Shirley’s Bay

Shirley’s Bay, located outside Ottawa, Ontario has been associated with UFO and alien activity, particularly in the early 1950s. A government-initiated research program, known as Project Magnet, was established in 1950 to study UFO sightings. An observatory was constructed at Shirley’s Bay for this purpose. The facility was Canada’s first and only UFO-tracking facility, equipped with instruments such as a gamma-ray counter, a magnetometer, a radio receiver, and a cluster of antennae, intended to measure physical characteristics believed to be emitted by UFOs​​​​.

The idea behind using this array of detection equipment was to capture a broad spectrum of physical evidence that could corroborate the presence of an unidentified flying object by revealing anomalies in radiation, magnetic fields, or radio signals. However, the efficacy of this approach depends on the assumption that UFOs would indeed emit such detectable signals.

1. Gamma-ray counter: This device detects gamma rays, which are a form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation. The presence of unexpected gamma radiation could suggest the occurrence of high-energy processes not typical of earthly sources.
2. Magnetometer: This instrument measures the strength and direction of magnetic fields. A UFO might be hypothesized to generate a magnetic field that differs from the Earth’s natural geomagnetic field, either due to its construction or its propulsion system.
3. Radio receiver: It can detect a wide range of radio frequencies. UFOs, if they were to communicate or had any operating systems emitting radio waves, could be detectable by a sensitive radio receiver scanning for unusual signals not attributable to known human sources.
4. Cluster of antennae: An array of antennae can be used to detect and triangulate electromagnetic signals across multiple frequencies. They could potentially pick up any anomalous signals in the atmosphere that might be emitted by a UFO, including those not within the standard communication bands.

Wilbert B. Smith, a senior radio engineer with the Department of Transport, was the driving force behind Project Magnet. He believed that UFOs emitted detectable physical characteristics and could be scientifically studied. The observatory was set up in October 1952, and several UFO sighting reports were investigated during its operation.

Smith stoked interest in UFOs by claiming that in 1952, during a peak in UFO sightings, the U.S. Air Force recovered a piece of a UFO shot near Washington, D.C., and loaned a piece of it to him.

His growing conviction that UFOs were extraterrestrial led to bad publicity, and consequently, the Department of Transport decided to shut down Project Magnet in 1954​​​​.

Smith continued his research into gravity, presenting in 1959 that gravity is a derived function and claiming that experiments had verified the creation of artificial gravity and the potential to alter Earth’s gravitational field.

Wilbert B. Smith continued his gravity research after the closure of Project Magnet and presented at the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Canadian Regional Conference. In this presentation, Smith claimed that gravity is a ‘derived function’ and that it is possible to control gravity. He stated that experiments had verified the creation of ‘artificial’ gravity and the alteration of Earth’s gravitational field. Smith asserted that both of these objectives had been accomplished, indicating significant advancements in his research.

Moreover, it was reported by the Project Magnet laboratory at Shirley’s Bay that it found what it was looking for, which was suggested to be a flying saucer. This contributed to the site’s reputation as a magnet for UFO activity. Nonetheless, the facility was closed after these findings or the activity was classified as Top Secret​ and no longer shared with the public​.

There is an actual sign at the entrance to Shirley’s Bay Campus is located at 3701 Carling Avenue in Ottawa. This site houses several government and research entities under the auspices of the Canadian Government. Notable occupants include the Communications Research Centre Canada, the Certification and Engineering Bureau, and the Business Development and Information Technology Services. Also listed are the National Capital Institute of Telecommunications, Defence R&D Canada – Ottawa, the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre, and the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit. These organizations suggest a focus on telecommunications, defense research and development, certification, engineering, and IT services, indicating a hub of scientific and technological activity.

Canada has an organization that serves a similar purpose to the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which is Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC). DRDC is described as Canada’s equivalent of DARPA and is involved in various defense research and development projects, including the creation of advanced technology. Additionally, there has been an initiative to establish a Canada Advanced Research Projects Agency (CARPA). This agency would act as a bridge between public and private research and help develop and maintain Canadian-led technology and capabilities in high-impact areas.

Shirley’s Bay Campus, particularly the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC), has been pivotal in several technological advancements:

1. Alouette 1 Satellite: Canada’s first satellite, largely designed, built, and tested at the CRC’s Shirley’s Bay Campus, was launched in 1962. It played a crucial role in space research and telecommunications.
2. ARPANET Connection: CRC hosted the first international terrestrial connection to ARPANET, which was the precursor to the modern Internet.
3. Optical Fibre Photosensitivity Discovery: This discovery at CRC led to the establishment of high-speed Internet and helped grow Canada’s optical communications industry.
4. Digital Television Standard: CRC’s research and testing were instrumental in the adoption of the digital television standard in North America.
5. TV Broadcasting Loudness Control Standards: CRC’s research contributed to new standards for controlling loudness in TV broadcasting.
6. Big Data Analytics Centre: Opened in 2017, it’s a state-of-the-art research lab aimed at performing cutting-edge research with advanced visualization tools​​​​.
7. Software Defined Radio (SDR): CRC has worked on SDR technology, which allows radios to alter their operation mode through software rather than hardware, a significant innovation in radio technology​​.

The SHARP (Stationary High Altitude Relay Platform) project, developed by the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) and built by the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies (UTIAS) during the 1980s, was a successful experimental venture. This unique aircraft was powered by microwaves provided from a ground station, which fueled electric motors to keep the aircraft aloft and powered its onboard electronics. The SHARP was designed to function as a low-altitude communications satellite, covering smaller geographical areas.

The project achieved a significant milestone with its maiden flight on September 17, 1987, at the CRC. The system functioned as intended, with the aircraft being launched by batteries and then capturing power from a 1 kW broadcaster shortly after takeoff. The initial 20-minute flight was extended to over an hour by October 5.

The “Guardian Case” refers to a well-known UFO encounter that occurred a few kilometers west of Shirley’s Bay, approximately 35 years after the establishment of Project Magnet. This incident took place near Carp, Ontario.

In 2009, a mysterious event near the Ottawa River at the Champlain Bridge garnered considerable local attention. This was known as The Ottawa River UFO Incident of 2009. Dozens of witnesses reported an object flashing across the sky and crashing into the river, accompanied by a thunderous explosion.

Military Helicopters from the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in nearby Trenton participated in this operation. This led to a large-scale search operation involving sonar and underwater cameras. An object was located about thirty feet below the water’s surface, but its nature remained uncertain. The incident, marked by the mysterious object and the lack of missing aircraft reports, remains unexplained to this day.

These stories of UFO and alien activity at Shirley’s Bay reflect a time when there was significant interest and government support for the scientific investigation of unexplained aerial phenomena in Canada.