Transcription
[Music] Hello, how's everyone doing? Um, my setup today is very different. For our 20th episode, I thought it would be cool if I did the podcast outside. Um, so I'm just trying to hold my microphone, and we'll see how it goes. The setup is not very comfortable, but that is totally fine because because I really wanted to have a Bermudian backdrop behind me because today, for our 20th episode, we will be talking about the Bermuda Triangle. So we will be discovering the myths, the mysteries, and the Bermudian perspective on the Bermuda Triangle.
So welcome to today's episode. I'm your friendly Bermudian English teacher, and I'm here to debunk and demystify some of the most popular beliefs of the Bermuda Triangle. So you know, unless you live under a rock, you have probably heard of the Bermuda Triangle. Um, and you've probably heard a lot of crazy stuff, and I'm here to talk about all of that crazy stuff. Behind me, you can see Harrington Sound, which is a little bay—a well, it's not that little, it's quite big in Bermuda—it's very beautiful. Um, and yes, I thought it would be appropriate to have some of Bermuda behind me while I talk about Bermuda. So yeah, as someone who was born and raised in Bermuda, I, like many Bermudians, have been asked about the Bermuda Triangle countless times. Um, it's like our national myth, you know, but is there really anything to worry about? Well, let's find out together.
So firstly, what is the Bermuda Triangle, and where is the Bermuda Triangle? So first, let's get our bearings; let's locate ourselves a little bit. The Bermuda Triangle is an area in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean. It's roughly—the points are roughly bounded by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, which form a triangle. So imagine like Bermuda is the sparkling diamond on the top of the triangle, and Miami is one corner, and then Puerto Rico is the other. So that is our Bermuda Triangle. It's a massive area of water; it covers um, an area of about 50—oh, sorry, no, 500,000 square miles. I don't know what that is in meters or kilometers, so if you don't understand miles, maybe it's a good time to Google that. So 500,000 square miles; it's a very busy region for shipping and air traffic. So it's no wonder that a lot of stories um have emerged within the triangle over the years because it is such a large area of water. I'm not really sure why they decided to call it the Bermuda Triangle, um, but yes, there are three points, and Bermuda is just one of them, but they decided to call it the Bermuda Triangle. Okay, my microphone is getting very heavy, so I'm just leaning against this glass; hopefully, I don't fall. Also, if you are primarily um an audio listener on Spotify, I highly recommend switching over to YouTube and checking out this video because it's worth it for the view, and it's worth it for me struggling with my microphone. So please come and watch the video if you normally just listen to the podcast.
Okay, let's dive into segment two: theories and possible causes. This is a very long segment because there are a lot of theories. I am not talking about all of them today; I'm just going to talk about some of them. So let's take a deep dive into the theories that try to explain the so-called mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle. While some theories are rooted in science, others are just pure speculation, but I think all of them are pretty fascinating in their own way. So the first theory is Gulf Stream currents. So the Gulf Stream is a powerful warm ocean current that flows from the Gulf of Mexico through the Straits of Florida and along the Eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland. It moves at a speed of about 2.5 m/s, which is fast enough to carry a floating object or a disabled ship far off course in a relatively short amount of time. So let me tell you a little story. Let's go back in time. In December 1945, a flight of five Navy Avenger—sure, five Navy Avenger bombers—Avenger, why did I—I'm an English teacher, and sometimes I can't even speak my own language—Avenger bombers known as 19 took off from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a routine training mission. So the Navy was basically doing a training mission, flying some planes. Shortly after, the flight leader reported that his compass wasn't working and that they were lost. Despite multiple attempts to navigate, they were never seen again. Some experts believe that the planes could have been caught in the strong currents of the Gulf Stream, which carried them away from their intended flight path, making rescue efforts almost impossible. So basically, really strong winds could blow planes off course. That doesn't happen anymore; most of these stories are from quite a long time ago when technology wasn't as advanced as it is now. So don't worry, it's perfectly safe to fly in a plane.
