THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE. CASE #1. USS CYCLOPS. PT 3.

THE CYCLOPS-  Is an Example of Paranormal Researchers Ignoring Obvious explanations for the Disappearance, making it seem like the U.S. NAVY and other Official Sources are Completely Baffled in explaining what happened. 

However, as with many other "MISSING SHIPS AND PLANES," the Answer is probably not just a Single Reason.  Various Factors, sometimes not apparent at the Time, may have Influenced the Tragic Outcome.

#1-  IMPROPER HANDLING, AND LOADING OF CARGO.-  This May have been a Factor in the Disappearance, but there is no CONSENSUS AMONG RESEARCHERS AND HISTORIANS as to what Degree.  MANGANESE ORE was a Cargo the CYCLOPS had not carried before, and the shifting and settling while in the hold may have led to HULL FAILURE, or if Improper Hatch Coverage Allowed SEAWATER TO ENTER THE STORAGE AREA, THE RESULTING SHIFT IN WEIGHT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE SHIP TO FOUNDER.

#2-  ENGINE DAMAGE AND FAILURE-  It was Reported by the Captain, LT. COMMANDER GEORGE WORLEY,  that his STARBOARD ENGINE WAS OUT, AND IN NEED OF REPAIR.  However, this was not Done Prior to the Final Voyage of the CYCLOPS.  Such a Reduction in SPEED AND MANEUVERABILITY could be CATASTROPHIC if the Ship Encountered any Unforeseen Difficulties while at Sea.

#3-  STRUCTURAL FAILURE-  As you can see from the above Photo, the CYCLOPS AND HER SISTER SHIPS HAD A VERY UNIQUE DESIGN AND PROFILE.  THE I- BAR CONSTRUCTION, WHICH RAN NEARLY THE LENGTH OF THE SHIP, COULD CAUSE THE SHIP TO BECOME UNSTABLE AND HARD TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY IN FOUL WEATHER.

#4-  ENCOUNTERING EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WERE NOT EXPECTED,  AND THE PHYSICAL CONDITION OF THE SHIP AT THE TIME, COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE CYCLOPS BEING UNABLE TO WITHSTAND THE NATURAL FORCES THAT HIT IT DURING THE LAST VOYAGE.

These are the More Rational Explanations put forth, and there is Tangible Evidence to Support Each, at least in Terms of Partial Responsibility that may have led to the Loss of the CYCLOPS.

We will look at the MORE OUTLANDISH EXPLANATIONS IN THE NEXT SEGMENT.

Date-  5/25/2015.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE. CASE #1. USS CYCLOPS. PT 2.

THE DISAPPEARANCE-  The CYCLOPS was, at the Time it went Missing, being used by the U.S. NAVY as a Bulk Carrier for Cargo such as Coal.  However,  it was Transporting MANGANESE ORE during its Final Voyage, something it had not done before.

The Cyclops arrived at RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL on January, 28, 1918 with a Load of Coal. She was Re-Loaded with the Manganese Ore, and Departed on FEBRUARY, 16 , 1918. On February, 20 ,1918 the CYCLOPS entered BAHIA, and on the 22nd Cast Off for its Final Destination.

THE Destination was BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

However, the CYCLOPS changed its planned course to BARBADOS, arriving on March, 3 , 1918, and Departing for BALTIMORE the next day.

It was never seen or heard from again.

That is the Basic Story. 

HOWEVER...

If we were to leave the story at this point, which many do, we would be left with an Intriguing Mystery. How could a Ship of the U.S. NAVY just Disappear, without a REASONABLE EXPLANATION?

This Question is a Fair One, and some Proponents of the Supernatural Explanation for the Disappearance "ATTEMPT" to find an Alternative Explanation.  In this way, They can claim to be Honest and Diligent Researchers, looking at all possible ways to explain the loss of the CYCLOPS.

WRONG.

The BERMUDA TRIANGLE ENTHUSIASTS OFTEN COMMIT THE SAME TYPE OF FLAWED METHODOLOGY IN FINDING AN ANSWER FOR THE DISAPPEARANCE, THAT OTHER INVESTIGATORS OF THE PARANORMAL ARE ALSO GUILTY OF:  CHERRY PICKING POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS, AND ADDRESSING THOSE THEY CAN  EASILY REFUTE, AND IGNORING OTHERS THAT PROVIDE A MUCH MORE REASONABLE AND LIKELY EXPLANATION, WHICH CONTRADICTS THEIR CHOSEN SUPERNATURAL CAUSE.

