Nessletter - No 044 - 1981

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: No 44
Date: February 1981
Publisher: Ness Information Service

This issue of the Nessletter, the first of 1981, reflects on the seven years since its inception and ten years since the establishment of the H.Q. at Loch Ness. The editor expresses amazement at the passage of time and the limited progress in obtaining definitive evidence for the 'Beasties' of Loch Ness.

Editor's Note

The editor begins by noting the seven-year anniversary of the Nessletter and ten years at the Loch Ness H.Q. The note highlights the extensive efforts of Bob Rines and the Academy of Applied Sciences, who in August 1972 produced strong sonar traces and the 'Flipper' photographs. Over the years, other researchers have contributed sonar evidence, but the Academy's linking of sonar with photographic evidence was a significant step. The 1975 photographs, including the 'gargoyle head' picture, are discussed for their bilateral symmetry suggesting a living animal, along with a fuzzy shot of an animal's head, neck, and upper body. Despite continued efforts, the Academy has not produced results as compelling as these earlier findings. The editor also mentions Tony Shiels's two colour slides taken in May 1977 near Castle Urquhart, acknowledging their remarkable quality but also the controversy surrounding their validity due to questioned authenticity, despite Tony's sworn affidavit. A sighting by Mr and Mrs Smith on August 22nd, 1977, near Dores, involved a head and neck sighting filmed with a Prinz T3 Zoom 8mm cine camera, though the results were disappointing due to the film's jumpiness and the object's indistinctness against the choppy water. Jeff Watson's photographs of a wake in September 1978 are also mentioned as exciting but not bringing closer an answer to the question of what the animals are.

The editor recounts the genesis of the newsletter during a trip to Loch Ness in August 1973, where the idea was initially met with skepticism about its long-term need due to anticipated scientific breakthroughs. However, the editor felt there would remain interest even if the animals were positively identified. The first Nessletter was published in January 1974, intended as a communication channel for those with a mutual interest, an exchange of ideas and news. This format has proven successful, with feedback growing over the years, particularly in the last year, despite a lack of reported sightings. The editor concludes that the role of the enthusiast remains vital, as scientists have yet to solve the mystery. Readers are encouraged to share their views and news, especially if visiting the loch, to be included in future issues.

Jeff Watson's Work

This section details the extensive work of Jeff Watson, an enthusiastic amateur investigator who undertook nine expeditions in 1980. His first expedition was to Falmouth Bay in February, involving shore-watching and background research, and he also made contact with the local press. In April, he visited Barmouth Bay in Wales for watching and reviewing reports in the Cambrian News. His 11th expedition took him to Loch Ness, where he spent a week averaging 8 hours of watching daily, covering areas from Invermoriston to Fort Augustus and towards Urquhart Bay. He also contacted the Press and Journal, which published an article about his work.

In July 1980, Jeff travelled to Loch Morar for his first trip, spending the week watching and interviewing locals, including the Ferguson family who reported a strong wake sighting in June 1978. He also interviewed Douglas Lamort, who reported a large disturbance in the water in July 1979. In August, Jeff returned to Loch Shiel for a week of watching and engaging with local residents. He had obtained permission from the Forestry Commission to access previously restricted areas.

Jeff's 12th expedition to Loch Ness began on September 20th, 1980, based in Fort Augustus, with initial watches in the Abriachan area. He then moved along the northern shore towards Foyers and focused on the Fort Augustus to Inchnacardoch Bay area. He made another trip to Wales on October 8th, visiting Bala Lake, where he interviewed Harold Davies, who witnessed a hump-like object in rough water in July 1977.

In late October 1980, Jeff conducted his 13th expedition to Loch Ness, focusing on Urquhart Bay and the southern end of the loch. During this period, on October 25th, he observed three objects in the water near Fort Augustus, initially thought to be driftwood, and on October 28th, he saw two more objects, also identified as flotsam. He took slides of these five objects for practice.

