ISC Newsletter - Vol 04 No 3 - 1985

Magazine Overview

The ISC Newsletter, Autumn 1985, Vol. 4, No. 3, published by the International Society of Cryptozoology, focuses on a series of deep-sea fishing disruptions attributed to a giant octopus off the coast of Bermuda. The issue also delves into historical accounts of giant octopuses, including the 1896 St. Augustine, Florida, carcass, and reports on the ICSEB III Cryptozoology Symposium.

Giant Octopus Blamed for Deep Sea Fishing Disruptions

The lead article details incidents involving John P. "Sean" Ingham, a Bermudan deep-sea fisherman operating the boat "Trilogy" at depths of 1,000 to 2,000 fathoms. Ingham experienced significant damage to his specially designed crab and prawn traps, with two traps being completely lost. The damage, including nicked and broken reinforced rods, suggested the involvement of a large marine animal. Ingham suspects a giant octopus, possibly attracted by the large accumulations of crabs and shrimp in his traps, was clinging to and holding the traps down. The article recounts specific instances, including the loss of a 5,000 lb. load of Geryon crabs and a trap breaking free under a 600 lb. strain. Ingham's hypothesis is supported by the observation of a 50-foot high pyramid shape on his chromoscope and the fact that octopuses are known to prey on crabs and shrimp.

Communications regarding these incidents involved various experts, including James Burnett-Herkes from the Bermudan Fisheries Department, Warren F. Rathjen of the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and Raymond B. Manning, a curator at the Smithsonian Institution. Bennie A. Rohr, a fishery biologist with NMFS, also communicated with Ingham and Dr. Rohr, who is a specialist in deep-sea crabs, initially suggested the possibility of a giant octopus.

Further details emerge from Mr. Ingham's report to Dr. Rohr on September 19, 1984, describing an incident where a trap was held fast to the bottom, and the boat was towed slowly by an unseen creature. The creature's movements caused vibrations felt through the rope, and eventually, the trap was released. The trap showed signs of being bent and pushed-in, indicating significant pressure.

ISC Vice President Roy Mackal, a biochemist involved in the analysis of the St. Augustine carcass, was informed of the Bermuda events. Attempts to involve National Geographic, which had a boat with deep-sea video equipment in the area, were unsuccessful due to equipment loss. Dr. Mackal believes that such a project should have been conducted while the events were occurring, suggesting the opportunity to document the animal may have been lost.

The St. Augustine Giant Octopus Carcass

The issue revisits the 1896 incident in St. Augustine, Florida, where a massive organic mass was found washed ashore. Dr. DeWitt Webb, a physician, investigated the mass, which was 21 feet long and estimated to weigh 6-7 tons. He concluded it was an octopus, estimating its arm length at 75-100 feet, giving a radial spread of up to 200 feet. A. E. Verrill, a cephalopod expert, initially named it *Octopus giganteus* but later retracted his identification, suggesting it might be a cetacean. Frederic Augustus Lucas, a comparative anatomist, described the substance as blubber, leading to its storage in the Smithsonian Institution.

Forrest Wood, a long-time student of giant octopuses, rediscovered the case and, with the help of Gilbert Voss and Joseph F. Gennaro, Jr., initiated new analyses of the preserved tissue. Dr. Gennaro's histological analysis suggested the tissue was not whale blubber and had a structure similar to octopus connective tissue. Further histological and amino acid analyses by Gennaro and Roy Mackal showed the tissue was most similar to octopus tissue, with a high proportion of glycine, supporting a cephalopod origin. However, other zoologists, including Clyde Roper and James Mead, maintain the opinion that the animal was likely a cetacean, pending review of the new results.

ICSEB III Cryptozoology Symposium

The International Society of Cryptozoology sponsored a one-day symposium on July 7, 1985, as part of the International Congress of Systematic and Evolutionary Biology (ICSEB III) at the University of Sussex, Brighton, England. The symposium, organized by ISC Secretary J. Richard Greenwell, featured presentations on theoretical and specific areas of cryptozoology.

