Nessletter

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No.11
Date: October 1975
Publisher: Ness Information Service

This issue of the Nessletter, published by the Ness Information Service in October 1975, focuses on recent sightings and related phenomena, particularly concerning Loch Ness, but also touching upon other lake monsters and UFO evidence. The publication aims to gather and disseminate information from its members and interested parties.

Academy of Applied Science

The 'Academy of Applied Science' section notes that there is no new visual evidence from Bob Rines to present, but announces a two-day symposium to be held in Edinburgh in early December. The general feeling is that this will be a significant event, attracting representatives from eminent scientific bodies.

Sighting: Loch Ness

Rudolph Lipinski's Sighting:
In early October, Rudolph Lipinski, a lay worker at Fort Augustus Abbey for nearly 30 years, reported a very unusual sighting. While in the Abbey gardens, he heard loud splashing from the lower pool where the River Tarff enters Loch Ness. Upon investigation, he observed a large object, described as a 'back', clear of the water and twisted as if trying to free itself from the gravel bank where it had apparently grounded. He watched it for two to three minutes before it freed itself, moved into deeper water, and then made off into the loch, leaving a distinct wash. Lipinski was interviewed by the local press and experienced monster-hunters. Tim Dinsdale noted Lipinski's reluctance to approach the bank, which Lipinski attributed to a fear that the object might 'attack'. The object was described as very large and very much alive.

More Sighting Information (Sue Diamond):
George Vyce, a Canadian member, traced and contacted Miss Sue Diamond of St. Catherines, Ontario, who had a sighting on July 10th, 1975. The sighting occurred around 1:00 p.m. near Inverness, at a pullover elevated from the surface of the loch (possibly the Clansman lay-by). The weather was calm with a slight mist. No boats were seen. The object was observed about halfway across the loch, appearing to blend with the water. It was described as long and moving in a northerly direction. The sighting lasted about one minute, after which the object disappeared, leaving an S-shaped pattern on the surface. Sue Diamond's diary entry states: "We decided to hitch down Loch Ness and see the scenery while of course we'd check for Nessie. We had a jolly Scotsman in a nice truck give us a ride. Suddenly Irma saw something and the driver pulled over. The long snake-like object had gone into an s-shape before disappearing."

The author expresses gratitude to George Vyce for gathering this information but notes that, despite the emphasis on the lack of boats, the general pattern of the sighting resembles a boat wake, suggesting a question mark over the interpretation.

The author also mentions having the full account from Alan Wilkins of events on July 18th, 1975, which is intended for inclusion in a separate sheet with this Nessletter.

More Cousins

This section details news from two American members regarding lake monsters in the United States.

Lake Champlain:
John Pisano Jr. sent a cutting from the National Enquirer (February 5th, 1971) about Lake Champlain. It references French explorer Samuel de Champlain, who in 1609 reported seeing a serpent-like creature 20 ft long with a head like a horse's. Walter Hard, who moved to Burlington in 1960, reported seeing something about 100 yards offshore after a thunderstorm. He described a globular, dirty-white head that was too big, with a body some 20 ft long and reddish in colour below the surface. He and his wife watched it swim across the lake without submerging. The article notes that many similar sightings have been reported and seem to occur in cycles. It also mentions that Lake Champlain was once an arm of the Atlantic Ocean, similar to Loch Ness.

'Rines Photographs' and Flathead Lake Monster:
John also sent a cutting from the National Star (November 4th, 1975) concerning the 'Rines Photographs'. Dr. Zug, a Zoologist in Reptiles and Amphibians at the Smithsonian Institute, stated that he had seen the photographs and believed there was definitely something there. He considered the photographers beyond reproach and found no evidence of fakery. He described the beast as having a reptilian appearance, somewhat like a Plesiosaurus, with two giraffe-like horns on its head.

Tim Church of Missoula, Montana, provided a report on 'The Flathead Lake Monster'. This report covers Indian legends up to 1885 and sightings up to 1974. Flathead Lake is located in Northwestern Montana, is the largest lake in the Western United States (27 miles long by 15 miles wide), covers 188 sq. miles, and has a maximum depth of 350 feet with a steady temperature of 37 degrees in deep areas. The author expresses gratitude to Tim Church and hopes to include his report in full in a later Nessletter.

T.V. and Radio

BBC Radio 4 'The Living World':
In October, the BBC's Radio 4 programme 'The Living World' featured an item by Dr. Maurice Burton. Burton explained that although he had not examined any evidence collected since 1961, he was certain that the creatures (presumably referring to lake monsters) did not exist. He argued that no similarly sized animal is known in temperate latitudes and cited examples of people being deceived by families of otters. He concluded that the Loch Ness Monster does not exist and that sightings were of otters.

ITV 'Magpie' programme:
In early November, Nick Witchell on ITV's Magpie programme discussed Tim Dinsdale's film and Bob Rines' 1972 pictures. The programme was presented for children but in an open-minded way.

Odds and Ends

'The Loch Hourn Monster':
Looking through the book 'The Charm of Scotland' by John Herries McCulloch, chapter two discusses 'The Loch Hourn Monster'. The author describes a difficult road to Kinloch Hourn and discovers that the Loch Hourn monster was unlike Nessie. Legend suggests it was twenty times the size of a golden eagle, a huge bat-like creature with a very strong, noxious smell that spread everywhere as it flew low through the night. This is speculated to be a Highland Pterodactyl.

'Loch na Beiste' (Loch of the Beast):
In the same book, 'Loch na Beiste' on Rudha Mor, on the West Coast of Scotland, is mentioned. It is one of several such lochs in the Highlands but is unique because an effort was made to drain it. When this proved impossible, barrels of lime were brought from the Isle of Skye and dumped into the deepest part of the loch, but this failed to stir the Beast.

Philip Marlow's Holiday:
Philip Marlow, an NIS member, shared a short account of his holiday at Loch Ness with his brother and a friend from August 15th to 21st. They spent two days cycling around the loch on hired bicycles, describing it as "a great experience" but one to be considered carefully before attempting. They, like many others, did not see anything.

Subscription Information and Closing

The newsletter concludes by thanking contributors and reminding members that N.I.S. needs comments and news. The address for correspondence is provided: R.R.Hepple, Huntshieldford Cottage, St. Johns Chapel, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL13 1RQ. Subscription costs have increased slightly due to rising costs to £1.25 per annum for the UK and $7.00 for the USA and Canada. The editor signs off with "Rip."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are lake monster sightings, particularly at Loch Ness, but also extending to other locations like Lake Champlain and Flathead Lake. There is a clear effort to document eyewitness accounts and gather evidence, such as the 'Rines Photographs'. The publication also engages with scientific skepticism, presenting Dr. Maurice Burton's view that lake monsters do not exist and are likely misidentifications. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, presenting various accounts and opinions, while also acknowledging the need for critical evaluation of evidence, as seen in the author's comments on the S-shaped wake.