box Incident Summaries 173-233

INCIDENT SUMMARY SHEET Incident No. 176a 1. Date and Time of Observation: 23 Sept 48 Approx 1230 2. Where Sighted: Castro's Ranch - 4 miles due east of San Pablo, Calif & 4.1 miles south of Pinole, Calif. 3. Observer's Position: ground (i.e., ground, air, control tower, etc.) 4. Name and Address of Observer: Mr Sylvester Benthem, 2655 Dam Road Richmond, Calif. 5. Occupation and/or hobbies: retired butcher 6. Attention Attracted by: Col Mekins calling his attention to the object 7. Number of Object(s) Seen: 1 8. Size of Object(s): Appeared from observer's viewpoint to be 2 inches by 1 inch by 1 inch. 9. Color of Object(s): Buff or gray in color 10. Shape (Sketch if Possible): rectangular outline with sharp corners (See attached drawing) 11. Nature of Luminosity: N/S (directed beam of light?) 12. Altitude of Object: Very high (estimated) 13. Estimated Distance of Object from Observer: N/S 14. Estimated Speed of Object: faster than any plane he had ever seen 15. Time in Sight: At least 3 minutes 16. Tactics: horizontal flight 17. Sound Made by Object(s): no noise 18. Direction of Flight of Object(s): northwest then turned north 19. Apparent Construction: Seemed to be covered with a translucent material 20. Effect on Clouds: N/S 21. Exhaust Trail Color of): Left no exhaust or trail 22. Manner of Disappearance: flew out of sight gradually fading from view. 23. Weather Conditions at Time of Sighting: N/S 24. Peculiarities Noted: Seemed like a vegetable crate flying thru the air 25. Summary of Incident: (over) (See attached page)