2/10/67 - Rowe and McGuire Families, N. Woodstock, CT, 5:30 PM

Press Account, source unknown, from Raymond Fowler case files 67-7

Four persons have reported sighting a large, triangular- shaped, unidentified flying object that they say hovered over their. home for several minutes.

The sighting was made Friday, according to Mrs. Doris Rowe of Turnpike Road. Mrs. Rowe said that her son, William, 15, and her son-in-law, Richard McGuire, 32, were outside in front of the garage at about 5:30 p.m. working on McGuire's car, when one of them looked up and saw the object hovering over them.

They saw three white lights at each corner of the triangular-shaped craft. "They were as bright as automobile headlights," said Mrs. Rowe, who later joined them to look at the object. Mrs. Rowe was joined by her daughter, Mrs. Nancy McGuire.

"William went into the house to get his camera as soon as he saw the thing," said Mrs. Rowe. "He came out and took several photos with, his 35 mm camera."

Showed Lights

The boy a sophomore at Monson Academy In Massachusetts had returned home for the weekend earlier in the day. Mrs. Rowe said that his hobby is photography, and that his camera is a good piece of equipment. She said the photos later showed the lights, but not the triangular shape of the craft. McGuire works at Knox Glass in Dayville.

Mrs. Rowe said that the craft hovered silently overhead for about two minutes, then moved over what she calls the south field in a southwesterly direction, where it hovered a little while longer..

She noted that the lights from the craft were so bright that the four could easily make out the silhouette of the craft. "It didn't make a sound until it began to move. Then it made a low rumbling noise - something like an airplane but not quite the same."

The housewife said that the craft definitely was not a helicopter or conventional airplane. "It hovered without a sound, about 1,000 feet or so, I'd say - although its height was hard to determine."

Took Off

Her soon took several photos and then ran into the house for a fresh roll of film. He returned and took a few more pictures, Mrs. Rowe said.

"Finally, the thing just took off real fast in a westerly direction and disappeared," Mrs. Rowe noted.

She added that the appearance of the craft did strange things to a pair of refrigerators and a television set in the house.

"I found both of my refrigerators - I have one in the kitchen and another in the pantry - frozen solid after I went into the house to prepare supper. I mean the whole retrigerator not just the freezer. I can't understand it, since the control was on the 'low' setting. I can't understand how it could get cold enough in the main compartment outside the freezer to freeze the items so solidly."

No TV Color

She also said that the color in her color television set went off, as the craft hovered over the house. "The kids, were looking at the TV just about when the thing appeared, and they told us the color went off and only black and white pictures were being received. This was in the middle of the program, too, not during a station break."

Mrs. Rowe said that several of her neighbors also later reported sighting. the strange craft. "Its all kind of scary, let me tell you," she added.

[The Evening Gazette of Worcester (MA?) carried a story on this on 2/22/67 (not as detailed as above); that story mentioned that the staff reporters had interviewed the witnesses - thus the story above appears to be from that paper before that date - the writer in both cases is Bernard Dupont, Gazette staff reporter - Ed.]

UFO Summary Report Form (2/25/67)

William Rowe - age 15

Mr. Richard McGuire - age 32

Area was open countryside. Meat, vegetables, and milk had frozen solid... TV color did not return until the UFO left the area and then only upon adjustment.

Estimated duration 10 minutes.

Lights brighter than stars, compared to high beam car headlights. ? next to "larger" suggesting larger than grapefruit.

Did not hear sound during "hovering" - sound compared to but lower than "a heavy four engine plane". Angular size was "much larger" than the head of a match at arms length.

Elevation estimated steady at 30 degrees across the object course. Course estimated NE to SSW.

Comments from followup by Thomas Scott, Chairman, NICAP Rhode Island - 3/26/69

She can not remember how many times the refrigerators froze up since the original instance but she finally settled on three or four times.

She is not sure if the last instance of freeze-up occured this year but she thinks it was this year. : She is not sure just when this year, however.

In every instance, she maintains, both refrigerators froze up simultaneously.

They have no refrigerators other than the two in question; in each instance the food freezes "hard as a rock"; in each instance they must wait two or three days for the food to thaw; yet they have had no serviceman in to look into the situation; they are not sure how many times the phenomenon has occured; they continue to rely on the same refrigerators and they are remarkably passive about the whole thing.

Mr. Rowe talks readily about the UFO but does not add to the discussion on the refrigerators except occasionally when it appears he is trying to help Mrs. Rowe out of a tight spot.

Mr. Rowe answered questions about the wiring of his house and about the fusing which gave us a surprise. He told us the kitchen is wired with #8 and the remainder of the house with #12. The fuses on the refrigerator circuits are only 10 amp. The refrigerators are on two different circuits.

We have not as yet been able to confirm these specifications and we hesitate to ask at this time since we wish to retain their friendship and cooperation.