Um, let's talk a little bit about why this theory might make some sense. The Gulf Stream's power is often underestimated, and ships and planes encountering mechanical failure or becoming disoriented in bad weather could easily be swept far from their expected locations, and that makes them difficult to find um in search efforts. So you know, like they just get blown off course, and then if they also have like a mechanical failure, it's almost impossible to find them. Theory number two: unpredictable weather patterns. So the Bermuda Triangle is situated in an area that's really prone to sudden and severe weather changes: thunderstorms, um, we have yearly hurricanes, we have a hurricane season normally in September, and waterspouts, which are like tornadoes but over the water, are very common in the Bermuda Triangle. So these storms can arise quickly and without very much warning, especially in the summer months because that—that humid, hot weather is when storms form most easily. Don't ask me why; I'm not like a meteorologist, but I just know that. So let me tell you another story. In October 1954, the crew of the SS Sandra, a freighter plane—which means they carry freight, so like they carry cargo, basically big items that go in a plane—a freighter carrying 300 t tons of insecticide—that means um poison to kill insects—so um, they're carrying 300 tons of insecticide from Savannah to Puerto Rico; they encountered rough weather shortly after leaving port. The ship—oh, sorry, it's not a plane, it's a ship, SS Sandra, duh, stupid Gemma, sorry—the ship was never heard from again. Meteorologists later confirmed that a hurricane had developed rapidly in the area, which could have easily sunk the ship before it could even send a distress signal. So this theory makes a lot of sense because even today, weather forecasting is not perfect, and sudden storms can surprise even the most experienced sailors and pilots, you know. So the Bermuda Triang—the Berm—let's try that again—the Bermuda Triangle's unique geography contributes—we got it—woo—contributes to these unpredictable weather patterns, making it a natural hazard zone. Okay, I promise I'm going to get it together, and I'm going to read the next theory perfectly.
Theory number three: magnetic anomalies. Sorry, some believe that the Bermuda Triangle is home to strange magnetic anomalies that interfere with navigation instruments, especially compasses, because obviously compasses work magnetically. I think the Earth's magnetic fields can vary slightly in different places, but in rare cases, these variations can cause serious navigational errors. So in March 1918, the USS Cyclops, a massive Navy fuel ship uh, with over 300 crew members on board, just completely vanished without a trace on a voyage from Brazil to Baltimore. Before disappearing, the ship sent a message that it was experiencing compass issues. Some speculate that the Cyclops could have encountered a magnetic anomaly that led it off course, um, which contributed to its mysterious disappearance, but I guess we will never know, like many of these mysteries and these disappeared planes; they were just never found, which, for me, is like so frustrating. I hate when things go missing, like planes or ships, and then they just—there's just no trace of them; it's like that's crazy to me, but I guess also these happened quite a long time in the past, so maybe the rescue efforts were a little bit different than they are today. So this theory makes sense because um, large magnetic anomalies are rare, um, but even a small deviation in compass readings can cause a huge amount of confusion, especially in the days before GPS. Now, of course, we use satellite, and we have like electronic machines, and you know, but back in the day, they just used compasses. Um, so in the open ocean, even a small navigational error can lead to a disaster if a ship or plane ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Theory number four is something that um, if you go to the BUI in Bermuda—the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, BUI—they have a really cool um, it's kind of like a museum, and they have a really cool um, what's the word—exhibition where they—it's all about the Bermuda Triangle and and the different theories, and they talk a lot about this um theory that I'm going to discuss in a second, and they have a really cool like thing—like a cylinder with bubbles and a boat floating on the top, and when you press the button, all the bubbles make the boat move, and it really demonstrates clearly this theory. So I don't know if I explain that well, but I like museums that have interactive stuff like that because I'm a very like visual learner. So if you're ever in Bermuda and you're interested in the Bermuda Triangle, definitely visit BUI. Okay, so what the heck am I talking about? The theory is underwater methane hydrates. By the way, you can pronounce this word methane or methane; I'm going to say methane. Another fascinating theory involves underwater methane hydrates. Essentially, they are large deposits of methane gas that get trapped in the sea floor. When these deposits destabilize, they can release massive amounts of gas, which rapidly rushes to the surface of the water. This can reduce the water's density, and it can cause ships to sink rapidly and even create explosive bursts that can take down aircraft. So imagine a ship is just sitting on the surface of the water, and then like a massive burst of gas happens, and that breaks up the water density, so the ships just get pulled down, and also when the gas explodes, that could even reach really high heights and take down an airplane. I don't think that this has ever been proven, but it is an interesting theory. So my little story, it says exactly that—this um, there's no direct evidence linking a specific disappearance to this phenomenon, um, but in 2009, researchers discovered that methane hydrate destabilizations have occurred off of the coast of Norway, where ships have reportedly vanished under mysterious circumstances, and if a similar event were to happen in the Bermuda Triangle, it could potentially—I cannot speak today—potentially—potential—I'm so sorry—it could potentially explain some of the unexplained vanishings.
