What happened
USS Cyclops, a large U.S. Navy collier, was returning from Brazil in early 1918 with a cargo of nearly 11,000 tons of manganese ore, needed for arms production. After an unscheduled stop in Barbados, she sailed for Baltimore on March 4. On board were 306 crew members and passengers. The ship never reached her destination: she sent no distress call, and no wreckage, life jackets, or bodies were found. The war was still on, so a German submarine or surface raider was initially suspected, but Germany denied any involvement. It was one of the largest non-combat losses in the history of the U.S. Navy, and the case later became one of the pillars of the Bermuda Triangle legend.
Witnesses
No witnesses to the disappearance; the ship was last seen after leaving Barbados. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Navy.
Explanations and hypotheses
The Navy believes the ship most likely sank in a sudden storm. Factors under consideration include overloading with ore, a damaged engine, and possible structural weakness of the hull – two sister colliers, “Proteus” and “Nereus,” disappeared in the same area in 1941. The wreck has never been found, so no version has been confirmed.
Unexplained There is no convincing explanation.
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