During the interview, Mr. Rowe mentioned that his wife had suffered a heart attack at some time prior to the sighting and because of the condition of her health she could not remain outdoors during the entire time while the UFO was visible.

...

We do know Mrs. Rowe had a health condition at the time of the sighting. She may, therefore, been receiving medication. It is possible that "heart attack" could have been used in the loose sense to convey a message of illness to us.

At the outset of the interview, Mrs. Rowe suggested that perhaps the refrigerator problem had nothing to do with the UFO sighting and the the problem had occured several times since.

...

As Mr. Rowe points out, if the freeze-ups were do to E-M effect from the UFO, would not the television set be most likely affected? After all, that is an instrument so sensitive to magnetism that merely placing a telephone on the set will throw it off.

The TV set was impaired at the time of the sighting but was readily restored to operating condition merely by turning the knobs. And, the only impairment was loss of color. As a matter of fact, Mrs. McGuire's children and, I believe, children of another daughter watched television all through the sighting.

...If the refrigerators were affected by UFO presence; if the food did freeze; it must have done so because the motor ran at a higher speed or for a longer duration. The refrigerator was doing what it is supposed to do, only more so.

If the motors ran at a higher rate of speed, they did not cause 10 amp fuses to blow. The motors did not run at a speed sufficient to burn out the motors. If there was a power surge of momentary duration that would override the fuses but weld the thermostat points, how could the points become unstuck? Only the thermostat dial was used to correct the situation. And, this was repeated several times months apart with both refrigerators involved each time.

If there was a power surge, it did not affect the homes of neighbors, as far as can be determined. Nor did it affect any other electrical item, light bulbs, TV tubes, boiler.

If we allow that the refrigerator motors did run at maximum, we question the liklihood of rock-hard freeze-up in 30 to 45 minutes.

Mrs. Rowe reported in her questionaire that there were no airports in the area. South Woodstock airport is located six and one-half road miles from the Rowes. We counted about twenty-four light planes, no helicopters. There are no lights for nighttime operations. The manager states that helicopters do come in once in a while but never at that time of day.

If the UFO was a helicopter, it would seem that it could be heard since it was close enough to see three distinct lights. We hope the the photos will help on that point because if three lights can be seen, and helicopter dimensions can be assigned to the space between the lights, helicopter altitude may be ascertained. With altitude established, the liklihood of hearing sound from the vehicle may be established.

Mrs. Rowe told us she heard no sound from the object although she answered "not loud" on the questionaire. She said her son William "thought he heard a sound when the object moved".

There appears to be no evidence regarding the shape of the object. The lights were in a triangular pattern but nothing other than the lights could be seen.

From NICAP Photo-Analysis data form (1969?)

Camera

Manufacturer: Tower, Type: 35mm, Model 18B
Lens: f 1.2 48mm
Aperture, Shutter Speed - unknown
Focus - infinity

Film

Kodak Tri-X 400

Other Information

Photos taken - 12 [the one shown below is hand numbered "6" on the back - Ed.]
Photo was taken hand-held, except for resting it )[on something? on limb? - Ed.]

Facing ENE for first set, South for second. [Object was traveling SW according to official NICAP report form; duration estimated at 15 mins (1969 witness statement) - Ed.]

Sighting first reported to WINY radio station.

From 1969 witness statement (William Rowe)

"When the two lights were visible, the object stayed in one place for a few minutes. When the object hovered on the other side of our house, I can't remember if there [were] one or two lights visible."

"I was outside helping my brother-in-law push his car in the barn, when I turned around facing the NE and saw the bright lights."

[Note that map is inverted for easy reading - north is at bottom. - Ed.]

"... in my pictures which were taken on the front lawn of my house a tree and barn are faintly seen [not visible in the file print - Ed.]. There is a star in the picture which shows also the camera movement because [I] was not using a tripod."

Sighting was at clear dusk. No wind. Now estimated at 15 mins.

From 4/1969 restatement and NICAP form by Mrs. Rowe

"My son William and son-in-law Richard McGuire were working on a car in front of our garage when they noticed what looked like two large bright headlights in the sky up over a field in front of the garage.

"Bill came running in the house to tell us and to get his camera. He went back down to the garage and took several pictures while the object was absolutely still. As we watched it from the front yard, it moved directly over our heads and we noticed it was triangular in shape. We could see three bright lights. It went to the south side of our house and stopped again. This time it stoppd long enough for Bill to come into the house again, change the film in his camera, go outdoors again, and take several more pictures. He looked down to adjust his camera [mentioned in his witness report form and elsewhere - Ed.] and when he looked up again it was gone. It was impossible to see in which direction it had disappeared. It was dark outside at that time."

Course estimated NE to SW.

No wind.

Size estimated as larger than a grapefruit at arms length.

[Mrs. Rowe's age at the time of the sighting was 58; she also observed the object through a window- Ed.]

[Map from Mrs. Rowe - reoriented to match son's map orientation. Note her impression of object being on opposite side of house. - Ed.]