Morning session speakers included:

• David Heppell: Chaired the session and discussed "pseudo-conchology."
• Bernard Heuvelmans: Discussed "Splitting vs. Lumping in Systematic Zoology and Cryptozoology," proposing provisional splitting of apparently similar forms.
• Richard Greenwell: Presented a new classificatory system for cryptozoology with seven categories.
• Piotr Klafkowski: Spoke on "The Case for a Linguistic Component in Cryptozoology," suggesting the use of linguistic data and the establishment of a "linguistic information bank."

Afternoon session speakers included:

• Roy Mackal and Joseph Gennaro, Jr.: Presented "Histological and Amino Acid Analyses of Octopus giganteus Tissue," detailing findings that the St. Augustine tissue is most similar to octopus tissue.
• Christine Janis: Her paper, read by Kathy Scott, proposed that some ungulates depicted in archaeological relics might be surviving Pleistocene species.
• Helmut Hemmer: Proposed that the puma-like Onza of northwestern Mexico could be a surviving North American Pleistocene cheetah, *Acinonyx trumani*.
• Richard Greenwell: Provided an update on the Onza case, reporting efforts to locate a skull from a 1938 sighting and new Onza skulls from Mexico.
• Grover Krantz: Proposed that the fossil primate *Gigantopithecus blacki* is represented today by the Sasquatch or Bigfoot of North America, based on eyewitness sightings and footprints.

The symposium concluded with panel discussions and was noted as the first time cryptozoology had been specifically addressed at a major international scientific conference.

News & Notes

This section includes brief news capsules:

• Ugliness Bestows Honor: A new phylum, Loricifera, has been identified and described, with the species *Nanaloricus mysticus* found in marine sand. Richard Kristensen of the University of Copenhagen was instrumental in its discovery.
• Steller Idea: Unconfirmed reports suggest Soviet fishing trawlers may have sighted Steller's sea cow (*Hydrodamalis gigas*) in the Bering Sea, a marine mammal thought to be extinct.
• Monstrous Promotion: The Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce in Oregon is promoting "Wally" the lake monster as a regional attraction. Legends of a "monster" in Wallowa Lake date back to before white settlers.
• On the Beach: Two Icelandic bird hunters reported observing large, horse-like animals with cloven-hooved footprints on the beach of Lake Kleifarvatn in November 1984.

Message from the Editor

J. Richard Greenwell, the Editor, notes that only one issue (Winter) of 1985 is overdue and that the last 1985 newsletter is in production. He reminds members of the upcoming June 14, 1986, Membership Meeting in Chicago, which will feature informal talks by ISC members on topics such as fossil ungulates, Gigantopithecus/Sasquatch, and the Onza.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently covers a wide range of cryptozoological topics, from marine mysteries like giant octopuses and sea cows to terrestrial cryptids such as the Onza and Sasquatch. It emphasizes scientific investigation, analysis of evidence, and the importance of societies like ISC in fostering research and discussion. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging scientific exploration and the documentation of unusual phenomena, while also acknowledging the skepticism and debate within the scientific community.

The ISC Newsletter, Autumn 1985, Vol. 4, No. 3, is a publication from the International Society of Cryptozoology. It features reader letters and factual articles related to the study of unknown animals.

Cryptoletters Section

The "Cryptoletters" section serves as a forum for readers to share their thoughts and observations on various cryptozoological topics. The editor welcomes letters and reserves the right to edit them for style and clarity without altering the meaning.

Letter from Ken Purcell (Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.)

Ken Purcell raises the question of odor associated with Sasquatch (Bigfoot) sightings. While physical aspects like footprints and photography have been studied, Purcell feels the aspect of an overpowering stench, often reported from a distance, has not been sufficiently addressed. He questions the reason for this stench and whether it could reveal characteristics of the creature, its food source, or its home range.

Letter from John B. Cleary (New York, New York, U.S.A.)

John B. Cleary expresses his belief in an increasing public awareness of the possible existence of "myths" like cryptids. He acknowledges that this may lead to more hoaxes but also increases the chance of obtaining irrefutable evidence due to more people being vigilant. Cleary hopes for conclusive positive evidence for the existence of these creatures, leading to their protection from further human encroachment. He cites the actions of New York State and the intentions of Vermont regarding 'Champ' as examples of legislative recognition.

