The Mysterious Occurrences

of the Bermuda Triangle

By

Meahzabin Rahman

Honors Contemporary Composition

Period 3

5/15/17
 Rahman 1
Abstract
The paper reviews the Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devils Triangle located in

between Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Bermuda, an island. The area is largely

known for its mysterious disappearances of aircraft and ships, especially Flight 19. There are

numerous controversies, which include natural disasters being the major cause while others are

clouds and microbursts, a component of an air bomb leading to the vanishings. However, it has

not been thoroughly confirmed whether the theories mentioned above are significant factors that

are the leading causes.

In this paper, research is mainly based on overall truth about the existence of the

Bermuda Triangle and the elements related to the phenomenon. In addition, other components

solely focus on examples of activities that occurred paranormally. However, the paper goes in

depth into historical parts, especially on the naming of the location. Furthermore, claims will be

made based on news articles and books as well as pictorial evidence mentioned in the scholarly

articles. The research will cover each cause individually and as a major factor towards the basis

of the theories of the Bermuda Triangle.

Although a variety of examples of vanishings have been found and discussed, I

researched a well-known series of disappearances that included numerous factors. Additionally,

research was done on the results after the incidents occurred. The significance of researching the

Bermuda Triangle includes how the disappearances could be prevented if there is extensive

research done thoroughly to prove that an effective method will allow people to be saved. Also,

surveys indicated that some people agreed that the location is a myth while others believed that it

was a true place. Overall, the research on the Bermuda Triangle indicates that skepticism still

exists about what actually leads to the events that appear suddenly and endanger human lives.
 Rahman 2

Historical Context

The name of the Bermuda Triangle was first termed by Vincent H. Gaddis, an American

author and paranormal writer, in 1964 in a magazine called Argosy. However, this was not the

first time the general location was heard of even though it had not been named. Disappearances

first began mysteriously occurring from the seventeenth century although there was not a

sufficient amount of significant details provided to understand the clear story of the incidents that

took place. In addition, writers discovered that there were numerous causes to the vanishings

because each factor played an important role in leading to the situation. Furthermore, there were

countless debates about the accurate shape of the Bermuda Triangle because In fact there was

no clear triangle, and writers proposed greatly varying sizes and even different shapes,

including a rough square called The Hoodoo Sea and another very large configuration,

Devils Trapezium (Nickell).

The first known Devils Triangle disappearance transpired in 1800 at sea with the ship

USS Pickering that left to Delaware and lost ninety people. It was believed that this dangerous

situation happened due to strong winds that blew the ship into the location. Other ships, such as

the USS Wasp and USS Wild Cat evanesced during that century, but there were not specifically

known origins of why the episodes arose. However, one of the most popular and well known

vanishings took place with the USS Cyclops during World War I in 1918, which left to Maryland

from Barbados and lost everyone in the ship. On the contrary, a true cause about the event has

not been determined yet although multiple theories have arisen about it. This event was one of

the turning points towards other possible factors that had a part in the ingression of the ships, but
 Rahman 3

also led to the beginning of controversies and different views about the reasons between the

public because there were prosaic explanationssevere weather, human error, and

equipment failure among themto case after misrepresented case (Nickell).

Even though disappearances happened with ships, many others included aircrafts, which

had better recordings and confirmations about how the sudden events took a dangerous turn and

ended the lives of many people. One well known episode was in 1945, during the end of World

War II when Flight 19 vanished and lost fourteen people. However, during the search of the

plane, an additional thirteen people lost their lives. Many theories, such as the failure of a

compass or human error were brought up for this event as well, leaving the public confused

about which elements were responsible for the mishap (Gail). Incidents, such as the one

mentioned continuously occur from time to time, but surprisingly dont make great headlines.

One recent occurrence was in 2015 with the ship SS El Faro, which sank within the Bermuda

Triangle, and was discovered underwater a month later. This led to confusion about how to stop

ships from sinking or aircraft from being engulfed, because after many years of research, there

has not been a successful method to prevent this from taking place.

