Nessletter - No 051 - 1982

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
Issue: No 51
Date: April 1982
Publisher: R R Hepple (Editor)
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of the Ness Information Service newsletter, dated April 1982, covers various aspects of aquatic mysteries and research, with a strong focus on Loch Ness and other Scottish lochs. It includes updates on expeditions, sightings, and research programs.

Tall Ship Expedition on Loch Ness

The lead article details a significant development for the Loch Ness and Morar Project (LN&MP). David James reports on a collaboration with Mariners International (MI), an organization that charters sailing ships. In 1982, the British registered gaff schooner 'Stina' will operate on Loch Ness.

The 'Stina' is a 107-foot vessel built in Finland in 1946, with a beam of 22 feet and a draft of 6.5 feet. It has a history of various uses, including carrying cargo, as a liquor smuggler, and an inter-island church ship. It is now owned by skipper Michael Little and his mate Hilary, and has been refitted with a 100hp diesel auxiliary engine and re-rigged. The ship has 12 trainee berths and 4 crew berths.

The 'Stina's' unconverted after hold is suitable for a laboratory or specialized equipment. It also possesses a powerful deck winch and ample generating capacity. These features, combined with its size allowing passage through the canal into the loch and its ability to handle rough conditions, make it an ideal research vessel. The LN&MP will provide scientific equipment, including advanced video recording sonars, bottom corers, bathythermographs, and an underwater TV camera, supported by a scientific crew of two. MI is providing the ship and its crew.

The 'Stina' will operate for four or five weeks during the autumn, with specific dates mentioned: September 11th-17th, September 18th-24th, September 25th-October 2nd, October 3rd-8th, and possibly the following week. The cost per week is approximately $168, with potential reductions for block bookings. Interested parties can contact Mariners International at 58 Woodville Road, New Barnet, Herts, EN5 5EG.

The expedition's scope is not limited to 'monster hunting' but will also investigate the normal ecology and micro-zoology of the loch, as well as scanning for larger objects. Participants will be involved in sailing crew duties, monitoring equipment, and handling gear. They will receive training in seamanship and research program techniques, with scientists offering on-board seminars.

While the 'Stina's' operation is a new initiative, the LN&MP continues its previous programs. Members interested in joining expeditions with the LN&MP can contact them at 61 Bramfield Road, Clapham, London SW11 6RA.

Sydney Wignall's Expeditions

Sydney Wignall provides an update on his extensive expeditions. In early 1981, he led an exploratory air search feasibility trip, followed by a full-scale expedition from August to October involving 15 personnel from England, Scotland, and America. They covered numerous lochs, including Ness, Oiche, Lochy, Shiel, Morar, Quioch, and Arkaig.

Initial attempts used a microlite aircraft with twin floats. Despite carrying a pilot, the drag from the floats made sustained flight difficult. They encountered significant turbulence over the lochs. The first microlite was wrecked in a force 10 storm. The second aircraft capsized at 25 mph during takeoff, with the pilot narrowly escaping. A third 'Eagle' microlite was then used.

Wignall notes that autumn was not ideal for flying due to equinoctial gales, a delay caused by finding aircraft sponsors. They subsequently switched to a conventional aircraft, a 110 h.p. French Rallye, operating from Broadford on Skye or Inverness. These flights were described as extremely risky due to the need to check sightings down to 50 feet, with engine failure potentially leading to a crash landing on water.

Lochs Arkaig and Quioch were found to be fascinating due to their lack of boats and roads. Loch Shiel was particularly troublesome, and they were unable to overfly the North Eastern end of it due to extreme air turbulence, even with the conventional aircraft.

During these expeditions, several 'wakes' were seen and filmed, along with four swimming creatures. A close sighting also occurred while on Loch Morar in a boat.

Loch Morar Sighting (March 3rd, 1981)

During an earlier expedition to Loch Morar in March 1981, Wignall, Dr Bryan Woodward (lecturer at Loughborough University of Technology), and John Evans (professional photographer) were on a rigid-hulled inflatable. While returning to moorings near Morar village, a leak caused the fiberglass hull to fill with water, reducing their speed to about 5 knots. At 3:30 pm, mid-loch and west of Brinacory island, with calm conditions, Wignall observed two humps or projections.

