Nessletter - No 069 - 1985

Magazine Overview

This issue of NESSLETTER, number 69, dated April 1985, is published by NESS INFORMATION SERVICE and features a cover headline about Lake Champlain. The ISSN is 0264-7001.

Travelogue: Lake Champlain

The issue begins with a detailed account of Roger Acraman's visit to the USA and Canada in August. His flight to New York with Virgin Atlantic was unsatisfactory, leading to compensation. He found New York exciting but not a 'trusting city'. After a 13-hour drive to Toronto, he visited Niagara Falls and 'Canadian Wonderland'. His solo trip to Lake Champlain involved a long journey from Albany, with multiple changes, to a small village near Plattsburg, NY. Due to a lack of local transport and having left his driving license in Toronto, he had to walk over five miles to reach the lake. He observed the area around the Plattsburg Memorial, noting it seemed 'dead' with a small working town and oil refineries. The lake surface was mildly choppy, with white-capped waves, and he could see Grand Isle in the distance. Roger used his Pentax ME super camera with various lenses. He felt Lake Champlain offered an 'overwhelming magnitude' and that watching its edges would require a much larger group than at Loch Ness. He compared it to the sea, suggesting it was equally 'futile' for research from a researcher's perspective, though a family could live there due to its size. His short visit ended, and he traveled back to Toronto via Quebec, covering approximately 3-4000 miles, mostly overnight.

Loch Ness Research and Publications

The newsletter then shifts focus to Loch Ness research and related publications.

Joe Zarzynski's Research

An update is provided on Joe Zarzynski's 'Champ Channels' and his research. Joe is getting married in April to Pat Meany, who has been actively involved in his research for five years and is a scuba diver and researcher. His book is scheduled for a second printing. In 1984, there were twelve Champ sightings reported, a decrease from 26 in 1983. The reason for this decline is not theorized.

New Publications

Two publications are highlighted: a novel for young adults titled 'The Champlain Monster' by Jeff Dabziger, which is an illustrated tale of mystery and danger. It is available from Vermont Life. Another publication is 'The Great Sea Serpent Controversy: A Cultural Study' by Paul Lester, a 24-page booklet with 112 references, covering historical and modern sea serpent accounts. It is obtainable from Paul Lester. Theo Brown's book 'Young Explorers of the Sea and Beyond' is also mentioned, documenting adventures and research, including the Loch Ness Monster and psychic phenomena. It is published by World Life Books.

'Bilk' Newsletter

Ulrich Magin from West Germany has sent the first issue of his bi-monthly newsletter, 'Bilk'. The title refers to topics like freshwater monsters, mermaids, sea serpents, and cephalopods. The first issue contains press reports. Subscriptions are £3 in Europe and $5 in the USA. Ulrich, an NIS member since January 1984, visited Loch Ness and met a policeman who reported seeing two large fins in 1976, which shook his skepticism.

Constance Whyte's Book

A copy of Constance Whyte's 'More Than A Legend' is available for sale.

Ian Lyster's Book Review

Ian Lyster sent a review of EH Armstrong's book 'Sticking My Neck Out', which suggests the Loch Ness Monster could be an unknown species of elephant, supporting the theory with diagrams. The book is available from the author.

'Baby' Film

A film titled 'Baby', a fantasy adventure about a couple fostering a young brontosaurus in the African jungle, is mentioned as being released in the UK. It is produced by Touchstone Films and features advanced mechanical models.

Loch Ness Project and Research Controversies

Aidrian Shine's Update

Aidrian Shine provided an update on the Loch Ness Project's work and plans. He commented on the Kielar and Razdan articles concerning the Academy of Applied Science's sonar work. Aidrian explained that horizontal sonar can produce 'doughnut shaped energy patterns' that can be misinterpreted, and that multiple traces often result from turbulence. He addressed the Kielar/Razdan claim that sonar results from August 8th, 1972, were due to investigators rowing, stating that the trace was still present when Bob Rines and Jan Willums got into a boat. Aidrian also discussed the 'flipper' pictures obtained during that trace, and the lack of echo from an umbilical cable, which Kielar/Razdan questioned. Aidrian believes the equipment was bouyed and should have shown on sonar.

Sonar and Photography Analysis

Aidrian also discussed the 1975 underwater elapsed time pictures. Kielar and Razdan claimed these were not taken at the depth stated by the Academy and that the Academy ignored information from Dicky Raynor. Bob Rines responded that while Dick had helped, he was not present. Aidrian suggested that the mooring for the 1975 sonar deployment might have been 20 feet shallower than intended, which could alter the interpretation of the pictures. The MIT Technology Review of March/April 1976 published an account of the Academy's work. Aidrian believes pictures A, B, and D from 1975 might be of the bottom, but C and E are not. He feels Kielar/Razdan attacked the Academy because they felt 'cheated and mislead' after basing their work on the Academy's findings and then finding discrepancies.

Loch Ness Project's Future

Aidrian believes Kielar/Razdan over-reacted. He noted that the Loch Ness Project has been consistently collecting sonar results pointing to 'something unusual'. They plan to deploy a similar mooring in the northern deepwater basin this year. A new scheme is being offered for older volunteers, using guest houses instead of spartan field conditions, with a cost of around $220 per week.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently covers a range of topics within the ufology and cryptozoology communities, including personal travelogues related to potential lake monsters, reviews of books and publications, and detailed discussions of research methodologies and controversies surrounding famous cases like the Loch Ness Monster. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, presenting different viewpoints and research findings, while also offering critical analysis and personal reflections. There is a clear emphasis on reporting on ongoing research projects and the latest developments in the field.