Nessletter - No 023 - 1977

Magazine Overview

This issue of Nessletter, dated August 1977, is the 23rd publication from the Ness Information Service. It covers a range of topics related to unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on Loch Ness investigations, but also including UFO sightings and other fortean reports from around the world.

Holidays' 77

The issue opens with a personal account of a holiday on the loch shores during late July and early August. The weather was poor with rain and wind, curtailing some activities. Despite not seeing 'Nessie', the author visited friends and met with N.I.S. members, looking forward to the next year's holiday.

Academy of Applied Science

This section details the ongoing efforts of the Academy of Applied Science in their Loch Ness research. The number of camera units has increased to five, deployed around Urquhart Bay on buoys. These units feature sonar to trigger cameras (motor-drive Nikon F-2s) when an object of a predetermined size approaches. The cameras, loaned by Mr Ehren Reich of Photo Optical Industries, are battery-powered for a month and serviced by a local team. The team includes Alec Menzies, Tony Gerlings, Dick Raynor, Holly Arnold, Charles Wychoff, Bob Needleman, and J. Lowthrom of Polaroid.

Further investigation of 'stone circles' located by sonar at Loch End involved dives by Professor Peter Milne of Strathclyde University, Hugh Williams, Dave Grant, and John Mills of Undersea Instrumentation. They confirmed the circles were manmade rings, appearing as remains of cairns. Plans are in place to pump out silt from these rings to search for artifacts. The circles are at a depth of about 45 feet, and it was noted that the loch level had risen due to the Caledonian Canal construction, but even accounting for this, the circles would have been submerged.

During these operations, divers discovered unusual fish at depths of seventy to over one hundred feet. These fish, 2 to 10 inches long, had dark stripes and red gill marks, lying on the silt in a curved manner. They burrowed into the silt when disturbed. Sir Peter Scott and the British Museum were unable to identify them, and a specimen was sent for identification.

An attempt to relocate a large 'target' found near the wreck off Temple Pier the previous year proved fruitless. Sonar and a television camera on an underwater sled could not find it. The main camera rig, left in the water over winter, showed sonar results indicating something large had approached, but a hairline crack in the housing allowed water to enter, shorting out a resistor and preventing flash photography.

Loch Morar

There is no detailed news from Loch Morar, only that early in the season there were teething troubles with equipment, which were subsequently sorted out.

Lake Champlain

Joseph Zarzynski has compiled a preliminary report on 73 sightings from Lake Champlain over two years. He categorizes sightings by date, witness, weather, duration, distance, surface conditions, time of year, length, color, humps or head/neck, and source. 'Long necker' sightings are of particular interest, with 30 out of 73 reports fitting this description. Lake Champlain's dimensions are provided: 105.6 miles long, 12.6 miles wide, with a maximum depth of 400 feet and a mean depth of 64 feet. The lake covers 436.4 square miles, with about 5 miles in Canada. Its origin is likely glacial, with evidence of a recent oceanic past, and it contains about 60 species of fish, including the lake sturgeon.

New Zealand

A spate of newspaper reports in July/August concerned a carcass found off New Zealand in April. Brought up from 900 feet by a Japanese trawler, it was in an advanced state of decomposition. Photographs and samples were taken before it was returned to the sea. Japanese scientists found traces of protein found in blue sharks, but did not entirely rule out an unusual origin.

Tim Dinsdale

Tim Dinsdale provided an interim report on his 1977 field operations. He was concluding a month's work on 'Water Horse' before retiring the craft after ten seasons. He faced challenges from easterly winds affecting Loch Ness. He also visited Adrian Shine at Loch Morar and noted that Roger Parker of Partech Ltd. had recorded a large sonar blip there. On Loch Ness, Tim obtained two new witness reports, including one of a huge head and neck seen in 1952, which witnesses reacted to with astonishment when shown a slide of the Tony Shiels photograph. The best news is of a new super-8 film taken on August 22nd, showing a periscope-like neck and head submerging multiple times. The film is approximately four minutes long, though some shots were taken into sunlight. Tim also shared that 'Skywatch', a magazine produced by O-level pupils, featured an interview with him.

Fortean Times

This magazine, in its edition number 22, features an article on monsters, including photographs of Morgawr (Cornish sea creature) and Morag (Loch Morar). Two photos of Morag were taken by Miss Lindsay, and another by Hazel Jackson, showing a head and neck in the water behind her dog. Two other photographs were taken by Tony Shiels on May 21st, 1977. The address for Fortean Times is provided.

Odd Ends

Several brief reports are included:

• U.F.O.: A family reported a 'sausage-shaped machine' hovering and departing at high speed at Ullapool in early August. Another report described a large, brilliantly white oval object seen near Fort Augustus.
• Books: Details of two new books are provided: 'Search at Loch Ness' by D.L.Meredith and 'The Loch Ness Monster' by William Akins.
• Lapel Badge: A suggestion for an N.I.S. lapel badge is mentioned, seeking comments and design ideas.
• Ancient Skills and Wisdom Review: A new magazine reviewing books on occult, prehistory, parapsychology, and UFOs is mentioned, with details for Paul Screeton.

Dave Whittaker

Dave Whittaker, a former youngest member of L.N.I. expeditions, has qualified as a veterinarian from Edinburgh University and is now working in general practice in North Wales. He is seeking information on other L.N.I. members.

Eden Court

The 'Monster Night' event at Eden Court theatre on June 28th, 1977, was a success, selling 800 tickets and turning down 500 more requests. Proceeds went to the World Wildlife Fund. The event featured Dr Roger Wheater, Sir Peter Scott discussing identification, and Bob Rines on underwater technology, followed by a lively question time.

Querns

An excavator driver in the Fort Augustus area uncovered a 'trough' quern, a rectangular grinding tool likely dating between 1500 and 2500 BC. It has been donated to the Inverness Museum.

Contact Information

The newsletter concludes by inviting news and views, providing the address for R.R. Hepple in Bishop Auckland and subscription rates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigations into the Loch Ness Monster, with detailed reports on technological efforts and witness accounts. The publication also shows a strong interest in UFO phenomena and other unexplained mysteries, as evidenced by the 'Odd Ends' and 'Fortean Times' sections. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry and reporting on a wide range of anomalous events, encouraging reader participation and the sharing of information.