When the public began receiving news about the occasions, conflicting views were

brought up from the time Vincent Gaddis coined the Bermuda Triangle because he observed the

ships disappeared without reasoning while others believed paranormal activities were

responsible, and still others, suspected that weather or microbursts, an air bomb component

played a major role. This led to disputes, especially between writers, such as Larry Kusche who

performed deep investigations to prove intelligent people, such as Gaddis wrong because he

viewed that there were indeed justifications behind why certain events took place. Although
 Rahman 4

scholars argued about the truth, reports about the happenings deeply interested the public

because they only wanted to know who or what an intellectual declared was correct since

different perspectives among people arose. Overall, the validity of how the ships vanished is

discussed today in order to effectively find a way to impede this from ensuing.
 Rahman 5

Findings

The idea of the Bermuda Triangle has been creating controversies from the time period of

when it was revealed that it was an active location, where many disappearances occurred due to

paranormal activities as most believe. On the contrary, other intellectuals believe that natural

disasters, technical difficulties, and physical barriers played significant roles in causing the

various ships and aircrafts to vanish and end human lives. In addition, there were countless

debates about the locations true existence, and the concept of it being a complete myth. In

Figure 1 of the survey, it shows that the majority of the students in each grade agreed that the

Bermuda Triangle existed in terms of its location. This greatly polarizes society because many

agree with the idea that it is a phenomenon while others disagree since they follow their religious

beliefs and think of it as taboo to believe in since this is not what their faith preaches.

30
The Bermuda Triangle exists.
25

20
Agree
15
Don't Know
10 Disagree

0 Figure 1
9th 10th Grade Level 11th 12th

One of the major beliefs about the Bermuda Triangles existing and disappearances

includes the theory that clouds are one of the main causes. This is evident when Jacq Evans

states that the new theory suggests the clouds are associated with 170 mph air bombs, which are

capable of bringing down planes and ships, which leads to their mysterious vanishings, and

negatively impacts peoples lives. Evans also cites a video and a theory of how the hexagonal
 Rahman 6

shaped clouds are linked to the air bombs, which show they way planes were suddenly pulled

into the sea and were never found. This indicates that clouds have an association with these types

of events. Similarly, microbursts, a component of the air bomb is partly responsible for impeding

the ships that pass through the area since they can do extensive damage on land and can

definitely sink ships in the ocean (Fritz). This proves that technology is a significant element,

which can cause great error due to the parts that can trigger an incorrect response and lead to

commotion.

Another claim for the actuality of the Devils Triangle consists of undersea craters being

responsible for such activities. This is done by methane creating spaces through a gas leak,

which has most likely leaked from deposits of natural gas deeper below the sea bed. This then

resulted to the creation of cavities and eventually burst once the pressure is too high. This results

to the disappearance of planes and vessels (Urban). This shows that due to the discovery of

undersea craters, it has been possible to figure out that the build-up of methane allowed

scientists to determine how the vanishings occur. This component is provided in order to caution

people who are interested in traveling around the area since it proves that chemicals are one of

the causes that lead to harming others lives. The discovery of the craters by researchers is a

significant part because it has allowed them to identify that the gas hydrates as a reaction to the

missing planes and vessels, which can enable them to find a solution to prevent the vanishings

from occurring (Urban).

Thirdly, magnetic variation is another technological factor that has destroyed innocent

lives as well as contribute to the sinking of various ships. This aspect, in fact, began from the

time period when Christopher Columbus was arriving to the Americas and found that his
 Rahman 7

compass was having complications because it didnt point toward the magnetic north, which is

the direction where ships can travel safely and sufficiently. On the contrary, the Devils

Triangle is one of the two places on earth that a magnetic compass does point towards true

north. Normally it points toward magnetic north. The difference between the two is known as

compass variation. The amount of variation changes by as much as 20 degrees as one

circumnavigates the earth. If this compass variation of error is not compensated for, a navigator

could find himself far off course and in deep trouble (Upton). This statement showcases that the

difference in magnetic values can have an impact on the ships since they will head to the wrong

zone. If they move towards the incorrect direction, ships will face great danger, which can cause

them to experience difficulties and eventually start to drown, which gives the Triangle a bad

reputation (Upton). Also, since there has been variations in the compass, none makes the

Triangle more unusual than any other place on Earth, which determines that the location stands

out due to this major factor, and is a major contributor to the episodes. This is proven in Figure 2,

where students were asked if disappearances occur more frequently in the Bermuda Triangle

than other parts of the world. The majority of the students responded with not knowing the fact

or disagreeing due to the lack of information they had about the location.

