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The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the “Devil's Triangle,” is a three-sided region in the Atlantic Ocean that has attracted the attention of many conspiracy theorists from its many mysteries. This area has been made famous by ships and airplanes vanishing from thin air. One of the most notable conspiracies is the disappearance of Captain Robert Lindquist (“The DC-3 and UFOs”.). Popularized by the media, many theories have been made about his mysterious disappearance. These stories can go as far as alien intervention, time warps in space, and the government interfering with this area. The mysterious disappearance of Flight 19 can be explained by natural causes and human error despite what the media portrays.

One of the greater mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle revolves around Flight 19. Lt. Charles C Taylor was the commanding officer for Flight 19, which disappeared on December 5th, 1945 (McElhiney, Allan). Lt. Charles C Taylor, was a combat veteran with approximately 2,500 flight hours (The loss of Flight 19).  He was part of Task Force 18, in the Pacific Theater (Charles Carroll Taylor 1917-1945). In addition, he was part of  “Acorn 36, NAS Miami Opa Locka and Squadron 79” (Charles Carroll Taylor 1917-1945). After WWII, Taylor "served as a flight instructor," in Fort Lauderdale (Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum). His role as flight instructor led him to be on Flight 19, into his ill fated mission. Lt. Taylor’s military experience made him a brave commander, but his seriousness may have led to a tragic outcome of Flight 19.  

Lt. Charles C Taylor served mostly in WWII, and all his combat experience could have made him a serious person. This quality possibly made him an effective commander, but it could as well have contributed to a difficult approach in the cockpit during Flight 19’s disappearance. His final transmission emphasizes his way of thought, “All planes close up tight . . . we’ll have to ditch unless landfall . . . when the first plane drops below ten gallons, we all go down together” (National Archives and Records Administration). This transmission shows insight to his commitment to staying in control until the end. The consequences of his serious demeanor could have impacted the way the crew members handled the situation which may have led to many errors. All these errors can be catastrophic on their own, since the plane could run out of fuel; as well as the improper choices made by Lt. Taylor to stay in control. 

As a U.S. Navy pilot, Taylor was known for his seriousness and took his role seriously in Fort Lauderdale. His disciplined and meticulous nature made him an effective leader, but it may have contributed to his handling of the errors that occurred during Flight 19's ill-fated mission. Captain Taylor remained in control, and challenged his way trying to find his way back to Ft. Lauderale, which had no success (National Archives and Records Administration). His commitment to staying in control, and his seriousness may be valuable in other situations, but on the flight it may have caused their doom.

Although Flight 19 and its crew did not make it to tell the events that unfolded, the bravery of Lt. Taylor was ultimately present. Even though, "the various pilots argued over the direction" of the flight, he remained calm since he was just the flight instructor (National Archives and Records Administration). Captain Edward Powers was supposed to be in charge, but Lt. Taylor remained in control due to his knowledge from previous training missions (National Archives and Records Administration). As the flight continued Taylor, "continued to see what he was used to when conductions missions out of Miami," (McElhiney, Allan).  His composure remained steadily throughout the coming hours. As the final transmission went out, Taylor was there relying on his skill and knowledge motivated by this bravery to help his crew survive the fighting experience. This allowed Taylor to achieve the best outcome for his crew, given the circumstances.

Lt. Taylor’s bravery and seriousness were vital in leading his crew during Flight 19’s ill-fated mission. However, his dedication to staying in control may have clouded his judgment at a critical moment, ultimately contributing to the tragic outcome.

The mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle extend from simple ideas from CIA intervention to far fetched ideas to alien abduction. One theory suggests that aliens were involved in the abduction of Flight 19. As well as in the mysterious disappearance of Captain Robert Lindquist and his crew. Another theory suggests that the government was involved through secret experiments. Whether both Lt. Taylor and Captain Linduist disappeared through mysterious circumstances, or human error; the question still remains, what happened.

The mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle range from far-fetched ideas, such as alien abduction, to simpler theories: a government experiment gone wrong. One theory suggests that aliens were involved in the abduction of Flight 19 (Witzenburg). Aliens are suspected to be the reason Captain Robert Lindquist and his crew went missing. Another theory suggests that the government was involved through secret experiments. Whether both Lt. Taylor and Captain Linduist disappeared through mysterious circumstances, or human error, the question still remains: what really happened?

Government intervention is a conspiracy theory that has been constructed in an attempt to explain the “supernatural” (Witzenburg). Flight 19 disappeared around the same time WWII ended, and when the “Cold War” started. Subliminal Distraction is a phenomenon that the United States government was trying to research (1). This can give off signs that are perceived as a mental illness. Lt. Taylor was believed to have mental issues similar to “Subliminal Distraction” before his mother, “Katherine Taylor, was successful in exonerating him of wrong,” to pardon her son from the death of his crew (McElhiney). The government may have sent Lt. Taylor out as an experiment gone wrong. Some might argue that this theory is all over the place, and that it makes no sense as to why the government may have been researching this condition. Logically, the United States may have been trying to discover a new technological or physiological advancement for warfare. Rising conflicts with the Soviets kept Americans at the edge of their seats, and a breakthrough in this could have been revolutionary. 

