (28/05/1909) reported on a 'scareship' sighting from Aberystwyth.

"Shortly before eleven o'clock on Saturday night a group of Aberystwyth people had a slight attack of the airship scare. The rumour that an airship was about attracted a crowd on to the Promenade, but there was no actual sign of an airship. Although, according to hearsay, circumstantial evidence was not lacking, there could be no doubt in the minds of those who read the sensational reports in last week's papers of the visitation of a mysterious airship.

It is stated by those who were on the Promenade that the lights, presumably belonging to an airship, could be seen in the sky travelling south east from the sea. It is stated by others that the lights were seen coming from an inland direction and were put out when the supposed airship passed over the town. The lights were of a brilliant yellow colour and had the appearance of a search- light. The phenomena, however, passed away as mysteriously as it appeared."

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PRESS
Sunday 23rd May, 21:45
Llanwrst

A Llanrwst correspondent writes:

'About 9.45 pm on Sunday several Llanrwst people had a protracted view of a mysterious airship. A dim light was first observed approaching the town from the direction of Snowdon.

The aerial visitor, however, having for a few seconds hovered over Gwydr Castle, the Welsh seat of Lord Carrington, served to the left and rose to a higher altitude and followed the range of mountains in the direction of Trefriw.

It was then seen that the vessel showed a yellowish light in front and behind and the distance between did not seem more than 12 or 15 ft. Owing to the darkness the shape of the vessel could not clearly be defined, it however, travelled at considerable speed.

It hovered for a few seconds over Dolgarrog Aluminium works, where it dipped considerably and threw a bright light on the mountain-side beneath. The machine then ascended to a great height and continued its flight until it disappeared over the mountain in the direction of Llandudno.

The machine was exposed to view from 9.45 pm to 10.15 pm and during that period travelled at least 13 miles.'
Source: North Wales Weekly News, Friday 28th May 1909.

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PRESS
Monday 24th May, 23:15
Swansea

A Swansea police-constable has supplied an official statement that he saw distinctly from Port Tennant at 11.30 at night an airship going in a westerly-direction at a great speed, with a powerful light.

Police-constable (111) Williams reports that at 11.15 on Monday night, whilst standing at the tram terminus, Port Tennant, in company with a man named Bell, the latter noticed a light moving in the air, and drew the police-constable's attention to it.

After a little while the airship was noticed passing along in a north-westerly direction at a great speed. The light attached to the airship was exceedingly bright, and was located under it.

The airship was at such a height that it was impossible for the observers to give a good description of it, and it passed out of sight.

To make sure they were not mistaken they sought the assistance of Police-constable Johnstone. That officer avers that he saw a bright light, but he will not swear that it was an airship.

The incident was reported in the police occurrence book.
Source: Weekly Mail, 29th May 1909.

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Mystery Solved!



Flight magazine #22 (29/05/1909) reported on the wave of sightings and what they believed to be the cause - an advertising balloon:

PHANTOM ARISHIPS AND SCARE HEADLINES

An absurd degree of credence has been accorded by a certain section of the daily Press during the past week or two to what were evidently ridiculously exaggerated statements that emanated from various parts of the country concerning the appearance of mysterious air-ships by night.

Clever though the ruse has been, it was evident from the very first that either a practical joke was being played or that a bold advertising scheme was on foot. The lengths to which speculation of the wildest kind were allowed to go was neither beneficial to the new industry nor calculated to enhance the dignity of the British public in the eyes of foreign nations.

Apart from that, however, the game played with illuminated toy balloons of orthodox cigar-shape, towed by cars, in the still watches of the night, was well conceived from an up-to-date advertiser's standpoint, and was carried out with conspicuous ingenuity and adroitness, while apparently a well-known firm of automobile engineers may be suspected of deep complicity in it.

From Mr. C. D. Clayton we learn, at any rate, that:-

"The airship which has been causing considerable comment by its mysterious passages turns out to be a Sizaire Mors airship of Messrs. Jarrott and Letts, Ltd., and which was found wrecked on Chalk Hill Down, unstable, in the early morning of May 25th, being discovered by L. White, who has been rewarded with the sum of £5."

And to this we need but add that the following notice is said to have been found attached to the expired monster by its lucky finder: "In the event of an accident. This airship is the property Jarrott and Letts, London, who will pay the sum of 5 to the finder, provided he first sends: telegram to " Jemidar," London, stating where the airship is to be found.'

A member of the 'well-known West End firm' told a reporter from the Daily Chronicle: "Yes," he said with a laugh, "This airship is one which we arranged some weeks ago to send up as an advertisement. It consisted of twin cigar-shaped balloons, to which was attached a bamboo framework, 40ft. in length. Underneath were suspended two large electric lamps. It was, of course, merely a toy airship.

The arrangement was that it should be taken from place to place by motor-car and sent up at night-time. The balloons were inflated with hot air. I have been out of town for some time, and only returned to-night, so most of my knowledge as to the flight of the airship has been gleaned from the newspapers. As a matter of fact, I don't really know when it made its first ascent. All I know is that it was to start in Norfolk."

The Illustrated London News of June 5th 1909 published a photograph of the wreckage:

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PRESS
Monday May 31st 1909
Tregaron

The Cambrian News of June 4th reported:

Scareship. On Monday evening a dark object was seen in the sky. The news was speedily spread that a balloon or an airship was arproaching the town, and great was the curiosity aroused. The streets were soon filled with interested onlookers, everybody with his own opinion as to the object seen.

Opera glasses and telescopes were immediately sought for and the excitement for some time, at any rate, brightened up the usual gloomy appearance of the place. The dark object at last came in full view, and was seen to be a large balloon with no carriage or passengers.