Figure 2: Disappearances occur more frequently in

the Bermuda Triangle than other parts of the world.
Disagree Don't Know Agree

6
8
12 9
8 15 5
8
9 9
5 5
9th 10th 11th 12th
Grade Level
 Rahman 8

Additionally, researchers claimed that incidents that occurred in the Bermuda Triangle

were due to natural phenomenon, such as storms. This contradicts the idea that paranormal

activities and technology are major characteristics when it comes to the sole existence of the area

because Larry Kusche, an American author and pilot believes that the reason to the evanescing of

the ships and planes must only be true events, and not fictitious theories. He revealed that

mysteryans rarely mentioned anything that conflicted with their mystery, especially

hurricanes and other severe weather, which proves that they only relied on paranormal activities

to create true accounts about the occurrences (Kusche). This shows that climates and their

patterns were never considered as an aspect since they were avoided in order to gain more

attention by other stories, such as spirits playing a role in the vanishings. Furthermore, the

existence of the Bermuda Triangle was considered to be real since there was a great amount of

solid evidence in the form of debris after the aircrafts disappeared. This, as implied by Vincent

Gaddis, shows that the triangle was active as exemplified by the tanker [that] Marine

Sulphur Queen began its final voyage on February 2, 1963, from Beaumont, Texas, with a cargo

of molten sulphur. Its destination was Norfolk, Virginia, but it actually sailed into the unknown.

A routine radio message on the night of February third placed the ship near the Dry Tortugas

(Gaddis). Lastly, the truth that the Devils Triangle is not fictitious, but still believed to be

operative validates that there is currently activity occurring as well.

On the contrary, there are major disagreements with the essence that the Bermuda

Triangle is a verifiable site because many scholars believe that the technological and natural

phenomena are false. One main example that the position does not exist is due to theoretical

ideas, such as gas explosions are considered to be myths. This is evident when there is proof
 Rahman 9

that gas explosions are common and that there have been no large releases of gas hydrates in

the region for the 15,000 years (Johanson). This statement strongly suggests that it is rare when

activities such as this one occur, so there is not a true way to show that they exist. Since theories

about this subject are associated with religion, many denounce the ideas and facts that arise since

it doesnt match in what they believe. This is evident in Figure 3 in which the survey asks if

the Bermuda Triangle myths are over-exaggerated. The results shows that they majority of the

people believed that they were fake since it doesnt go with their teachings or beliefs.

Furthermore, this type of phenomenon is used to persuade people who have an interest in

mysteries that there is no such thing as the Bermuda Triangle. Researchers from Monash

University in Australia who are against these types of ideas attempted to disprove the location

and its activity when they built a model ship and released a large bubble underneath it to see if

the vessel would lose it buoyancy. It did, but only when it was on the edge or in the trough of the

bubble (Johanson).

50
Figure 3: The Bermuda
45
Triangle myths are over-
40
exaggerated. 18
35
30
25 Disagree Don't Know Agree
20 15
15 12
6
10 4
5 6 7 4 5 14
2
2 3 4 4
0

Religion
 Rahman 10

Another disagreement regarding the existence and activity of the Devils Triangle

includes the complete denouncement of the theory that microbursts are the reason for the

disappearance of the aircraft and ships. In the arguments mentioned before, many researchers

supported that the microbursts were a leading factor when it came to the vanishings of such

activities. However, this idea contradicts the statement made because science journalist Kelsey

Kennedy cited two photographs of a physical and political map and a whether study comparing

the differences between the climates of the North Sea, where it is colder, to the Bahamas, where

it is warmer, which proves that there arent microbursts in the location due to the nonexistence of

hexagonal clouds. This indicates that the concept of the microbursts is completely false since

there isnt anything present to prove its being. In addition, he proved that microbusts were

nonexistent because You would normally have one large to extremely large thunderstorm that

wouldnt have an opening in the middle, said Kevin Corriveau (Kennedy). This shows that

there werent any natural phenomenon to support the fact that the activity of the Triangle was

true.