These objects were about 100 yards astern and twenty yards off to starboard, traveling in the same direction as the boat at 3-4 knots. The first hump was approximately 4 feet long and 1 foot high, appearing slightly triangular. A gap of no more than three feet separated it from a rear protrusion, described as being like a human hand held upright. Both objects appeared black.

Wignall attempted to approach the objects by turning to starboard. When less than 75 yards separated them, the objects 'sounded' and were not seen again. Woodward observed the objects for about 20 seconds, and Wignall and Evans for about 17 seconds.

Experiments the following day confirmed the objects were not part of the boat's wake. The speed of 3-4 knots ruled out inanimate explanations like 'marsh gas' or 'waterlogged tree trunks'. The size and shape suggested an animate object of considerable proportions. Wignall noted that the rear protrusion was not a hump but more like a hand. He later drew parallels with illustrations in Dr Roy P Mackal's 'The Monsters of Loch Ness', suggesting a plesiosaur-like creature with a rhomboidal tail fin.

Wignall and Woodward are described as trained observers with extensive archaeological and exploration experience. The sighting was not seen by all on board simultaneously, with Wignall, Evans, and Woodward having different observation times and initial perceptions.

Wignall's reputation as an archaeologist is highlighted, making a hoax unlikely given his established career and involvement in locating nine wrecks and leading six archaeological expeditions since 1968.

Further Expeditions and Aircraft

Mr Wignall plans to return to the hunt in 1982 with a new two-seater microlite aircraft, featuring a 40 h.p. engine. They also hope to have a conventional, wheeled undercarriage aircraft, and possibly a Cessna on twin floats. Their focus will be on lochs Morar, Shiel, Arkaig, and Quioch, avoiding Ness, Oiche, and Lochy due to excessive traffic and 'red herrings'. Sightings from 1500 feet on Loch Ness had to be checked down to 50 feet, often proving to be floating debris.

Airship Survey

As part of a nationwide tour, the Goodyear airship 'Europa' was scheduled to fly up the Great Glen between Fort William and Inverness in early June. It would overfly Loch Ness with a team of scientists conducting aerial sampling, photography, and photogrammetric tests for various environmental agencies. Dr James Buchanan of Napier College was coordinating the research aspects, with Tim Dinsdale also involved.

Comments

Letters from Janet and Colin Bord expressed interest in the views of Bill Paintin, Roland Watson, and Mrs McNish. Research for their book 'Alien Animals' led them to consider psychic explanations for lake monster phenomena, citing 265 lakes worldwide with reported monsters. They suggest that if physical explanations fail, scientists may explore the 'paraphysical'.

Mrs McNish reiterated her belief that her sightings were solid and real, witnessed by three others. She feels her psychic ability allows her to 'will' creatures into her presence, noting people she hasn't seen in months appearing within 24 hours of her thinking of them.

Books

Tony Healy is working on his second book, covering Ness, Morar, Yeti, and items from Malaysia. His first book, on Bigfoot and Canadian Lake Monsters, is with the publishers.

Tim Dinsdale's 'Loch Ness Monster' has been re-published in its Fourth Edition, including new facts, interpretations, and an assessment of the current state of research.

Subscription and Contact Information

The newsletter concludes with a reminder for readers to send in news and views. The editor's address is R R Hepple, Huntshieldford, 35 Johns Chapel, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham, DL13 1RQ. Subscriptions are UK £2.50 and USA/Canada $9.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing scientific and amateur investigations into lake monsters, particularly the Loch Ness Monster, and the exploration of unexplained phenomena. There is a clear emphasis on detailed reporting of expeditions, sightings, and research methodologies. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded inquiry, presenting various perspectives, including the potential for psychic explanations, while grounding reports in observational data and scientific collaboration. The newsletter actively encourages reader participation and contributions, fostering a community of researchers and enthusiasts.