Philadelphia Experiment
An alleged secret U.S. Navy experiment in 1943 that supposedly rendered the USS Eldridge invisible, with catastrophic consequences for the crew.
Documented record
Known Facts
The story first emerged in the 1950s from correspondence with a man named Carlos Allende.
The USS Eldridge (DE-173) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort commissioned in 1943.
The ship's deck log shows it was in port in New York on the claimed experiment dates.
The story involves theories about unified field theory and electromagnetic camouflage.
No official Navy records support the experiment's occurrence.
Supporting claims & documentation
Evidence For
Carlos Allende Letters (1950s)
TESTIMONYAllende claimed to be a witness and described crew members phasing through the ship.
SOURCE:Letters to Morris K. Jessup
Morris K. Jessup's 'The Case for the UFO' Annotations
SECONDARY SOURCEUFO researcher Jessup received annotated copies of his book allegedly from those involved.
SOURCE:Personal correspondence records
Counterpoints & criticisms
Evidence Against
USS Eldridge Deck Logs
PRIMARY SOURCEOfficial Navy logs place the Eldridge in New York harbor, not Philadelphia, on the claimed experiment dates.
SOURCE:U.S. Navy Historical Center
Allende's Credibility Issues
ANALYSISCarlos Allende (Carl M. Allen) had a history of fabricating stories and was assessed as unreliable.
SOURCE:Navy investigation records
No Crew Corroboration
ANALYSISInterviews with USS Eldridge crew members found no one who recalled such an experiment.
SOURCE:Various investigations
Unresolved inquiries
Open Questions
Why did the story persist for so long if it has no evidentiary basis?
What motivated Carlos Allende to fabricate such a detailed story?
Was the story inspired by real (but less dramatic) degaussing experiments?
How did the Philadelphia Experiment become connected to unified field theory research?
Chronological record
Timeline
Alleged first test of invisibility experiment.
Alleged second test with crew teleportation.
Carlos Allende sends first letters to Morris Jessup.
Jessup publishes annotated copy findings.
Story gains widespread attention through books and documentaries.
Connected dossiers
Related Investigations
References & further reading
Sources
Automatically discovered links
Related Connections
Both involve activities during the 1950s through 1970s periods.
Both involve activities during the 1970s period.
Both involve activities during the 1940s through 1970s periods.