Red fireball identified as smoke pot

Summary

A witness spotted a red fireball entering the ocean 15 miles southeast of Ocean City, Maryland, on July 27, 1954. The object was observed for 15 minutes, with estimated speeds between 8 and 24 knots. Some witnesses claimed it traveled submerged, others on the surface. The Navy investigated and concluded it was a smoke pot used during a training exercise. The movement of smoke caused by wind explained the object's motion. No military or NASA activity accounted for the sighting. The case was closed without further investigation.