1976 Devil's Triangle LTD Map of the Bermuda Triangle

This is Bill Wilkerson's c. 1976 analysis of the ships lost in the preceding century to the Bermuda Triangle. Wilkerson provides a well-researched and fascinating chronicle of the Bermuda Triangle, complete with references and a poem, 'The Triangle, ' possibly of his own composition.

A Closer Look

The map is overprinted on a reduced version of the Defense and Mapping Agency Hydrographic Center's International Chart Series map Southeast Coast of North America including the Bahamas and the Greater Antilles. Coverage embraces the eastern coast of North America from, roughly, Frenchman's Bay to Jamaica and from Tampa eastward just beyond Bermuda. Red overprinting identifies the sites of numerous 'lost' ships, along with some of the mystery surrounding their stories. Most date from the 20th century, but we note entries as early as the 1840s and as late as 1977 - leading us to believe this may be an updated version of the chart, which bears a 1976 copyright. The overprinting also includes nautically themed pictorial elements: a hammerhead shark, Neptune, a sea monster, and an Aeolus. The author cites his sources in the lower right.

The Bermuda Triangle

The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is a loosely defined region in the North Atlantic where numerous ships and aircraft have mysteriously disappeared under unexplained circumstances. Bordered by Miami, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico, the area gained notoriety in the 20th century due to reports of strange phenomena, including compass malfunctions and vanishings without distress signals. While sensationalized by books and media, scientific investigations attribute most incidents to natural explanations such as powerful storms, human error, and strong ocean currents like the Gulf Stream. Despite its reputation, the Bermuda Triangle does not have a higher incidence of disappearances than other heavily traveled regions, and it remains a mix of maritime lore and scientific skepticism.

Publication History and Census

This map was published by Bill Wilkerson of Devil's Triangle LTD in 1976. Given the inclusion of the Grand Zenith, lost in January of 1977, this may be an updated edition, or that content may simply a last-minute addition to the map.