Nessletter - No 022 - 1977

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No. 22
Date: June 1977
Publisher: Ness Information Service
Country: United Kingdom

This issue of Nessletter delves into various unexplained phenomena, focusing on lake monsters, legendary creatures, and potential UFO sightings. It includes detailed accounts of sightings, photographic evidence, and ongoing research efforts.

Washington: The Lambton Worm Legend

The lead article discusses a visit by the President of the United States to Washington, County Durham, ancestral home of the Washington family, and its proximity to Lambton Castle, the 12th-century home of Sir John Lambton. This region is known for the legendary Lambton Worm. The article recounts the folk tale of the Lambton Worm, a creature that grew immensely after being caught as a fish by Sir John. It terrorized the countryside, milking cows and eating children. Attempts to kill it failed as it healed itself. Sir John, advised by a witch, defeated the worm by attaching scythe blades to his armor and using his sword. However, he was cursed to kill the first living thing he met upon his return, which turned out to be his father, leading to a curse on the Lambton family for nine generations, resulting in unfortunate deaths.

The article also notes that President Carter visited the Corning-Pyrex glassworks in Sunderland, where he was presented with a sculpture of Saint George and the Dragon. F.W. Holiday's book, "The Great Orm of Loch Ness," is mentioned for covering similar dragon and worm tales.

Loch Morar

This section reports on the upcoming Loch Morar Survey, scheduled for June, July, and August. The team, led by Adrian Shine, will employ increased sonar activity with various firms operating on a wide range of frequencies. The goal is to track targets and establish optimal camera locations, with two cameras planned. Experiments include deep bottom T.V. for traces or remains and gathering general information. A biological survey will be conducted by the Royal Holloway College, alongside depth surveys, limnology studies, and direct observation by divers.

Photographs: Nessie and Other Sightings

Loch Ness Sightings:

• Earl L. McGrew's Photographs: On April 30th, 1977, Earl L. McGrew, an aeronautical engineer from California, reported seeing a long tapering neck emerge from Loch Ness about a mile east of Fort Augustus. The neck was estimated to be 50 yards offshore, 3-4 feet high, and moving quickly. McGrew was able to take two pictures, which are believed to be very good.
• Tony Shiels' Photographs: On June 9th, 1977, the Daily Mirror published a head and neck picture of Nessie, taken by Tony Shiels of Ponsanooth. Shiels provided details in a letter, stating his picture (the better of two) was originally published in the Scottish Daily Record. He believes his shots are the best ever taken of the creature. The photographs were taken from Urquhart Castle around 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21st, using a Zenith EM 35 mm SLR with a 150 mm telephoto lens, set at f.II to f.16 at 1/500 second. The published picture shows only a small part of the original frame, with the creature occupying about one-sixth of the vertical space. Shiels describes the neck as being around four or five feet long above the water line, with a greenish-brown color and a paler underside. He noted no visible eyes in the original, with a light patch above the 'mouth' being a reflection. He also observed possible parasitic growth on the neck and a round, pale object floating nearby. Shiels believes his second picture supports the plesiosaur theory and explains the sequence between Wilson's famous photographs.

Loch Morar Sightings:

Tony Shiels also reported possible photographs from Loch Morar, taken on January 31st by Miss Lindsay of Musselburgh. These pictures reportedly show the head of a forty-foot creature. Prints have been submitted to David Shirt, Scientific Officer of the Loch Morar Expedition, for examination. Mr. Shirt stated that if genuine, they are the first such photographs from Loch Morar and among the closest taken of a 'monster'. However, doubt is cast on their authenticity as Miss Lindsay has not submitted the negatives.

Canadian Cousin: Lake Pohenegamook

Lake Pohenegamook, located 300 miles north of Montreal, is reported to be home to a large creature. Over twenty years of eyewitness reports, including those from a local priest and former mayor, have accumulated. Sightings reached a peak the previous summer, with Mr. Louis Farmer describing the monster as very long (about 80 feet) and less than 6 feet around. Other reports mention lengths of over forty feet, a dark blue-gray color, and saw-toothed fins. The Quebec provincial government has received so many reports that Dr. Vladykov, professor emeritus of biology at the University of Ottawa, has been sent to produce an official report.

Otters

Murray Barber, an experienced monster watcher, shared an account of seeing what he initially thought was a 'hump' in Loch Ness in September 1975. After retrieving his camera, he observed a small object swimming close to shore, which turned out to be an otter about 3-4 feet long. This incident highlights how easily size and distance can be misjudged near water. Barber suggests this may explain why some researchers fail to see otters, as they stay close to shore and boats often do not approach that closely.

N.I.S. at the Lochside

Jim Green of the Bell Hotel, Wallbridge, Stroud, will be at Loch Ness from August 6th to 16th, staying at the TI-NA-BRUACH guest house near Fort Augustus. He welcomes meeting other Nessie fans. Ricky Gardiner, with a red Toyota Corolla Estate (reg. YCW 322R), favors the southern shore and may be found there in late July and early August. The author and family plan to be at Loch Ness during the last week of July and the first week of August.

Caledonian Canal

Hopes for an early reopening of the Caledonian Canal have been dashed. Divers and electronic equipment used to assess damage revealed bulging in the lock walls and worn sills, indicating a much larger problem. The canal is now not expected to reopen until early August.

Loch Ness Map

Tim Dinsdale has sent a sample of a folding map of Loch Ness, published by Johnston and Bacon. The map includes depth and contour projections, along with views, charts, pictures, and a sightings map, described as a very good and useful item for those interested in Loch Ness phenomena.

Closing

The newsletter concludes by requesting news and views from readers. The editor's address is provided for correspondence and subscriptions.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the enduring legends of creatures like the Lambton Worm and the Loch Ness Monster, alongside contemporary investigations and photographic evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting eyewitness accounts, research efforts, and photographic details from various sources, while also acknowledging potential misidentifications (like the otter) and the need for careful examination of evidence. There is a clear interest in documenting sightings and research related to cryptids and unexplained phenomena across different locations.