Nessletter - No 068 - 1985

Magazine Overview

Title: Ness Information Service Newsletter
Issue: No 68
Date: February 1985
Publisher: Ness Information Service
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0264-7001

Main Content

Rip's Piece

The editor, 'Rip', reflects on the longevity of the Ness Information Service (NIS) and its newsletters, now entering their eleventh year. He expresses gratitude to members for their feedback and encourages them to continue sending news, even if it seems familiar. A sad piece of news is the death of Jeoff Watson, a long-time NIS member since 1977, who passed away in October. Watson had undertaken numerous expeditions to Loch Ness and other sites associated with unidentified water creatures. In September 1977, he photographed a wake on Loch Ness near Inverfarigaig, which, while not definitive proof, provided inspiration. Rip notes Watson's death at a young age (early twenties) as a great tragedy.

The editor also addresses the variation in the newsletter's production quality over the past year. To reduce costs and maintain subscription rates, he purchased a duplication machine. While initially facing challenges with stencil quality, he has found a solution through a local Small Business Service firm. He hopes to achieve a consistent and acceptable standard going forward and apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

Subscription rates remain unchanged for the U.K. at £2.50 (no rise since 1982). Due to the sterling/US dollar situation, North American subscriptions are reduced to $7.00, with a corresponding adjustment in the number of newsletters sent.

Member Contributions and Reports

Steven Cooper's Irish Lake Experience: Steven Cooper, a coarse angler, shared an account from a book by Barrie Richards and Ray Webb about an incident in 1971 on Puttiaghan Lake, Belturbet, Ireland. While fishing from a longboat, they witnessed violent agitation of lily pads, described as "swinging and swaying like palm trees taking the full blast of a roaring hurricane." This activity rocked the boat and uprooted several large lily pads. A photograph in the book showed an angler holding a large, uprooted lily pad.

Mike Dash's Letter: Mike Dash contributed a letter discussing the 'Giant Leech' theory, noting that the BBC's 'Flight of the Condor' series reported a 20-inch leech, not the larger version sometimes proposed for Loch Ness. Dash also included two accounts of sea serpent strandings from a Victorian magazine ('Literature, Art and Amusement'):

• 1819, Bombay: A 40ft sea serpent was washed ashore by a gale, weighing many tons and causing a significant stench that took nine months to rot.
• 1833, near Lareds (Burgos, Spain): A marine monster, described as a 'sea hog' with fins, was found. It was 4 yards long, corpulent, scaleless, and weighed 35 arrobas (875 lbs), sold for oil.

Dash notes these accounts are inconclusive but interesting.

Roland Watson and the 'Mokelembembe': The newsletter references an article in the BBC Wildlife magazine (December 1984) about the 'Mokelembembe,' dinosaur-like creatures reported in the Congo. The article summarized sightings and Roy Mackal's 1980/81 expeditions. Roland Watson suggested two approaches for 'active' monster hunters: participating in evidence procurement or researching old newspapers for forgotten reports. He highlighted the Mitchell Library in Glasgow as a resource, which has yielded reports of a sea serpent in Loch Ryan around 1934.

Henry H. Bauer's Research: Henry H. Bauer wrote about his upcoming visit to Loch Ness from late March to mid-May. He is organizing his extensive files on Loch Ness and seeking assistance from NIS/LNI members. He plans to enter information onto computer diskettes for easier retrieval and suggests that the University Library at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, could be a suitable repository for such materials, along with contributions from Roy Mackal and Alan Gillespie.

Seal Sighting in Loch Ness: The Highland News reported a seal sighting in Loch Ness in December 1984. Dr. Gordon Williamson, a marine biologist, observed a black head appear near Abriachan Pier. The seal was identified as a common seal, about five feet long, with an upturned nose. It was believed to have entered the loch via the River Ness. Jim Skeidon of Dores also reported seeing the seal on January 15th, 1985, near Whitefield, noting its distinctive movement and interaction with fishermen.

Critique of 'The Skeptical Inquirer' Article: The newsletter mentions receiving a response from Bob Rines regarding an article by Razdan and Kielar in 'The Skeptical Inquirer' (Winter 1984/85). This article criticized early sonar work by Marty Klein and the 'flipper pictures.' Bob's response reportedly covers all aspects and criticizes the authors for a lack of research and for selectively using facts.

NIS at the Loch

Upcoming Trips: Alastair and Sue Boyd plan to be at Strone Point over Easter and possibly at Foyers Hotel, returning for four weeks in July/August. Roger Acraman and Dave Calvert intend to visit Loch Ness in April or June, staying in the Fort Augustus area. Dave Bennett and a friend plan to spend a year at Loch Ness, starting in the spring, arranging accommodation in Fort Augustus.

NIS Meeting: James Baldwin has received about 24 replies regarding a proposed NIS meeting. A form is enclosed for members to return to him.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently features reports of alleged sightings and historical accounts related to lake monsters and sea serpents, with a particular focus on Loch Ness. The editor, 'Rip', maintains a stance that encourages the sharing of all information, emphasizing that even seemingly familiar reports can be valuable. While acknowledging the importance of a healthy skepticism, the editor expresses disapproval of those who actively seek to debunk findings without considering all evidence. The publication also highlights efforts to improve its own production and accessibility, while keeping subscription costs stable. There is an ongoing effort to document and preserve evidence and research related to cryptozoology, with contributions from various researchers and observers.