Nessletter - No 073 - 1985

Magazine Overview

Title: NESSLETTER
Issue: 73
Date: December 1985
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
Country: UK
ISSN: 0264-7001

This issue of NESSLETTER focuses on reviews of recent publications and ongoing discussions within the Fortean community, particularly concerning lake monsters and other unexplained phenomena.

Magazines and Books Reviews

'Bilk' Magazine

The newsletter begins by reviewing issues 4 and 5 of 'Bilk', edited by Ulrich Magin. Magin is noted for improving the layout and typing from earlier issues. 'Bilk' is described as an interesting newsletter focused on water monsters and related Fortean matters.

Loch Ness and Early Reports:

Issue 4 of 'Bilk' features an interesting report from the Inverness Courier dated July 1st, 1852. This report details numerous people witnessing two giant creatures in Loch Ness, near Lochend. While some thought it was a sea serpent, others believed it to be a kelpie. However, it was later realized that the creatures were two ponies that had swum from Aldourie. The editor, Ulrich Magin, highlights this report as significant because it provides an early association of a "sea serpent" with Loch Ness, predating the commonly cited 1930s accounts. This challenges the argument from skeptics that there were no newspaper accounts of Nessie before the 1930s.

Issue 5 of 'Bilk' includes two more pre-1930 mentions. One is from W. G. Steward's "Popular Superstitions" (1823, reprinted 1970), which mentions the kelpie of Loch Ness. Another is from the Stuttgarter Zeitung (July 19, 1978), referencing William Thackeray (1811-1863) mentioning the monster of the loch, attributing it to Scottish whiskey and mists. The newsletter suggests that references to 'kelpies' can be attributed to folklore and superstition, as many bodies of water were thought to be homes of spirits, but the "sea serpent" association is considered significant.

'Champ Channels' Newsletter

Joe Zarzynski, editor and publisher of 'Champ Channels', is mentioned. The 1986 subscription for this quarterly newsletter, focused on Lake Champlain, is $10 outside the USA and $9 within the USA. In 1985, there were 14 reported sightings of 'Champ' (the Lake Champlain monster). Lake Champlain is 109 miles long and spans Vermont, New York, and Quebec. Ten sightings were from Vermont waters, and four from New York.

Zarzynski's Lake Champlain Phenomena Investigation (LCPI), of which he is director, conducted 31 days of fieldwork in 1985 using camera gear, sonar, and scuba diving. A report of this work is scheduled for publication in the Cryptozoology Journal in 1986. To subscribe or inquire, the address is ICPI, P.O. Box 2134, Wilton, NY, USA 12866.

Loch Ness Sighting during Wellington Bomber Salvage:

'Champ Channels' number 3 includes news of Joe's trip to Loch Ness to witness the raising of the Wellington bomber. An account of a reported Nessie sighting during this salvage operation is also mentioned, having been reported in local Inverness papers. An unemployed Invernessian, Murdo Urquhart, who had been playing bagpipes at Castle Urquhart, was moved on by authorities. Later, while playing on September 15th for spectators of the salvage operations, Murdo reported seeing something in the loch described as looking "just like a fireman's helmet." The report lacks details, and its explanation is considered questionable.

Fortean Times

Issue number 45 of the Fortean Times is reviewed, noted for being on the usual high standard despite a delay in publication. The editor, Paul Sieveking, apologizes for the lateness. The magazine is praised for its 70+ pages of news and features on Fortean topics, making it a must-have for enthusiasts. The subscription is £6 for four issues, and the address is 96, Mansfield Road, London, NW3 2HX.

'Curious Encounters' by Loren Coleman

A new book by Loren Coleman, "Curious Encounters," published in October, is reviewed. The book covers strange phenomena from North America, Canada, and Mexico, with Coleman having personally investigated the cases. These range from phantom trains and gillmen to urban creatures, sky serpents, sea monsters, aliens, little people, and spooky spots. The reviewer found the book fascinating but somewhat unsatisfying, as Coleman presents cases with little attempt at explanation, adhering to Fortean tradition. This is Coleman's second book, following "Mysterious America." The book includes extensive appendixes listing haunted locations, railway lines with paranormal occurrences, and "magnetic hills." It is written in an easy, story-telling style and is published by Faber and Faber in the US for $9.95, with a UK release expected in early 1986 for about £7.

Books for Sale/Wanted:

David Taylor of 79 Sandringham Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 5HL, has a paperback copy of Dinsdale's "The Story of the Loch Ness Monster" for sale at £1.50 (inc. P.P.).

Member Karl Shuka is looking for copies of "Dragons in Amber" by Willy Ley, "Exotic Zoology" by Viking Press, "Nature Parade" by Frank W. Lane, and Dinsdale's "The Leviathans." Another member is also seeking "The Leviathans," with one offer at £25.

Discussion: Steuart Campbell vs. Erik Beckjord on the Wilson Photograph

Erik Beckjord responds to Steuart Campbell's critique of Col. Wilson. Beckjord acknowledges Campbell's interpretation of his (Erik's) video camera work at Loch Ness but disagrees with his conclusions. Beckjord believes Campbell is employing a "monster-debunker's route" by seeking minor discrepancies in a photographer's story and combining them with plausible natural explanations to discredit the evidence.

