Numerous years ago while bottom fishing in my 12' Sears Gamefisher (powered
by a 9 1/2 Johnson) off of the breakwater in Rockport, MA. I sighted a
strange saucer-like object coming out of the sky. I was taken aboard and
interrogated, they soon realized there was a complete lack of intelligence
and returned me to my boat. Upon my return to shore I contacted the Coast
Guard and they "claimed" to have picked up nothing on radar. Ever since then
I have been under the watch of mysterious people driving black limo's and
black helicopters.

Oh yeah, there was a trawler nearby when I was returned, no Japanese aboard
though.

On a more relevant note, I grew up in Gloucester, MA. I can remember on boat
she was named "Paper Doll". My friends and I used to be in awe whenever she
cruised through the Annisquam. Anyone on the list have any knowledge of her?
I did go fishing all the time in Ipswich Bay in my Gamefisher, when I think
on it now it's a miracle my friends and I survived those years, but would
redo it all in a heartbeat. I'm sure the Coast Guard appreciated us finally
growing up.

Toby Borge
M/V Brenda Jean
Rainier, OR

In response to Bob Austins quirey about strange things in the sky, I can
relate the following story that happened to me back in 1977.  When I was
working as a Controller at Santa Barbara Airport and was living down in
Oxnard, CA.  I owned a Cessna and used to fly from Oxnard up to Santa
Barbara everyday to work.  This flight would usually take me about 7 miles
offshore if I flew a rumbline course.  One afternoon when I was flying the
rumbline at about 6,000 ft my peripheral vision picked up an object
approaching my flightline at an altitude just a few feet below mine and on a
left to right trajectory, ie. from offshore headed inland.  I estimated it
to be traveling at about 300-400 mph and I got a very VERY close look at it
as it whizzed by.  It appeared to be about 20 feet long, maybe two to three
feet in diameter and had short stubby wings.  I had never seen anything like
it in my life.  But, whatever it was it came way too close!  I immediately
contacted Pt. Mugu Naval airstation who had radar control responsibility for
the area and reported the incident (Mugu was also the controlling agency for
the Naval training range immediately offshore).  I described exactly what
had occurred and asked them if they had any knowledge of what this thing
could have been and where it could have been headed.  Naturally, they denied
any knowledge of anything.  It wasn't until sometime later that I became
aware of the existance of Cruise Missiles and realized after seeing a
picture of one that it was in fact a Cruise Missile with which I had the
close encounter.  Obvioulsy it had to have been launched from a ship and I
assume was aimed at some inland target.  You would think that they would
have conducted such tests only in restricted airspace!  This thing could
have ruined my whole day if it had been at just a slightly higher altitude!

Jim Alexander
M/V Emily Rose
43 Vista