We will look at a Couple of these in pt 3.

Date-  3/16/2015.

THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD. THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE. CASE #1. USS CYCLOPS. PT 1.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

NAME-  USS CYCLOPS.

YEAR LAUNCHED-  1910.

DISAPPEARED, ASSUMED LOST AT SEA-  MARCH, 1918.

SHIP TYPE-  COLLIER.

OWNER-  COMMISSIONED BY U.S. NAVY IN 1917.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

DISPLACED-  19,360 TONS.

LENGTH-  542 FEET.

BEAM-  65 FEET.

SPEED- 15 KNOTS. 

SHIPS COMPLEMENT:  WAR TIME - 236 OFFICERS AND ENLISTED. (NUMBER EXCLUDES PASSENGERS.)

CARGO AT TIME OF DISAPPEARANCE-  MANGANESE ORE.

ALTHOUGH NOT CONSIDERED A COMBAT VESSEL, CARRIED AN ARMAMENT OF 4 X 4 INCH GUNS.

THE USS CYCLOPS is an Intriguing example of a Ship considered to be a "VICTIM" of the BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

WHY?

-  It remains the Largest Loss of Life in the History of the U.S. Navy, in an incident not involving Combat.

-  While the Above Information is now considered Factual, the CYCLOPS Disappeared during WORLD WAR 1, and was at one time considered to be a possible victim of a U- BOAT attack.

-  The Commanding Officer at the time of the Disappearance, LT. COMMANDER GEORGE WORLEY, had a reputation as being an Eccentric and Unorthodox Officer.

-  One of the Passengers during its Last Voyage was ALFRED GOTTSCHALK, the U.S CONSUL- GENERAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO.  It was said that he and WORLEY held views that were sympathetic to GERMANY, at the time at War with the U.S.

-  Since the CYCLOPS Disappeared without a Trace, different Theories have been put forth to explain what happened to her.  They Range from Traditional Explanations that are usually associated with the Loss of a Ship at Sea;  Sunk By A Storm, Engine or Structure Failure, Struck a Submerged Object etc., to the Fantastic and Bizarre; Mutiny, Piracy, Water Spouts, Giant Sea Creatures, and of course the old stand by- UFOs.

-  The CYCLOPS also had Two Sister Ships, the PROTEUS and the NEREUS, that later also Disappeared without a Trace.

So, with this information, lets look at the Legend as it pertains to the BERMUDA TRIANGLE.

Date-  1/8/2015.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. PORTRAITS OF EVIL- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE EVIL? PT 2.

However, let us ask another question: No matter what the source, Secular or Religious, are there certain common characteristics that are Universal in Nature, WHEN DEFINING THE CONCEPT OF EVIL?

There does seem to be Particular Qualities associated with EVIL, and how it should be Confronted, Prevented, or Punished.

1)  EVIL is Detrimental in Nature, with no positive qualities. 

2)  EVIL should be avoided, for no outcome would be considered desirable, if it is employed as a Tool to affect any Course of Action, or Implement Change.

3)  EVIL Must always be Punished, and never encouraged.

4)  EVIL, even if not Identified by name to describe any Action or State of Being, is often Associated with other Words or Terms.  Sometimes, they are used Interchangeably, where the Definition and Usage Mean practically the same thing. 

( A COMMON PLOY BY CERTAIN GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS, SUCH AS POLITICIANS AND ATTORNEYS.  THE REASON:  USING THE WORD EVIL ITSELF MIGHT BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, SO SOMETHING LESS PROVOCATIVE IS USED.)

Along the Same Lines, EVIL might be used as the Antithesis to other Words or Terms, Creating the Impression that its exact opposite is an example of an ULTIMATE GOOD. 

5)  EVIL= IMMORAL.  NO MORE, NO LESS.

6)  EVIL IS CHAOS AND DISORDER, AND AN ENEMY TO PROGRESS, JUSTICE, AND ALL THAT IS "GOOD."

Much of what you read Above is how EVIL IS DEFINED WHEN WE CONSIDER HOW SOCIETY VIEWS IT AS A CONCEPT TO MAINTAIN ORDER, PREVENT UNDESIRABLE SITUATIONS, AND ALLOW INDIVIDUALS THE ABILITY TO MAKE THEIR OWN LIFE CHOICES.

Unfortunately, HOW SOCIETY DEFINES EVIL IS OFTEN LEFT TO THE WHIMS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO EQUATE THEIR PERSONAL DEFINITION, AS THE ONE THAT BEST SUITS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE.

Date-  1/4/2015.