Campbell's Arguments:

Campbell's article in the British Journal of Photography (April 1984) is criticized for attempting to discredit Wilson's integrity by comparing his 1934 account with one given twenty years later. Beckjord trusts the fresher 1934 account. Campbell also suggests Wilson shot the photo from a lower angle, implying a shorter distance (30 meters) to the object, rather than the reported 200-300 meters. Campbell's argument about the object's height (.7 meter) and otter tail lengths (.29 to .56 meter, with a maximum of 2.4 meters) is also debated. Campbell admits the second Wilson photo shows a head, not a tail, though he considers the first photo to show a kinky tail.

Beckjord's Counterarguments:

Beckjord argues that Campbell's analysis of the ripple proportions is too vague for angular measurements. He points to the reflection of the monster's head and neck, suggesting that if the angle of depression were greater (as implied by Campbell for an otter), the reflection would be shorter. Beckjord uses the analogy of a salt shaker on a mirror to illustrate how angle affects perceived reflection length. He asserts that the reflected image in the Surgeon's photo is long, indicating a considerable distance and a slight angle of depression.

Beckjord also addresses the location where the photo was taken, noting that Wilson stated it was "just down a bit from 30 metres above the loch." Campbell argues the clear spot was only 9 meters above. Beckjord counters that if the angle was slight, Wilson would need to be higher up for the reflection to appear long.

The Otter Argument:

Beckjord dismisses the otter argument as similar to the Venus=UFOs argument, stating it's an attempt to force a conclusion based on a superficial resemblance. He finds it unlikely that an otter, even a large one, would match the proportions seen, especially if it were floating. He also notes that Campbell admits Wilson knew otters.

Comparison with Other Photos:

Beckjord draws a parallel to two photos taken by Tony "Doc" Shiels of the 'Morgwar' creature in Falmouth in 1976, and photos taken by a skeptical newspaper editor. One of the Morgwar photos reportedly shows a similar silhouette to the second Wilson photo.

Personal Experience and Lens Analysis:

Beckjord shares his personal experience at Loch Ness, familiar with angles of view and wave patterns. He offers his subjective opinion that the object in the Wilson photo is too large to be an otter and the distance is greater than 30 meters. As a cameraman, he believes Wilson used a moderate telephoto lens, possibly twice the power of a standard lens. He compares this to Tony Shiels' 1977 photos of a head and neck taken with a 135mm lens, which did not show the opposite shore. Since Wilson's photo includes part of the opposite shore, Beckjord concludes his lens was at least a moderate telephoto.

Conclusion on Wilson Photo:

Beckjord urges critics like Campbell to focus on the lack of physical remains as the strongest argument against the Loch Ness Monster's existence, rather than dissecting photographic evidence. He believes the photos indicate that some unexplained phenomena exist.

Steuart Campbell's Response

Steuart Campbell responds to a letter from Harry Bauer and the NESSLETTER editor. He questions whether the debate is clarifying matters and asks for the opportunity to respond.

Dinsdale Film and JARIC Analysis:

Campbell clarifies that he has seen the Dinsdale film screened but not the original, which Dinsdale now refuses to release. He notes that while Henry claimed JARIC gave the object's width as 6' or 5', JARIC was unable to estimate a length. Campbell believes JARIC's analysis, highly esteemed by 'pro' researchers, contained serious errors, though his arguments are unpublished.

Wilson Photograph Interpretation:

Campbell reiterates his view that the Wilson photograph resembles an otter's tail, despite Henry's assertion that it's perverse to suggest so. He criticizes Henry for overemphasizing Ian Johnson's disagreement with him (Campbell).

Evidence and Explanation:

Campbell states he has never insisted that all alleged evidence must be explained as non-Nessie. Instead, he believes that when evidence is examined properly, mundane explanations emerge, and these should be preferred over exotic ones.

Labrador Dog Interpretation:

Responding to Tony Shiels, Campbell clarifies that he did not originate the Labrador dog interpretation of the Gray photograph; he believes it originated at the Drumnadrochit exhibition. He agrees that a dog can be seen in the photo and questions whether a dog or an elephant squid is the simpler explanation.

Discrediting Hoaxes:

Campbell warns Shiels that "more can be done than make accusations. Hoaxers are eventually exposed."

Miscellaneous Items

VHS Video Recording:

The author has a VHS video recording of the BBC TV program about the raising of the Wellington bomber and offers it for loan to anyone sending a couple of stamps for postage. The address is RR Hepple, Huntshieldford, St John's Chapel, BISHOP AUCKLAND, Co Durham, DL13 1RQ.

Subscriptions:

UK subscriptions are £2.50, and USA subscriptions are $7.00.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the critical examination of evidence related to unexplained phenomena, particularly lake monsters like the Loch Ness Monster and 'Champ'. There is a strong emphasis on historical research, the analysis of photographic and video evidence, and the debate between those who seek mundane explanations and those who accept more exotic possibilities. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous analysis and skepticism, while acknowledging the existence of unexplained phenomena, as seen in the concluding remarks about the Wilson photograph and the preference for mundane explanations when they emerge from proper examination of evidence.