Nessletter - No 056 - 1983

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
Issue: No 56
Date: February 1983
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of the Nessletter, published by the Ness Information Service, provides an update on the Loch Ness phenomenon, focusing on research, member experiences, and theoretical discussions. The publication aims to keep its members informed about the ongoing search for the creature and related investigations.

Editor's Note

The editor reflects on the past year (1982), noting that it was not 'the year' for definitive discoveries despite the work of many people. While sonar work proved productive, media attention was twice negative, with theories in the 'New Scientist' suggesting 'otters' or 'decomposing tree trunks'. The editor expresses pleasure that a subsequent article in the 'New Scientist' (February 17, 1983) by Adrian Shine, field leader of the Loch Ness and Morar Project, redressed the situation. Shine's article detailed their 1982 work and findings, along with background information on the loch.

The editor mentions that general news about the Project has been covered in the Nessletters, with Adrian providing details. Back issues are available for purchase. The Project has a full program planned for 1983 and is seeking volunteers. The editor emphasizes the worthwhile nature of this work and directs interested individuals to contact the Project at The Loch Ness Centre, Drumnadrochit, Inverness-shire.

Last season, the Project established 40 sonar contacts with characteristics that could not be explained by fish or side echoes, indicating that their steady approach and careful groundwork are paying off. Adrian Shine is quoted as saying, "We have not found monsters, and we have not disproved them, but have shown that there is still a case to answer."

The editor thanks the members for their support, acknowledging that they are the essence of NIS. Feedback is encouraged, and while membership is static, dropouts are replaced by new members. Members are urged to spread the word to others with similar interests. The editor apologizes for any unanswered questions and invites members to share their plans for trips to the loch, offering to include dates and areas in the Nessletters, and suggesting members might join forces.

NIS at the Lochside

This section features letters from members who visited Loch Ness. Kenneth Croal of Edinburgh spent four days at the loch in May and one day in August without success but plans to return in May 1983 and also visit Loch Morar. Kenneth also shared an account picked up while camping near St. Abbs Head, Scotland, about a local fishing family's encounter.

A granny from the fishing family, around seventy-five years old, asked Kenneth if he had been to 'Fort William'. When he confirmed he had passed through it en route to Loch Ness, she became suspicious. She then shared a story about her late husband, a fisherman, who had seen the monster many years ago. While on watch on a fishing boat near the Caledonian Canal, he saw the creature rear out of the water with a "lang neck and a wee heid, and was black". He was terrified and did not shout for the others. The family swore the account was true. Kenneth believes it was a genuine account and hopes to find other crew members to get more details.

Kenneth recommends that members talk to people about 'Nessie', as they may be surprised by the information they uncover in unlikely places.

Valerie Smith reported on her trip to the loch last June, visiting the exhibition at Drumnadrochit, which she found impressive. Although she did not see 'Nessie', she spoke to a man on a bus who admitted to seeing something in the loch but was reluctant to share details due to other passengers' reactions. Valerie echoes Kenneth's point that many local sightings might go unreported. The editor adds a caution that some locals may deliberately mislead outsiders.

Doug Macfarlane from Largs, Ayrshire, detailed his four trips to the loch in the past year. He stayed in Inverness and had a week aboard the 'New Atlantis' in October, based at Borlum Farm campsite with the boat kept in Urquart Bay. Despite poor weather, they managed 4 to 6 hours of searching daily, mostly in the northeast end of the loch. Doug had no sightings but recorded eight underwater contacts with large, mid-water targets using sonar and a colored video echo-sounder. He plans to continue underwater work in 1983 and hopes for another trip on the 'Atlantis'. He emphasizes the importance of sonar interpretation and notes the clarity of underwater video footage, suggesting it could be a useful medium for underwater searches. They observed fish and eels, some quite large.

Doug points out that low season rates of about £250 for a week's search, split four ways, are comparable to other boating holidays, and the underwater search equipment is first-class. He now has a vehicle capable of towing his caravan and hopes to spend more time at the loch in 1983.

News from Members and Expeditions

Nick Witchell visited the loch in early December with Ivor Newby and Holly Arnold. He met Adrian Shine, who was preparing for the 'Loch Ness Monster Exhibition' tour. Nick hopes to return in the spring and later in the year, but his work with the BBC prevents long-term planning.

Martin Shipp from Highworth, Wiltshire, is planning a week aboard the 'New Atlantis' from May 14th to 21st, 1983, with three others. He invites any members at the loch during that period to join them for a chat.

John Essex from Redditch is planning an expedition, with dates yet to be decided. He has three boats: a twin-hulled inflatable with a 4 hp engine, a 9-foot Avon inflatable, and a 13-foot speedboat. The plan involves drifting and looking, using a hydraphone to listen for sounds and recording them. John has been in touch with Roger Parker of Partech, who believes animals in the loch have means of communication and hopes to obtain two loch bed monitoring records in the spring. John is also building fishtraps and hauling gear for deep water fishing, hoping to catch the 'white mice' filmed in August 1981. He also plans live-baiting, possibly using pike tethered below a buoy.

The editor plans to be at the loch with family in late July or early August.

Reaction

This section addresses responses to theories presented in a previous issue (NIS 55). Lionel Leslie, aged 83, active in the monster search, shares his thoughts. His latest book is delayed but expected soon. Lionel suggests considering space/time dimensions as a possible explanation, noting that this concept is now explored by scientists. He references Professor H.T. Flint's work on quantum equations and fields, and Ivan Sanderson's 'In Search of the Unknown', which also considers this idea. Arthur Koestler is mentioned for his views on 'superspace' or 'hyperspace'.

The editor humbly suggests that if tunnels in hyperspace are established, it could explain the sudden appearances of Nessie and other creatures in our space/time dimension.

George Andrews from Newcastle-upon-Tyne finds the 'Tulpa' theory unconvincing, questioning how sonar would pick up a 'materialized thought form'. He agrees with Ted Holiday's thinking on the subject. George puzzles over how a creature living at 700 feet depth can surface without distress, suggesting it might be due to internal gas release, causing humps to collapse. He proposes that lower pressures near the surface could cause distention and increased buoyancy in an invertebrate, leading to involuntary surfacing. He also notes that calm surfaces make sightings more likely.

Alice Bjornstad shares similar questions about the 'tulpa' theory, wondering how it would register on sonar. She sees evidence pointing to something more physical. Recalling her childhood experience with leeches in a pond, she notes their ability to change shape and swim like snakes, drawing a parallel to the Hugh Gray photograph. She questions if Nessie is an air breather, as suggested by Mr. Skeldon, and suggests that like turtles, Nessie might surface briefly, making sightings rare in a large loch.

Conclusion and Membership Information

The editor concludes the newsletter, thanking members and encouraging them to continue sending news and views. Information on back issues and subscription rates is provided: UK £2-50, North America $9, other areas on request. The editor's address is R.R. Hepple, Huntshieldford, St Johns Chapel, Bishop Auckland, Co Durham DL13 1RQ.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing research efforts by the Loch Ness and Morar Project, the importance of sonar technology, and the collection of eyewitness accounts. The editorial stance is one of cautious optimism, acknowledging the lack of definitive proof while highlighting the continued evidence and the value of persistent investigation. The newsletter actively encourages member participation and the sharing of information, fostering a community dedicated to understanding the Loch Ness phenomenon. Theoretical discussions, ranging from biological explanations to more speculative concepts like hyperspace, are also a significant feature, reflecting the diverse approaches to the mystery.