Nessletter - No 035 - 1979

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No. 35
Date: August 1979
Publisher: Ness Information Service

This issue of the Nessletter, dated August 1979, focuses on 'Holidays 1979' and delves into various aspects of unexplained phenomena, particularly those related to Loch Ness. It combines personal accounts of visits to the loch with discussions of scientific investigations and theories.

Holidays 1979: A Visit to Loch Ness

The author recounts a holiday trip to Scotland, which included a visit to Oban and then Loch Ness. During the visit to Oban, the author met Lionel Leslie, a former member of The Loch Ness Phenomena Investigation Bureau, who is now in his 80th year. Leslie had done significant groundwork for earlier investigations.

Upon arriving at Loch Ness, the author describes an early morning canoe trip on Friday, August 3rd. While paddling near Urquhart Bay, the author observed ripples and a piece of 'driftwood' that disappeared. Despite searching for 15 minutes, it could not be relocated. The author states a personal interest in seeing a definitive sign of a creature, such as a large back or neck, rather than ambiguous sightings.

The author also mentions meeting friends around the loch, including Bob Rines from the Academy of Applied Science, and Theo Brown, who is conducting experiments with sonic attractants. Roger Parker of 'Partech', a firm specializing in marine instrumentation, is also mentioned. Partech has been conducting quiet sonar surveys at the loch for four seasons, identifying a target over 40 feet long and also tracking basking sharks.

The issue notes an increase in holiday cruiser traffic on Loch Ness, with some boats operating late-night 'disco' trips that can be heard from over two miles away.

Academy of Applied Science and Dolphin Investigations

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to the Academy of Applied Science's (AAS) proposal to use dolphins in Loch Ness. This plan had generated considerable comment and doubt among Ness Information Service (NIS) members, primarily due to concerns about the loch's cold, fresh water. Bob Rines assured members that the AAS had conducted thorough research and that dolphins could cope with the conditions. The Academy had also briefed various animal welfare and law enforcement organizations.

A major setback occurred with the death of a dolphin during training, but the AAS still hoped to bring dolphins over in the autumn. Rines explained the planned system: dolphins would be kept in saltwater pens and taken into the loch for short periods. They are trained to stay near the escort boat and search near the surface, only diving deep if they sense something. Simple harnesses and equipment pods are used, including a device to release a buoy if a dolphin becomes disoriented.

The prime objectives are tracking and photographing a creature, but other experiments are planned, such as using a self-activating sonic transmitter to guide dolphins to specific sonar targets like stone circles at Lochend. Another experiment involves retrieving objects from the bottom, specifically addressing a 'skeleton-like' feature seen on sonar at a depth beyond normal diving capabilities. The idea is to train dolphins to retrieve bones if a skeleton is found.

Dolphins were trained using cattle bones, and they quickly devised methods to retrieve them balanced on their noses. Rines emphasized that dolphins must be willing participants, and if conditions at Loch Ness are detrimental to their health, the operation would fail.

Most of the AAS team's time has been consumed by preparations for the dolphin operation. Other projects have suffered. A significant modification has been made to the raft in Urquhart Bay: the AC power supply, previously used for earlier photographs, is now used only for short periods to charge DC batteries. This change was made because it's thought that some creatures might be sensitive to the electromagnetic field generated by AC power, potentially keeping them away from the rig.

Yorkshire Television Project

A camera team from Yorkshire Television was also present, making a 13-part series on strange phenomena, including freshwater and sea monsters, Easter Island statues, and giant hill carvings. The series is expected to transmit in about a year to 18 months.

Elephants and Mirages: A Scientific Theory

This section discusses articles concerning elephants and atmospheric refraction. One article, from the prestigious 'Science' magazine (July 13th, 1979), by W.H. Lehn of the University of Manitoba, suggests that atmospheric conditions can distort observations and photographs, creating mirages. Lehn's research indicates that ideal conditions for spotting monsters (calm water, light winds) are also ideal for mirages. He provides examples of distorted images seen on lakes, supporting his theory that some 'monster' sightings might be familiar phenomena distorted by atmospheric refraction.

Lehn's report aims to sharpen optical observation techniques and provide another stage of evaluation before accepting observations as unequivocal evidence, without discrediting the existence of unidentified animals.

A related article, appearing in 'New Scientist' (August 2nd, 1979), by Dr. Dennis Power and Dr. Donald Johnson, examines the Loch Ness monster legend. They note that ten years of scientific effort have not yielded definitive proof. The article mentions the famous 'Nessie' picture taken by Lt. Col Robert Wilson in April 1934, which shows a creature with a long neck and small head.

Power and Johnson's own research concerns vertebrate evolution and distribution, particularly the possibility of a land bridge between the Northern Channel Islands of California and the mainland during the Pleistocene era. They discuss fossil pygmy mammoths on the islands as evidence for such a bridge. However, their research suggests that mammoths may have swum across shorter distances between islands and the mainland.

This leads to a discussion of elephant swimming capabilities, citing reports from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, and Kenya, as well as a story of an elephant lost at sea off South Carolina. A film taken in Sri Lanka shows an elephant and calf swimming, and an enlargement is claimed to bear a striking similarity to the Wilson photograph. The authors suggest that the 'Nessie' legend might be a composite of reports of swimming elephants, or that the Wilson picture is from another location.

The authors of the 'New Scientist' article conclude that while their theory doesn't account for all sightings, it raises questions about the evidence. The Nessletter author expresses concern about the damage such articles can cause due to the respected positions of their writers.

Other Notes and Editorial Stance

The author mentions that the season has been dogged by misfortune, including illness back home and technical problems with equipment. Charlie Wyckoff, a photography and film expert, developed a high-ASA film that required special chemicals, but a test strip had to be discarded. The article highlights that many people involved in these investigations are amateurs who balance their efforts with their professional lives.

The newsletter concludes with a request for news and views from readers, providing contact information and subscription details.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigations into the Loch Ness Monster, the challenges and methodologies employed by researchers, and the critical examination of scientific theories that attempt to explain phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of genuine unexplained phenomena while also being critical of potentially misleading or dismissive scientific theories, such as the 'elephants and mirages' hypothesis. There is a clear emphasis on the need for rigorous evidence and a balanced approach to interpretation.