Nessletter - No 029 - 1978

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No. 29
Date: August 1978
Publisher: Ness Information Service
Content: This issue details personal holiday experiences at Loch Ness, ongoing scientific research, notable sightings, and an upcoming exhibition.

Holidays 1978

The author recounts his holiday at Loch Ness in late July 1978. After his wife's recovery from surgery, they were able to go. The initial days were marked by strong winds and rough water. The author tested his newly built eight-foot plywood dinghy, named 'Waterchick', which initially proved unstable due to being too high in the water. After modifications, including adding gravel, it became usable. He notes that while the dinghy is fun for general use, for 'monster-hunting,' the quietness of a canoe or paddle is preferred.

Sightings and Encounters

A brief sighting occurred on Monday, July 24th, at 7:30 p.m., of a single hump, described as an upturned boat type, mid-way between the old Abriachan pier and Dores. Miss Patti Page reported seeing a large black hump moving across the loch while driving with her aunt and uncle. Although her view was obscured by trees, and Bob Rine, her uncle, was skeptical, a man in Dores later corroborated seeing the hump at the same time and location.

Academy of Applied Science Research

The Academy of Applied Science continued its research efforts. Last season, a main camera under a raft in Urquhart Bay captured eight frames, indicating a large object close to the camera, possibly within six feet, showing a rough-textured surface similar to previous 'flipper' photographs. The camera 'pot' that went missing over the winter had not been recovered.

For the 1978 season, a new approach involved positioning cameras to cover each other's fields of view and using slave strobe lights, similar to those used in high-altitude reconnaissance. These strobes could be triggered at three-second intervals to create a 'movie-like' sequence. The system was computerized and powered from the shore, eliminating the need for batteries. The work involved Bob Rines, Ike Blondes, Charles Wyckoff, John Lothrop (Polaroid), Duane Marshall (Megapulse Inc.), Bob Needlemans, and Tim Dinsdale. Holly Arnold and Ian Morrison assisted as divers.

Another aspect of their work included mapping underwater stone rings. They also attempted to relocate a wrecked aircraft found two years prior, which was now in much deeper water, possibly due to underwater currents or the wreck sliding down a slope. Initial identification as a Catalina was revised, suggesting it might be a Wellington or Junkers 88. Efforts were planned to photograph it using an underwater camera rig.

Marty Klein, using his side-scan sonar equipment with Garry Kozak and Tom Cummings, detected something large and moving in the depths of the loch, south of Urquhart Castle. The sonar picked up an object 35 meters down in 200 meters of water, approximately 110 meters from the towfish. The object generated a strong underwater disturbance, described by sonar operators as similar to the disturbance left by a submerged submarine traveling at speed. Tim Dinsdale confirmed no submarines were in the loch. Noise was also detected from the target, which could be from the animal itself or cavitation. New hydrophones were designed to listen with cameras when triggered by sonar.

Theo Brown's Sonic Lure Experiment

Australian scientist Theo Brown, an expert on sharks, arrived in July to study Loch Ness. He had developed a method for repelling and attracting sharks using underwater loudspeakers. Working in the Foyers area, he was able to attract shoals of fish. On August 25th, about a mile south-west of Foyers, he used his sonic lure to attract a large moving object over 200 feet down. The object was estimated to be about 30 feet long and 6-9 feet deep with appendages. While being tracked, the noise from a surface boat frightened it, and it was lost. Sonar charts indicated a large animal was reacting to the sounds, ruling out a shoal of fish.

Exhibition and Odds and Ends

An exhibition titled 'Loch Ness (More than a Monster)' by painter Philip Maltman was announced, to be held at the Battersea Arts Centre in September. It will feature paintings, photographs, L.N.I.B. documents, and historical material.

A sighting on August 5th involved Mr and Mrs Chisholm and their niece seeing a head and hump break the surface near Dores and Foyers. They watched it for about half a minute before it disappeared, leaving large waves.

In 'Odds and Ends,' a rescue of a man and two Dutch girls after their dinghy capsized on July 16th was reported. Holly Arnold, a former member of the L.N.I., is preparing for a major scientific expedition to the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

The newsletter concludes with a request for news and views from readers, providing the address of R.R. Hepple and subscription rates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing search for the Loch Ness Monster, the use of scientific technology in investigations, and personal accounts of holiday experiences at the loch. The editorial stance appears to be one of continued interest and support for the research efforts, acknowledging the dedication of groups like the Academy of Applied Science and individuals like Theo Brown. There is also an appreciation for eyewitness accounts, even if initially met with skepticism. The increase in boat traffic is noted as a double-edged sword, potentially increasing chances of sightings but also posing risks of disturbance and pollution.