Everything Bahamian

The Bermuda Triangle has long intrigued and mystified scientists and enthusiasts with its reputation for mysterious disappearances and supernatural theories. This infamous region, despite its name, encompasses a significant portion of The Bahamas and has been the subject of speculation and controversy for over a century.

Among the areas that have become intertwined in its lore is The Bahamas, particularly the region of Bimini. This area has garnered attention due to its mysterious connections with the Bermuda Triangle and the numerous theories that have emerged from this association.

Bimini Road

Bimini Road is a fascinating underwater stone formation located near North Bimini. This formation consists of a series of stones that stretch approximately 1,500 feet in a straight alignment. It is believed that this was part of a road system of the Lost City of Atlantis. Most scientists dismiss Bimini Road as a natural geological formation but Bermuda Triangle conspiracy theorists believe that Bimini is the location of a energy vortex. In John Bell's article “The Bimini Vortex: Snorkeling Adventure at the End of the World” Bell states that in Bimini exists a “mysterious vortex where sometimes electronics fail, compasses spin and dolphins seem extra-friendly.”

The SS Sapona and Flight 19

The SS Sapona has also been tied into Bermuda Triangle theories. The Sapona has lived many lives from originally being built as a cargo steamer to being sold, stripped of its engine, and then towed to Bimini to be used as a floating warehouse for rum and whisky during Prohibition. In 1926 the Sapona ran aground on a reef in Bimini but that wasn’t the end of her story, during the Second World War the wreckage was used for target practice by the Air Force and Navy. On December 5th, 1945 after a bombing run a squadron of five Avenger bombers including 14 Naval Aviators disappeared after a practice bombing, never to be seen again.13 crew members of the Martin PBM Mariner launched a search for the squadron but they also went missing.

Photo credit Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum

According to the U.S. Naval Institutes, one of the pilots sent a radio message stating “ I don’t know where we are. We must have gotten lost after that last turn.” On the same recording, Lieutenant Taylor can be heard saying, “Both my compasses are out, and I am trying to find Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am over land, but it’s broken. I am sure I'm in the Keys, but I don’t know how far down and I don’t know how to get to Fort Lauderdale.”

It is a bit odd that while flying over what may have likely been Bimini a trained Pilot with the Air Force and Navy, coupled with thousands of hours of flight time under his belt got lost and couldn't find Fort Lauderdale, a place they flew out of many times.

This leads me to my next point of alleged “time jumping” experiences in The Bahamas.

“Time Jump” conspiracies

Pilots flying over The Bahamas have recounted experiences during flying that mimic “time jumping” or time traveling. It has been suggested that there are areas in The Bahamas that are electromagnetic hotspots with portals capable of manipulating time.

In 1970 Pilot Bruce Gernon flew through the heart of what he believes to be a time tunnel vortex and survived. In the video shared he recreates his flight and recants the story of flying from Andros into Miami. After taking off from Andros, Gernon flew through a “cloud tunnel” with intense lightning. After re-emerging through the tunnel he received a radio from the radar controller stating that he was directly over Miami Beach which meant he traveled 100 miles in 3 minutes. Something his small plane was incapable of. The passenger's watches were also set back 20 minutes once they landed. Gernon believed he saw the fabric of time during his flight over The Bahamas.

Although there are many theories of supernatural causes for these disappearances, Time jumps and paranormal occurrences scientists still believe that geophysical and environmental factors are most likely responsible for what most would deem the impossible.

Video Credits - History Network’s Ancient Aliens episode “Earth’s Black Holes”