Jeff's final expedition of 1980 was a week-long trip to Falmouth in early November, where he conducted some watching despite poor weather. He also met Tony Shiels to discuss the Cornish monster scene, concluding his field work for the year. Despite his efforts, Jeff was unable to make contact with any unknown creatures. He experimented with various film types (Ektachrome 400, Ektachrome 200, Kodachrome 64) and filters, shooting landscape and wildlife subjects to evaluate combinations. He is expected to return to his investigations in the current year.

Terry Chappell's Film Project

Terry Chappell visited the Ness Information Service on January 28th, sharing his experiences and discussing the 'monster' phenomenon. He had shot approximately 45 minutes of movie film during his trip to Loch Ness, which he intended to edit into a 30-minute documentary-style film. The film would include sound and interviews with local residents, such as Alex Campbell, the ex-water bailiff, and monks from Fort Augustus who have reported sightings. Terry also interviewed Frank Searle, but expressed reservations due to Searle's history of producing faked 'monster' photographs. Terry felt it necessary to include Searle to allow viewers to judge for themselves, given Searle's position as a self-proclaimed authority. A tape recording of Searle's comments was played, which the editor found amusing but also libelous and misrepresentative of the situation at Loch Ness.

The editor showed Terry a postcard purchased in Inverness, which featured a picture attributed to 'Loch Ness Monster 1975, copyright Frank Searle'. The image depicted what appeared to be a tapering tube-like 'tail' emerging from water, which was identified as the tail of a Brontesaurus, also featured in Searle's book. The editor noted that Searle had produced two fake pictures from a single postcard, labeling him a 'charlatan'.

Terry Chappell had also corresponded with the Department of Palaeontology at the British Museum. A reply from Dr. A.C. Milner is reproduced, stating that the museum does not have an official viewpoint on the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon, but that Dr. Milner personally is skeptical due to a lack of firm evidence, suggesting that sightings and photographs are often explained by known phenomena or are discredited as fakes. However, he acknowledges that a few cases of genuine independent observations exist and does not entirely dismiss the possibility of something unusual in the loch. His personal guess for the most likely candidate is very large eels, rather than a plesiosaur.

Dr. Milner provided a book list for further reading on plesiosaurs: 'The Age of Reptiles' by E.H. Colbert (1965), 'Prehistoric Animals' by C.B. Cox (1969), 'The Evolution and Ecology of the Dinosaurs' by L.B. Halstead (1975), and 'Life before Man' by Z.V. Spinar & Z. Burian (1972).

Body on the Seashore

On January 6th, 1981, the editor received a call from the Evening Chronicle regarding an article about an object found by Tom Forrest on Druridge Bay beach in Northumberland. The object, initially thought to be a log, was identified as the decomposed remains of an animal's head and neck, weighing an estimated 170lb. Samples were sent to the MAFF laboratories in Lowestoft, where it was positively identified as a 'Ling', a member of the Codfish family. The recovered specimen was significantly larger than the record Ling caught around British shores, which is 571bs.

New Member and Subscription Information

Ronald McColl, a new NIS member from Glenrothes, Fife, is seeking to organize a trip to Loch Ness in 1981 and wishes to join forces with someone in his area. The newsletter concludes by encouraging members to send in their letters, news, and views, reiterating that they are the NIS. Subscription details are provided: £2.00 for the UK and $8.00 for the USA and Canada. The address for RR Hepple in Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, is also given.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing investigations into the Loch Ness Monster by both amateur and professional researchers, the presentation of photographic and sonar evidence, and the critical evaluation of such evidence, including the identification of hoaxes. The editorial stance is one of cautious optimism and encouragement for amateur involvement, acknowledging the lack of definitive scientific answers while valuing the contributions of enthusiasts. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and faked evidence, as demonstrated by the detailed critique of Frank Searle's work. The newsletter aims to keep its readership informed and engaged with the mystery of Loch Ness.