Nessletter - No 074 - 1986

Magazine Overview

Title: NESSLETTER
Issue: NO 74
Date: FEBRUARY 1986
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0264-7001
Country: UK
Language: English

This issue of the Nessletter, marking the start of its twelfth year, expresses gratitude to members for their contributions and views. The editor apologizes for any unanswered queries, attributing them to filing errors.

Rip's Piece: Editor's Introduction

The editor reflects on the past season at Loch Ness, noting it was quiet for organized work. The Academy of Applied Science did not deploy equipment, and the Loch Ness Project had a short season but is developing new craft for future research. Several NIS members visited the loch, including Alice Bjornstad from Indiana, who stayed at Foyers Hotel and engaged in loch-watching and local hikes. While she did not see Nessie, she found the MacDougalls to be good hosts and was disturbed by abrasive attitudes towards differing opinions, as noted in a book she read.

Jayne Coakley from Manchester visited in mid-July, experiencing travel difficulties including clutch failure and a caravan wheel falling off. Her loch-watching was affected by unsettled weather. She reported seeing a dark triangular shape in the water, approximately 2-3 feet wide and not moving with the water's flow, which she could not identify through binoculars but was sure was not a bird. This sighting lasted about two minutes.

Murray Barber and his family visited on September 6th en route to Loch Ness. A long-time member of the old Loch Ness Investigation, he planned to camp and play golf. He reported missing Nessie and a Wellington sighting but not the rain.

Ike Blonder from New Jersey, who previously worked with the Academy of Applied Science, remains interested in their work. He has visited Lake Champlain and heard two witnesses describe a snakelike creature 30-50 feet long with three visible hoops and as thick as a barrel.

David Bennett's plan to spend a year at Loch Ness was affected by his mother's death. He remains interested in visiting the loch again.

Several members are planning trips to Loch Ness in 1986. Sue and Alastair Boyd will be there from March 24th to April 2nd. Johnny Long is seeking to arrange a visit for Spring and Summer, potentially staying at Foyers Hotel or camping. He is also looking to exchange Ted Holiday's "Great Orm of Loch Ness" for "Project Water Horse."

Roger Acraman hopes to visit Loch Ness this summer, possibly from July 7th, after a trip along the South coast. He has new photographic equipment, including a Pentax MX with a databack and a Vivitar 70-150mm zoom lens.

Debates on Evidence and Authorship

The newsletter features extensive discussion and argument regarding the evidence for unidentified animals in Loch Ness. The editor notes the general disinterest from the scientific establishment. Maurice Burton's 1961 book, "The Elusive Monster," was critical but gentle, concluding there was no evidence for plesiosaurs or other prehistoric monsters. In contrast, Tim Dinsdale's book "The Loch Ness Mystery Solved" (1983) is described as abrasive.

Johnny Long suggests that books like Burton's and Binns/Bell's should be welcomed to provide a broader perspective. He believes all books on the subject have flaws but advises against quibbling over minor inaccuracies. He is concerned by approaches that are insulting to those involved.

Concerns are raised about sweeping statements, such as describing the loch floor as "flat as a billiard table." There is also a trend where older photographs become less credible, and their photographers are labeled as hoaxers. The O'Connor photo and Frank Searle's contributions are noted as potentially problematic for the credibility of the issue.

Articles by Rikki Razdan and Alan Kielar in "Discover" magazine (1983) were critical of the Academy of Applied Science's work. Steuart Campbell has been commissioned by the Association for the Scientific Study of Anomalous Phenomena (ASSAP) to write a book on the Loch Ness mystery.

Steuart Campbell's Analysis

Steuart Campbell has published articles claiming the Surgeon's photograph is an otter's tail and Tim Dinsdale's 1960 film was an outboard motor boat. The editor acknowledges that these exchanges may not be productive but illustrate how entrenched supporters of different viewpoints are. The editor states he would never try to convince anyone that Nessie exists, but believes there is sufficient evidence to warrant further investigation.

Campbell's critique of Eric Beckjord's comments in NIS 73 is presented. Campbell asserts that Beckjord misunderstands his motives, stating he only seeks the truth. He argues that Wilson's 1934 account is more consistent with a hoax than the 1955 account, as Wilson specifically went to the Invermoriston area with his camera. Campbell analyzes the Dinsdale ellipse and the angle of depression, suggesting that while reflection length can appear shorter due to viewing angle, this effect is minimal at distances like 30m. He disputes Beckjord's claim that Wilson was looking down at a greater angle, stating the angle was 19 degrees regardless of distance. Campbell also addresses the location problem, claiming the photograph could not have been taken from a spot 30m high, but possibly from one only 9m high. He notes that the road has been improved but follows the old line, and that timber operations are unlikely to have significantly altered the tree distribution in the area.

Doc Shiels' Reaction to Campbell

Doc Shiels reacts forcefully to Steuart Campbell's analysis. Shiels believes Campbell's suggestion that the thing in Hugh Gray's photograph is more like a Labrador Retriever dog than a mollusc is incorrect. He questions why the "simplest" explanation should always be preferred, suggesting it might be due to being "feeble-minded."

Shiels quotes Campbell saying, "Shiels will find out that more can be done than make accusations. Hoaxers are eventually exposed." Shiels interprets this as Campbell calling him a hoaxer. Shiels reiterates his earlier statements from his 1976 book, "The Shiels Effect," where he expressed a love for "spectacular, well-done, psychic hoaxes" and noted that "Hoaxing... myth-making... it's all to do with getting your name in the papers." He admits to being a "trickster, a magician," but insists that his 1977 Loch Ness photographs are genuine.

Shiels predicts Campbell's expose will be a "wearisomely mendacious mess of plottage" and that Campbell will only be able to make "hollow accusations."

Conclusion and Subscription Information

The editor thanks members for their news and views, reminding them that they are always welcome. The newsletter concludes with the editor's address and subscription rates for the UK and USA.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the ongoing analysis and debate surrounding the evidence for the Loch Ness Monster, including photographic and film evidence. There is a clear division between those who believe in the existence of the creature and those who seek to debunk sightings and evidence. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, encouraging members to examine the evidence themselves rather than being convinced by any single viewpoint. The editor emphasizes the importance of continued investigation and the possibility of future proof, while also acknowledging the subjective nature of interpreting phenomena and the potential for hoaxes. The newsletter also touches upon UFO sightings, indicating a broader interest in unexplained phenomena among its readership.