Okay, you know what I think I need to do? I just need to put down my microphone for literally 0.5 seconds so I can take a sip of water because I am hot, and I think my brain is melting, and that's why I keep messing up my words. So just give me—give me five seconds. Okay, one second. Okay, I'm just putting down my microphone. Count to five, and I'll be back. Sorry, that was probably longer than 5 seconds. Okay, so why does this theory make sense? They are rare, but methane hydrate eruptions are a known geological phenomenon, and if one occurred under a ship or a plane, it could easily lead to a sudden and catastrophic loss, explaining why there was no time to even send a distress signal. Our last theory—oh, sorry, not our last theory. Theory number five is human error and miscommunication. So you know, sometimes the simplest explanation is the most likely, and the Bermuda Triangle is a very heavily trafficked area with numerous islands and shifting currents. So navigational errors, miscommunication, or simple human mistakes can easily lead to tragedies, especially in the pre-GPS era. So in 1963, the Marine Sulphur Queen, a tanker ship carrying molten sulfur—wow, that's like melted sulfur—disappeared off the coast of Florida. Investigations later suggested that the ship was poorly maintained; it had structural weaknesses that could have led to its sinking. Human error, both in navigation and in ship maintenance, may have played a significant role in the loss of this ship. So yeah, that makes sense, you know. Human error is inevitable, and it's a part of any high-risk occupation, like sailors and pilots and things like that, and the ocean is one of the most unforgiving environments on earth. Like, the ocean is so unpredictable and so powerful. So in the Bermuda Triangle, where the weather is already very unstable and unpredictable, even a small mistake can have fatal consequences.
Unfortunately, my favorite type of theory is up next: alien and paranormal theories. I love a good alien story. So you know, this is one of the more out-there theories—more crazy theories. Some people believe that the Bermuda Triangle is a hotbed of paranormal activity, including UFO sightings and even time warps. These theories suggest that aliens might be abducting ships and planes or that strange forces in the triangle caused them to vanish into other dimensions. In 1967, a yacht named Witchcraft disappeared just one mile off the coast of Miami. The captain had radioed the Coast Guard, reporting that they'd hit something, but they weren't in any immediate danger. When the Coast Guard arrived 19 minutes later, there was no trace of the boat or its crew. Theories abound, including one suggesting that the Witchcraft had been taken by something otherworldly. So obviously, there's no scientific evidence to support these theories; they capture the imagination for sure. People are drawn to the unknown, and the Bermuda Triangle's mysteries make it the perfect backdrop for tales of the unexplained. So you know, whether you lean towards the more scientific explanations or the more fantastic ones, the Bermuda Triangle really offers a rich tapestry of stories and theories, and it's a place where the lines between fact and fiction are kind of blurry. Um, so I think it's a really true mystery of the sea, and you know, as any Bermudian will tell you, the real Bermuda Triangle is nothing to fear. Um, it's just another part of our beautiful ocean, and you know, it has its challenges and weather issues, but it's beautiful, and yeah, a lot of Bermudians—I think the majority of Bermudians—don't really believe in the Bermuda Triangle.