Original photo (uncropped)

Digital enlargement

Sketch by the witness

Details of interest

1. Bright extension with no corresponding feature on center light.
2. Notch, possibly indicating camera jog.
3. Notch, corresponding to #2.
4. Possible star or additional light (dim).
5. Bright extension from third light.
6. Possible star, star cluster, or portion of object.

Note that the angle between the two lights is about 9-11 degrees.

False color rendering of enlargement to show more clearly the outlines of the lights. Note that there is no trace of a connecting object.

Without the photograph, due to the debatable nature of the physical effects, this would be a minor UFO report at best. Unfortunately, witness statements from Mr. Rowe, Mr. and Mrs. McGuire, are absent from the file. These would be helpful confirmation - especially from Mr. McGuire, who presumably observed the object for the entire sighting.

However, the photos do offer an opportunity to potentially determine if this object should be a UFO.

The following projections assume an angular size of 5 degrees, a sky size of 180 degrees and a duration of 10 minutes. It accepts the 30 degree elevation.

The likely envelope of aircraft sizes, altitudes and feet are shown in the yellow cells of the spreadsheet. The intersection of the parameters is shown in green. Unfortunately, the envelope does not intersect the estimated speed, even when the minimum accepted is close to a minimum safe airspeed for a light aircraft.

Since the speed is the element which falls out of the envelope, perhaps it is worthwhile to attempt to constrain that number by constraining the possible duration.

Elements of the event important to that include:

1. First observation.
2. Running to the house to get the camera.
3. Coming back out of the house to where the object can be seen.
4. Taking between 1 and 11 photos.
5. Running back into the house.
6. Reloading the camera.
7. Running back out.
8. Taking between 1 and 11 photos (reciprocal of 4).

The following estimates assume 6 shots each roll.

The results are as follows:

At this point, a 2 or 3 mi distance is workable for an aircraft, except that the size of such an aircraft would be much too large.

Thus we recalculate the size:

Thus we have:

1. Reported - not an aircraft.

2. Minimums - 1-4 mi distance, 97 - 391 mph, size 21-212 feet, altitude 3,000 - 12,000 feet. (possible aircraft - including light plane at 97 mph, 21 feet size, 3,000 feet - not unreasonable for 6 miles out at early evening).

3. Maximums - not an aircraft (no intersection of envelopes).

4. Average - 1 mi distance, 50 mph, size 266 feet (not an aircraft (size too large)).

Though it is impossible to determine the altitude of the object, it is possible, with some assumptions, to confirm the suggested elevation angle for the object. This is possible if we assume that the object is flying flat and level relative to the ground. If the object were directly horizontal from the photographer, the two front lights would be directly level. As we move our simulation of the object in the sky, perspective effects raise the closer light above the more distant. A specific elevation angle would generate a specific perspective angle.

Another possibility for determining or confirming the elevation lies in identifying the photographed starfield.

One area of interest lies in determining the degree to which the image is distorted by camera motion. The presence of what appear to be stars allow us to examine this possibility.

This image shows the brightest objects selected from a contrast-enhanced version of the image (selected in several strips from that image, left to right, top to bottom (not directly corresponding to rows or columns in the image above)). As you can see, the star images are remarkably circular. The most elongated objects are unlikely to be stars - they are probably marks on the print or the negative.

Unfortunately, this makes it difficult to ascribe the shape of the lights on the object to camera motion. This was difficult in any event, since the right (rear) light, is elongated down and to the right, while the left lights are elongated down and to the front (assuming they are circular or ovoid in projection).

Details 1 and 5 in the "Details of interest" image (repeated above) are curious, in that they may suggest either the illumination of a surface of the object, or some other, dimmer source of light.

If detail 4 is a star, it indicates the possible lower limit of a fuselage. Detail 6 may mark a tail on an aircraft, the navigation light on a left wing, or if it is a star, the upper limit of any fuselage.

Is this an aircraft? There are some points in favor of that explanation:

1. Proximity to airport (6 miles).

2. Continuous trajectory.

3. Two bright lights in front (landing lights).

4. Assumption of minimums fits an aircraft envelope.

Neutral factors:

1. Apparent hovering and start and end of observation (continuous flight oncoming and departing) does not reveal the nature of the object engaging in that flight.

Opposing the aircraft explanation:

1. No strobes.

2. No red or green navigation lights (though there may be evidence of a wingtip light).

3. No major variations in the level of sound, even though the object approached, passed near overhead, and departed into the distance.

4. Unusual shape to the lights in the image, not apparently explained by camera motion.

5. Reported, average, and maximum assumptions do not fit an aircraft.

Needed information:

• Relative location of airport, sighting location and typical flight paths.
• Location of photo taking events.
• Other images.
• Any timing related information (program start / end, clock checked, etc.).
• Resolution of contradiction between son and mother maps.
• Statements from other witnesses.