Significant numbers of unidentified Russian vessels were located off the south of the Isle of Wight on 19th May 1950 – 75 years ago today.
The first flotilla – consisting of 7 ships – anchored off St Catherine’s Point for 2 hours in the afternoon. The second – comprising of 9 vessels – was spotted in the same vicinity later that day.
The crew on board the vessels were said to be ‘big men in the peak of condition’, wearing a kind of battledress under overcoats, with a variety of head-dress, some of which was fur-lined. There were also said to be 2 girls on board, dressed in blouses and skirts.
Altogether, a total of 29 Russian craft – dubbed ‘floating saucers’ by the Daily Express – were believed to be making their way through the Channel on that day.
When English Channel coastguard stations had sent ‘What ships are you?’ signals, these had been ignored.
The appearance of the Russian ships at the height of the Cold War had caused considerable concern as it coincided with Western Union (the predecessor of NATO) naval exercises in the area.
At a press conference on the eve of the naval exercises, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fraser, First Sea Lord, said of the vessels.
“I believe it is an ordinary passage of trawlers to the Black Sea.”
The Daily Express contacted the Russian Embassy to ask the following questions: Haven’t the Soviets completed a canal system that could take 300-ton craft like these? Is the Baltic overfished?
Their questions went unanswered.
A pilot stated that the sailors had informed him they had been fishing for North Sea salmon.
A British naval expert stated:
“These craft, like our own trawlers, are convertible into minesweepers and minelayers.
“Their heavy gear could lift an otter trawl for fishing or drop an acoustic or magnetic mine. See how well down in the water and heavily laden they are.”
Politicians claimed the Soviets had filled the English Channel with unexplained craft to coincide with the London Atlantic Pact Conference.
One stated:
“It’s part of the war of nerves, but no one here is worrying.”
In reply to journalists’ questions, the crew on board the vessels answered ‘forbidden’ or ‘not understand English’.
The skipper of one vessel did state that they were all fishing vessels but when asked ‘what fish?’ he promptly replied ‘not understand’.
Great article.