Nessletter - No 019 - 1976

Magazine Overview

This issue of 'Nessletter', published by the Ness Information Service in December 1976, focuses on ongoing research and related topics concerning Loch Ness and Loch Morar, alongside other intriguing subjects like wave power and reports of lake monsters elsewhere.

Loch Ness Research Update

The 'Academy of Applied Science' team, led by Bob Rines, had hoped to return to Loch Ness in November for the salmon run, but the season was concluded by Charlie Wyckoff. Despite disappointing results, the sonar equipment proved productive, detecting large moving objects on several occasions, though they did not come within camera range. Sonar was also used to survey the loch floor, revealing stone rings (15 to 100 feet in diameter) and several wrecked ships. Martin Klein, the sonar expert, is particularly interested in one or two large objects on the bottom, which he suspects might be carcasses due to their size and shape. The team plans to use specialized equipment next season to investigate these further. A full report on the season's results was to be published in the December 'MIT' Technology Review'.

Wave Power Experiment

An interesting experiment unrelated to monster research is scheduled to begin on Loch Ness in April. This will test equipment for extracting energy from wave power, featuring the first British sea-going prototype wave power machine. Developed from Stephen Salter's 'nodding duck' concept, the machine consists of duck body-shaped vanes connected by a rigid spine. As the vanes nod up and down, this motion generates electricity. The rig is being assembled by the hydraulics department at Lanchester Polytechnic in cooperation with Sea Energy Associates and Insituform. A prototype 1m diameter, 2m wide duck has been built, and the project aims to create a string of 50 metres. If successful, it is hoped that 50 percent of the wave energy can be utilized. The article expresses curiosity about how the rig will be anchored and how it will withstand the water conditions, noting the potential benefit of having technical people from other scientific branches nearby.

Dores Inn Facelift

The historic 18th-century Dores Inn is undergoing changes with a new landlord, Mr Lawrence MacGill, who took over in November. Chosen from 420 applicants, MacGill plans to renovate the inn, which he believes is operating below its potential. His plans include a restaurant and lounge bar with garden seating, while retaining the existing single bar's character. These improvements are seen as a welcome asset given the growing tourist traffic.

More Books on Lake Monsters

George Hamilton from the USA provided a list of books available in the States related to lake monsters. Titles include 'Loch Ness Monster Watchers' by V. Perera, 'The Loch Ness Monster, 2nd' by T. Dinsdale, 'The Loch Ness Monster' by R.T. Gould, 'The Loch Ness Monster' by Elwood D. Baumann, 'The Loch Ness Story' by Nicholas Witchell, 'In Search of Lake Monsters' by Peter Costello, 'The Mysterious Monsters' by Sun Classic Pictures Inc., 'Strange Secrets of the Loch Ness Monster' by Warren Smith, 'Monsters Among Us' by John Lee & Barara Moore, and 'The Monsters of Loch Ness' by Roy P. Mackal.

Music Release: Big Foot and Nessie

A new record from Kangaroc Records features Country and Western style music. One side is dedicated to Big Foot, and the other to 'Nessie - The Loch Ness Monster', performed by Johnny Blankenship. The reviewer considers it a better effort than a previous Nessie record heard in 1974.

Alaska Lake Monster Report

From the newsletter 'Shadows', a report details a lake monster in Alaska's Lake Iliamna. This lake, the 7th largest freshwater lake in the world, is subject to Eskimo legends of a water creature. During World War II, US Navy airmen reported seeing huge shadows underwater, and there have been subsequent reports, including one in 1960 by American astronauts. This case is added to the list of water creatures deserving further investigation.

Operations Newsletter: Ness & Morar 1976

This section, circulated by Tim Dinsdale, provides an update on the 1976 operations for Loch Ness and Loch Morar. It references 'Symposia '75', describing the Edinburgh Symposium's collapse and a subsequent dramatic meeting at the House of Commons where facts and expertise were shared. It highlights contributions to the growing body of evidence, including the Scott/Rines article in 'Nature', the author's piece in the 'Photographic Journal', the 'MIT's Technology Review' article, and articles by Nigel Sitwell and Sir Peter Scott. These publications are seen as accurate counter-fire against negative publicity.

Prospects for 1976 are described as 'extremely encouraging' due to fieldwork and accurate information dissemination. Adrian Shine, leader of the 1976 Loch Morar Expedition, has issued a prospectus detailing the deployment of sophisticated underwater video and camera gear. The expedition will run for about 12 weeks starting in early June, and volunteers are welcomed. Volunteers are cautioned that Morar can be tough and must be prepared for weather and instructions. The beauty of Loch Morar is also noted.

Bob Rines and his Academy team are also planning to deploy high-technology equipment underwater in Loch Ness during the summer to obtain more definitive photos, despite the challenges posed by peat-stained water. Success is considered within reach due to expertise, equipment, and support from leading scientific establishments.

BBC/TV Documentary

A significant 50-minute British-national TV documentary on the Loch Ness Monster is set to air in the BBC's 'Tuesday Documentary' slot in early June. The author spent a week filming with producer Hugh Burnett and an expert camera crew, interviewing local witnesses. Viewing the footage and meeting the production team convinced the author that the film would significantly raise public awareness of the facts.

Loch Ness Association of Explorers (LNAE)

This section introduces the 'Loch Ness Association of Explorers' (LNAE) as the future letterhead for 'operation newsletters'. It is described as a small, uncomplicated association aiming to foster a good-humoured working relationship and contact between key figures in the Ness and Morar projects, as well as other fields like Big Foot, UFOs, and Paranormal Phenomena. The LNAE will issue commentaries, build up records, and initiate fieldwork. It is not a membership association with dues, but intends to compliment those whose work deserves recognition. The editor of N.I.S., Rip Hepple, is named as a 'Companion' of the LNAE.

Post Script: Publishers' Support and Future Hopes

Tim Dinsdale's postscript highlights the increasing 'respectability' of monster hunting and Bigfoot research, evidenced by publishers' willingness to accept their work. He mentions Al Hackle (Acropolis Books), Peter Byrne ('The Search for Big Foot'), Andrew Hall (Futura Publications, updating 'The Leviathans'), and Roy Mackal ('The Monsters of Loch Ness'). Norman Franklin of Routledge & Kegan Paul is noted for his long-standing support. Several other books are in progress. The postscript concludes with a hopeful note that the 'giant aquatic quarry' in Ness and Morar might surface obligingly in the summer of 1976.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing, often challenging, scientific investigations into the Loch Ness Monster, the exploration of alternative energy sources like wave power, and the broader interest in unexplained phenomena and cryptids. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious optimism, emphasizing the importance of accurate reporting, scientific rigor, and collaboration among researchers. There is a clear effort to counter negative publicity and promote the credibility of the research efforts, particularly those involving the Academy of Applied Science and the Loch Morar Expedition. The publication also serves as a platform for sharing information on related topics, such as other lake monster reports and relevant literature, fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts and researchers.