Reverend Gill’s Papua New Guinea Sighting

On the evenings of June 26-27, 1959, Anglican missionary Reverend William Booth Gill and up to 37 other witnesses observed a large, disc-shaped craft with humanoid figures on its upper surface hovering near the Boianai mission station in Papua New Guinea. The figures appeared to respond to waves from the witnesses below.

The Setting

Reverend Gill was an Anglican priest serving at the Boianai mission in what was then the Territory of Papua. He was an educated, respected figure with no previous interest in UFOs. The mission served local Papua New Guinean converts.

First Night - June 26, 1959

At approximately 6:45 PM, a bright light was observed in the sky. Gill and local teachers and medical staff assembled to watch as a large, disc-shaped object descended and hovered several hundred feet above the mission.

On top of the craft, the witnesses could see four humanoid figures that appeared to be working or moving about. A blue light shone upward like a searchlight from the craft.

The object remained visible for approximately four hours before ascending and disappearing. Gill documented the sighting in detail that night.

Second Night - June 27, 1959

The craft returned the following evening around 6:00 PM. This time, Gill and approximately 38 witnesses observed the object and its occupants.

In a remarkable moment, Gill waved at the figures, and one appeared to wave back. When he and others raised their arms, the figures seemed to reciprocate. When Gill used a flashlight to signal, the craft appeared to respond by moving back and forth.

The witnesses watched for approximately an hour before going to dinner. When they returned, the object had departed.

Witness Testimony

Gill wrote detailed reports immediately after both sightings. His account was signed by 25 other witnesses who could write, including teachers Stephen Gill Moi and Ananias Rarata.

The witnesses consistently described:

• Large, disc-shaped craft
• Four humanoid figures on top
• Blue searchlight-type beam
• Apparent interaction with observers
• Silent operation

Investigation

The sightings were investigated by various researchers over the years. Dr. J. Allen Hynek interviewed Gill extensively and found him credible. The Royal Australian Air Force could offer no explanation.

Gill’s Character

Reverend Gill was by all accounts a sincere, honest man with no reason to fabricate such a story. He continued his ministry for years and never sought to profit from the experience. His detailed written accounts, created immediately after the events, provide valuable documentation.

Explanations Proposed

Planet Jupiter: Skeptics suggested Gill was observing Jupiter, bright in the sky at that time. However, Jupiter cannot explain the craft’s movement, the visible figures, or the apparent interaction.

Hoax: Given Gill’s character, the multiple witnesses, and the detailed documentation, hoax seems implausible.

Unknown Phenomenon: The case remains unexplained in conventional terms.

Significance

The Boianai sightings are notable for:

• Highly credible primary witness
• Multiple corroborating witnesses
• Extended duration over two nights
• Detailed written documentation
• Apparent intelligent interaction

Legacy

The Papua New Guinea sightings remain among the most compelling multiple-witness UFO cases. The apparent response of the craft’s occupants to human gestures suggests either intelligence or remarkable coincidence.

Reverend Gill maintained his account until his death in 2007, never wavering from what he and 37 others observed over those two June evenings in 1959.