Editor's Note on 'Champ'

An editor's note clarifies that while both chambers of the New York State Legislature and the Vermont House have passed resolutions "recognizing" the existence of 'Champ' and calling for "its" protection, these resolutions do not actually provide legal protection to the supposed large unknown animals in Lake Champlain.

Letter from Bruce Rivera (Seal Beach, California, U.S.A.)

Bruce Rivera reflects on the evidence required in cryptozoology. He proposes that in addition to seeking new evidence, it is crucial to catalog "lost" or unavailable evidence that might be in museum cellars or private collections. He suggests that with new testing procedures, reevaluating previously examined evidence could yield significant results. Rivera highlights G. E. Taylor's 1938 16mm color film of a large animal in Loch Ness as an example of evidence in private control that has not been accessible. He mentions that Maurice Burton has held this film exclusively and that efforts should be made to secure access, especially after Burton's passing, potentially with the help of British members like David James or Sir Peter Scott. Rivera concludes by emphasizing the importance of not neglecting the search for lost or unavailable evidence.

Wood's Animal Facts

This section provides detailed factual information about giraffes, abstracted from "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats" by Gerald L. Wood.

Giraffe Characteristics

The giraffe (Giraffa camelopardis) is described as the tallest living animal, associated with the dry open plains of tropical Africa. There are nine recognized races, with the Masai giraffe (Giraffa c. tippelskirchi) of Tanzania and South Kenya, and the Cape or southern giraffe (Giraffa c. capensis) of southwest Africa being highlighted.

Measurements and Weight

Adult bulls of both sub-species typically average 17 ft., 4.5 in. in height and weigh about 2,646 lb. (1,200 kg.). Adult cows are smaller, averaging 14 ft., 5.5 in. in height and weighing about 1,250 lb. (567 kg.).

Extreme Measurements

The greatest measurement recorded for a giraffe between pegs is 19 ft., 3 in. (5.87 m.) for a Masai bull shot in Kenya, which may have included horns. This figure was 4 ft. taller than a London double-decker bus. Another bull of the same race measured 19 ft. (5.8 m.). A Cape giraffe collected by Henry Bryden measured 18 ft., 11.5 in. (5.78 m.) and was mounted in the American Museum of Natural History.

Cow Giraffe Measurements and Captivity

The greatest measurement for a cow giraffe between pegs is 16 ft., 10 in. (5.13 m.) for a matriarch shot in Ngamiland in 1917. The tallest giraffe held in captivity was a Masai bull named "George," who arrived at Chester Zoo in England in 1959. At 6 years old, he measured 18 ft. (5.49 m.), and he died in 1969.

Abstract Source

The information is abstracted from "The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats" by Gerald L. Wood, published by Guinness Superlatives, Enfield, U.K. (3rd ed.), 1982.

ISC Society Information

Honorary Members

Honorary Members listed include Andre Capart (Belgium), Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer (South Africa), David James (United Kingdom), Marie-Jeanne Koffmann (Soviet Union), Ingo Krumbiegel (Federal German Republic), Theodore Monod (France), John R. Napier (United Kingdom), and Sir Peter Scott (United Kingdom).

Benefactors

Benefactors include Robert C. Dorion (Guatemala), Michael T. Martin (United States), Gale J. Raymond (United States), Kurt Von Nieda (United States), and Ned Winn (Switzerland), along with Bette and Joe Wolfskill (United States).

Corporate Sponsors

No specific corporate sponsors are listed.

Contact Information

The International Society of Cryptozoology is located at P.O. Box 43070, Tucson, Arizona 85733, U.S.A. The newsletter is marked as a non-profit organization with U.S. postage paid in Tucson, Arizona.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing pursuit of evidence in cryptozoology, the challenges of verification, and the importance of both new discoveries and the re-examination of existing data. The editorial stance, as inferred from the letters and the publication's nature, supports open inquiry into unexplained phenomena while acknowledging the potential for hoaxes. There is an emphasis on rigorous scientific approaches and the need for public awareness and protection of potential undiscovered species. The inclusion of detailed animal facts suggests an interest in the broader natural world and the potential for undiscovered or poorly understood species within it.