Red light and submarines in Long Island Sound

Summary

In December 1962, a ferry near Brooklyn, New York, reported a flashing red light and radar pips one mile from Little Gull Point in Long Island Sound. As the ferry approached, the object disappeared both visually and on radar. Later, a shore station confirmed the presence of two surfaced submarines nearby. It was verified that one of them was using a flashing light as a signal, explaining the sighting. Although other possibilities like balloons or aircraft were considered, the report concluded it was U.S. Navy submarines.

Declassified documents show how military and Coast Guard authorities investigated the incident. Several messages exchanged between units confirmed the presence of the submarines USS Bang and USS Blenney. The flashing red light was identified as a signaling device, and the radar detected them before they submerged. The case was closed after these facts were verified, leaving no room for supernatural interpretations. This incident is an example of how UFO reports often have conventional explanations, even though they generate curiosity and debate at the time.