On the contrary, a more popular theory that explains the disappearance of Flight 19 extends to aliens. Many believe an alien abduction has taken place in the mysterious disappearance. This theory received large amounts of attention and may explain why no traces were ever found, and why all search efforts ended in failure. Lt. Taylor and his crew may have suddenly met foreign entities on an unidentified flying object (Flight 19: EBSCO). Some will argue this theory, and say that the flight disappeared from human error along with mechanical errors that happened as the flight progressed. It was recorded through the radio transmissions that, “Both of my compasses are out” (National Archives and Records Administration). While they might be correct about mechanical error, there is no explanation to the missing debris or remains or the plane and its crew. Frank Dailey recalled how, “they plowed up and down the whole coast of Florida, looking for wreckage but we never saw a thing.”

Flight 19 was not the only plane to be brought up in mysterious alien disappearances. DC-3, also known as Douglas DST-144 disappeared December 28th, 1948 (DC-3, UFO’s & the Bermuda Triangle). The commercial flight was never found, nor has there been any signs of an explanation. Many assumed the plane had crashed but no remains were found of the aircraft (1). Captain Robert had radioed into the control tower moments before disappearing out of a radar saying, “We can see the lights of  Miami now. All's well.” With no witness to tell the tale of what happened, nothing but speculations will exist for rational answers. No wreckage was ever found for either vessel, no leads have been found about the missing aircrafts, and unfortunately, no bodies have been found or returned. 

These are only the tip of the iceberg for conspiracies surrounding the Bermuda Triangle, yet they leave you with more questions than answers. Whether aliens really took Flight 19 and the crew, or time warps in space took the DC-3, remains a mystery. The answers we need will continue to be a missing puzzle piece that might never be found. 

The Bermuda Triangle remains one of the most intriguing places on Earth that captivates the imagination of many, from the brave and tragic decisions made by Lt. Taylor during Flight 19 to the strange and mysterious disappearance of Captain Robert Lindquist. The Devil's Triangle blurs from reality to the unknown. While alien abductions and secret government experiments may be interesting, human error and mechanical failure can explain and offer a counterbalance. Until solid evidence such as the found wreckage of both airships are found, the Bermuda Triangle remains a symbol of mystery.

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Works Cited

“Charles Carroll Taylor (1917–1945) - Find a Grave.” Find a Grave, www.findagrave.com/m emorial 7071436/charles_carroll-taylor. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

“DC-3, UFO’s & the Bermuda Triangle.” Dc3ufo, www.douglasdc3.com/dc3ufo/dc3ufo.htm. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

Ehrlich, Allison. “#TBT: How Corpus Christi Family’s Tragedy Started the Lore of the Bermuda Triangle.” Corpus Christi Caller-Times, 12 Jan. 2023, www.caller.com/story/news/special -reports/building-our-future/throwback/2023/01/12/how-a-corpus-christi-family-was-tied-to-lore-of-the-bermuda-triangle/69796696007/.

“Flight 19: EBSCO.” EBSCO Information Services, Inc., www.ebsco.com/research-starters /military-history-and-science/flight-19#:~:text=Flight%2019%20was%20often%20cited,unknown%E2%80%9D%20to%20avoid%20blaming%20Taylor. Accessed 03 Apr. 2025.

McElhiney, Allan. “Flight 19 the Lost Avengers.” Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, www.nasflmuseum.com/flight-19.html. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

McElhiney, Allan. “Taylor.” Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum, www.nasflmuseum. com/taylor.html. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.

National Archives and Records Administration. “‘Uncertain as to in What Position Lay the Peninsula of Florida’: The Official Record and the Loss of Flight 19.” National Archives and Records Administration, 16 Oct. 2017, prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2017/10/16/uncertain-as-to-in-what-position-lay-the-peninsula-of-florida-the-official-record-and-the-loss-of-flight-19/. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

The Disappearance of Flight 19 Shows Evidence of Subliminal Distraction. www.visionan   dpsychosis.net/Flight19.htm?utm_source. Accessed 03 Apr. 2025.

The Loss of Flight 19. U.S. Navy, www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/disasters-and-ph enomena/flight-19.html. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Witzenburg, Frankie. “The Mysterious Disappearance of Flight 19.” U.S. Naval Institute, 29 Apr. 2024, www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2021/october/mysterious-disapp earance-flight-19.

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