So let's bust some myths. What's the truth? You know, many of these stories are just that—they're just stories. The US Coast Guard and countless other experts have looked into the supposed mysteries and found no evidence that this area of the ocean is any more dangerous than anywhere else in the ocean, and most disappearances can be explained by human error, equipment failure, or just bad luck with the weather. But it's much more fun to think that the Bermuda Triangle is a place where the ordinary rules of the world don't apply. So I'm going to give you the Bermudian perspective. As a Bermudian, I have flown through the Bermuda Triangle more times than I can count, and I'm still here to tell the tale. So you know, every time Bermudians come home or tourists visit the island, you have to fly right through the triangle to get here. Um, and I can't tell you how many times people have asked me if I'm worried about the Bermuda Triangle when I travel, and my answer is always the same: not at all. So you know, if the Bermuda Triangle were as dangerous as people said, I would probably be recording this podcast from the bottom of the ocean right now. So you know, most Bermudians will tell—tell you that the Bermuda Triangle is nothing to be worried about. Um, it's more of a tourist attraction than a real threat, but we love the legends, and we know better than to take them seriously. So if you ever find yourself uh visiting Bermuda, feel free to fly through the triangle; you will be perfectly safe; you have my word as a Bermudian. The only thing that you will need to worry about is trying to get the perfect picture of the turquoise water from the plane. That's my favorite part—part of coming home. I always try to get um a window seat on the plane so I can film—it's really beautiful landing in Bermuda, actually. Behind me, you can't see the airport, but you might see some planes because this is the flight path, and I see planes taking off and landing all day and in the evening too. Um, so yeah, it's really beautiful coming onto the island and um landing in the plane because you get a really, really cool view when you come in. Um, it's pretty scary because it looks like you're going to land in the ocean, but uh, you don't, so that's good.
So let's um have a look at—oh, did we already do this? Hold on. Oh yeah, I just wanted to quickly mention like pop culture because I think something that contributes a lot to the ongoing stories and fear surrounding the Bermuda Triangle is like movies and TV shows. They really love to dramatize the Bermuda Triangle, and we get it; it makes for great storytelling, but in reality, it's—it's literally just another part of the ocean. Like, if you think about it, if you look at any massive part of the ocean, you're going to find like things are going to happen there because like the ocean is crazy, you know. So like, I don't know why the Bermuda Triangle got such a reputation for itself, but it's—it's the same amount of danger level as the rest of the ocean. Um, you know, I think the myths kind of stick around because the unknown is exciting to people, um, but I think just deep down we all like a little mystery, and we like to believe that there are things in the world that can't be fully explained, and I'm a huge believer of this. Like, I think there are definitely many, many things that we don't know and that will never be explained, and that's part of the beauty of just being like human—like we don't know everything; we're always learning more, and those mysteries are super interesting. But I truly believe that, you know, the Bermuda Triangle is just a piece of the ocean where some bad stuff happened, unfortunately.
So the next time you hear someone talk about the Bermuda Triangle, you can just say that you have the inside scoop because you know a Bermudian English teacher who told you all about it. Um, it's a fantastic—no, it's a fascinating story with a lot of layers, but at the end of the day, it's just a story. Um, so I'm just here to remind you that it's safe. Bermuda is safe, beautiful, and you should definitely come and visit, um, but do not be afraid of the triangle. If you guys enjoyed today's episode, please share it with a friend. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel. Um, also go and follow me on Spotify. What else? What else? If you're interested in lessons, visit englishwith.com, and yeah, that's pretty much it. Until next time, I will—I don't know what I'm saying—until next time, that's it. No, no, no, I was gonna try and make a Bermuda Triangle joke; I was gonna be like, "Try not to get lost in the Triangle," but then I realized how bad of a dad joke it was, so just forget I was going to say anything before I embarrass myself any further. Until next time, goodbye. [Music] [Music] [Music]