Hormuz Straight entity encounter — 1949-11-14

On 14 November 1949, J. R. Bodler, an inactive U.S. Naval Reserve commander aboard a merchant vessel bound for India, was called to the bridge after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The third mate had noticed a pulsating luminous band toward the Iranian coast. Binoculars showed that it lay in the water and was approaching the vessel. At about a mile’s distance, the pattern appeared circular, approximately 1,000–1,500 feet across. Curved streaks of phosphorescent light revolved counterclockwise around an indistinct center. For several minutes the ship occupied approximately the center as successive bands passed along both sides, illuminating portions of its upper structure. The pattern moved away to starboard and astern. A second, smaller manifestation followed, and about half an hour later a third, fainter example appeared. Bodler’s first-person account was published in the January 1952 U.S. Naval Institute Proceedings. It records calm water, good visibility, no moon and no abnormal magnetic-compass deviations. He regarded the event as a remarkable natural phenomenon, although he could not explain its organized motion. No solid wheel, submarine, aircraft or occupant was observed. The ledger’s entity and instrument-effect labels therefore exceed the actual testimony.