At one point, near Craig Pantseiri, it appeared as if it had alighted thereon, but it again ascended and proceeded towards Rhayader. The balloon was carefully watched till it was out of sight. This was the first flying object ever seen in the district.

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Mystery Solved Again! Or not...

On July 6th newspapers began reporting the explanation behind the spate of nighttime airship sightings. The Evening Express claimed that Dr. Maxim B. Boyd, allegedly a well known American aeronaut, had come forward to reveal the mystery airship was a prototype of his own design, some eight years in development.






However as the days passed some commentators were far from convinced. Boyd initially stuck to the story and said he would be unveiling the airship to the public in the near future, as in this piece from the Evening Express of July 8th.



Flight magazine were cautiously enthusiastic about the claims, saying they were satisfied proof would soon be forthcoming. As of July 10th Boyd was still offering up explanations of how he had kept the development of his airship a secret, as reported here in the Cardiff Times:





What was much less widely reported was that by July 12th Boyd had given up on his attempts to convince people of his story. Here is some coverage of his admission in the Kalgoorlie Miner, a daily newspaper from Western Australia, as none was forthcoming from the Welsh newspapers...



After some newspaper trawling I came across a report which referred to him as Dr Maxim Boyd, which lead me to one Maxim Bernard Becker Boyd - aka Maxim Boyd Hart - who was convicted multiple times for fraud and forgery. He first came to the notice of the press in 1904 when he was performing around the country as the 'Magic Kettle Man', conducting experiments with liquid nitrogen, and some of the same papers followed up with reports on his 1905 conviction for forgery. By 1912 he was living in London as an "undischarged but unashamed bankrupt" who had allegedly invented an engine that would "revolutionise motoring." By 1916 he was claiming to be German and was up in Lambeth Police Court in the February for theft. (The Globe, 05/02/1916)

He eventually left for the USA via Liverpool in April 1917. So, basically, his coming forward to the Daily News fitted with his usual M.O. - in 1916 the Police Gazette described him as someone "who poses as an inventor, scientist or director of electrical engineering companies. Obtains quantities of goods in connection with the companies, which prove nonexistent, but fails to make any payment. Has also negotiated worthless cheques, made out on plain paper, by pretending he has forgotten his cheque book; and forged and uttered bills of exchange for large amounts."

On 19th August the Melbourne Punch speculated that explanations for the scareship sightings might have come from the government to calm the public fears they represented foreign spies - and avoid any further questions being asked.

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PRESS
Thursday 8th July, 21:00 - 21:30
Llantarnam

A month or so ago South Wales was excited over the mysterious appearance and disappearance of a strange object in the heavens. That proved to be the wonderful aerial invention of Dr. Boyd. The secret only came to light a few days ago, proving the veracity of reports published in the "Evening Express".

Now there is a mystery in the air again. Some campers and others at Allt-Yr-Yn were startled on Thursday night by seeing a cigar-shaped object hovering over the Crindau and Llantarnam districts, where it remained for about half an hour, between nine o'clock and half-past nine. This story was communicated by Mr. W. G. Crawley.

Source: Evening Express, Saturday 10th July 1909.

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PRESS
Friday 9th July, 23:00
Cardiff

"Mr. John Ashfield, of 49 Alexandria Road, Cardiff, an old resident of the town, states that he saw an airship over Cowbridge Road shortly after 11pm last night and ran after it. There were two occupants of the central part, he says, and he shouted and received an answering call, but the three lights it bore were then immediately switched off and the mysterious object soon disappeared in the direction of Penarth."

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PRESS
Friday 9th July, 23:45
Cardiff

Miss Isabel Evans, of 43, Diamond-street, Roath, Cardiff, had her attention drawn to a brilliant light. More careful observation revealed to her a "cigar-shaped object with a powerful searchlight attached."

"Really, it was a most powerful light," emphasised Miss Evans in an interview with a reporter, "and it was, apparently, playing down on Newport, although it was distinctly over Cardiff, appearing to be just over our heads."

Miss Evans said she called the attention of her mother to the strange sight, and they watched the ship moving about for nearly half an hour. Now and then it would make a violent dart and take a circular tour.

Finally the object disappeared over Newport into the darkness.
Source: Evening Express, Saturday 10th July 1909.

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PRESS
Monday 9th August, 07:00
Merthyr Mountain

ANOTHER AIRSHIP SCARE

Three persons in Cwmdare declare that they saw an airship last Monday morning. Mr. Evan John Evans, milk vendor, one of the three persons referred to, was milking his cows in Gamblyn field at 7 o'clock that morning, when he perceived an object descend on the Merthyr mountain and rise again very quickly. It was cigar-like in shape, similar in the one seen on Caerphilly mountain. He also saw a person inside, dressed in black. The airship went in the direction of Merthyr. Mr. Evans' son and daughter, who were with him, also testify to seeing it.

Source: Aberdare Leader, Saturday 14th August 1909.

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PRESS
26th August
Pentyrch

Residents of Pentyrch and Creigiau sky watched throughout the week of 23rd - 29th August, intrigued by a brilliant sparkling light in the east. The Evening Express (28/08/1909) suggested the sighting was of Mars.

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PRESS
Friday 3rd September, night
Pentre, Rhondda

On Friday night, an unusual sight was visible in the sky above Pentre. The appearance of lights at intervals led some prophets to think of the end of the world, while others of a more modern frame of mind thought of aeroplanes and balloons. As yet, no definite information can be obtained as to the cause of the scare.

Source: Rhondda Leader, Saturday 4th September 1909.

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PRESS
December 27th 1909
Monmouth

IFO: C. S. Rolls took a balloon up from the Hendre with Major B. Baden-Powell. They landed in Gloucester shortly after dusk.