Thirdly, many researchers accept that the Devils Triangle is a real place, but they cant

confirm whether or not the disappearances that occurred are due to major theories since they

believe that there isnt a great amount of evidence to support it. Elwood Baumann, an author

believes that anything can be a force and trigger it in order for the mysterious episode to occur,

which is evident in the story of Dick Stern, who was in the Air Force during World War II and

experienced a sudden force that jolted the ship and almost caused the team to lose their lives. He

provides this short story to prove that any for could cause an attack when he states, An

unknown and unseen something was trying to drag the place out of the sky (Bumann 84).
 Rahman 11

Lastly, this factor proves that anything can cause an unpredictable and possibly dangerous event

when one is at sea.

Although theres great controversy over what causes certain aircraft and ships to vanish,

many agree that the Bermuda Triangle is not a fantasy in terms of its location since there is

ample evidence to prove that countless disappearances have occurred. This is evident when Gian

J. Quasar, an author cites in depth investigations about how the force of the air bomb in the

Devils Triangle causes the planes and ships to sink in order to caution people. In addition, in

order to show proof that it exists, scientists cited that The Gulf Stream is a powerful, warm,

and swift Atlantic Ocean current that follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and

Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the natures dangerous force

which acts as the medium behind the transportation of broken ships (Ujwal). This shows that

the sea is responsible for some of the occurrences in the triangle.

However, there have also been numerous debates regarding the activity of the location.

Many people believe that the Triangle isnt active anymore while others are on the opposite side.

This is shown when Andrew Donkin, an American author states that the fog caused activity to

occur since the water was choppy and rough, and the fog bank had hold of the barge and was

refusing to let go (Donkin 28-29). This statement proved that vanishings were still occurring,

and is evident in Figure 4 where students responded if the Bermuda Triangle was still active. The

majority answered that they didnt know since they didnt have a great amount of knowledge on

the subject. This implies that many people believe that the existence of the Bermuda Triangle is a

complete myth since they believe that its activity determines whether or not it is real.
 Rahman 12

The Bermuda Triangle is still active.

Figure 4 Agree Disagree Don't Know

11 13
17 9

11 4 6
4 9
4 4 7

9th 10th Grade Level 11th 12th

The controversial topic of the Bermuda Triangle is still discussed today, and there are

numerous disputes considering the theories that many of the significant and insignificant

elements alike are causing harm to humanity and sea life. Although certain events occurred,

many of the episodes that took place in the Bermuda Triangle were saved. On the other hand,

various aircraft and ships that vanished couldnt be found, which caused a stir about the ability of

the ship even though there was a fault in the Devils Triangle. Since many lives were lost at sea,

missions were taken to search for the people, but they were never found even though the ships

were found under the sea when various people encountered it. After the incidents occurred,

search missions reported that they unsuccessful to find the people even though headlines were

made for some events. This shows that a great amount of research must be put in to certain fields

since it could end up saving people. Overall, the concept of the Bermuda Triangle is an idea

where there must be research continuing since there arent any confirmations about which key

factors are responsible for specific occurrences.

 Rahman 13

Epilogue

The topic of the Bermuda Triangle has been in question from the time period of when it

was introduced to the world. In the beginning, many inferences about the location were based on

paranormal activities being responsible for the disappearances. However, as more research was

done, many discoveries were made, especially of how other major factors, such as magnetic

variation and weather patterns were key aspects behind such occurrences. Although the location

of the Devils Triangle is real, there have been countless controversies regarding whether or not

it was still active. Many disagreed with this claim because they believed that these types of

episodes only happened in the past. However, this has to be disproven since vanishings still

occur today even though they dont make it to the news, and research is being continued on how

to prevent such episodes from happening. This creates debates since some believe that the whole

idea in general is false because they may be religious while the opposite side supports all the

details that are related to it because they may be interested science and the elements related to it.

In order for there to be less controversy, extensive research must be done on each cause

to confirm that at least one of the factors contribute to the disappearances of aircrafts and ships.

In addition, researchers must focus on how to prevent specific events from occurring in order to

stop the controversy. There should also be discussions of the various ways find out methods to

save those who are at risk at sea. Furthermore, there should be more techniques on effective

ways on how to survive during emergencies or save oneself from drowning or other dangerous

events at sea. Although it will take time to figure out the correct ways to protect human life, it

will be worth it in the end since various characteristics contributed to take this specific action. In

conclusion, there will be strong outcomes when there are perfect ways found to make a
 Rahman 14

difference in the world and bring an end to the vanishings of aircrafts and ships that go great

lengths to complete a mission.

 Rahman 15

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