Nessletter - No 109 - 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: NESSLETTER
Issue: 109
Date: February 1992 (with a note about July '92)
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0264-7001

This issue of the NESSLETTER, a publication from the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE, delves into various aspects of unexplained phenomena, with a particular focus on Loch Ness. It features correspondence, reports on scientific projects, and accounts of sightings.

Dick Raynor's Commentary on the 'Raynor Film' and Photography

Dick Raynor contributes his thoughts on the 'Raynor Film', an event from June 13th, 1967, related to the Loch Ness Investigation. He notes that his interpretation of the film changes every five years, with possibilities ranging from a family of Grebes to a seal, or even a large unknown animal. Raynor also shares his expertise on photography, explaining how to produce convincing fakes by manipulating backgrounds and models. He critiques the 'Gargoyle Set' photographs, suggesting they do not fit the descriptions and may have been enhanced. Raynor offers a specialized photo processing service for those needing assistance with difficult photographic conditions, including those requiring special processing facilities, provided Kodachrome slide film is not used.

Dick's Other Interests and Activities

Beyond photography, Dick is pursuing an Amateur B Licence for radio communication and has CB and Marine Band equipment, offering to help NIS members establish communication systems. He is also an Auxiliary Coastguard and recently encountered Adrian Shine of Ecos during a patrol on Loch Ness.

Concerns Regarding 'Animal' Evidence in Loch Ness

Dick expresses annoyance with Andreas Trottmann's reference to 'animals' in Loch Ness, emphasizing the lack of concrete evidence. He stresses the importance of careful wording and warns against becoming mere fanatics if the search for animals is insisted upon without solid evidence. He advocates for a scientific approach, suggesting the measurement of magnetic, gravitational, and electric fields, and monitoring the entire electromagnetic spectrum from DC up to Gigahertz ranges.

Fatality on Loch Ness

The newsletter reports a fatality on July 1st, where a man, identified as 66-year-old Alastair Fraser, a retired sales representative and experienced angler, was found dead in his boat on Loch Ness. The alarm was raised when he failed to return. A helicopter and police were involved, and the Auxiliary Coastguard located the boat. The incident is being investigated by the Procurator Fiscal. Another incident from September involved a holidaymaker who slipped into the water near Fort Augustus and was found dead.

Project Urquhart

Nick Witchell provides an update on Project Urquhart (P.U.). The first phase involves a scientific survey vessel, MV SIMRAD, arriving on Loch Ness for up to three weeks. This vessel is equipped with Simrad sonar equipment for a comprehensive hydrographic survey, the first since 1903. The survey will use a Simrad EM 1000 swath bathymetry system. Additionally, a Simrad EK 500 echo sounder will be used by scientists from the Freshwater Biological Association to study fish populations. An ultra-low-light underwater video camera developed by Osprey Electronics will also be deployed on a remote-operated vehicle (ROV), along with side-scan sonar, to study the loch's walls and bed, and potentially reveal geological data about the Great Glen.

Scientific Personnel's Views on Loch Ness Research

Scientific personnel involved in Project Urquhart express enthusiasm for the research. Professor Gwynfryn Johnes, Director of the F.B.A., calls Loch Ness 'potentially one of the most exciting such studies undertaken in Britain in recent years'. Professor Colin Curds suggests it is highly likely that new species will be discovered, though he clarifies these are likely to be small creatures like nematode worms.

Loch Ness Project Chemistry Study

A team of 60 students from Wolverhampton Polytechnic conducted a four-day study of Loch Ness, focusing on the chemistry of the peat bogs and feeder streams. By examining sediment, they aim to assess levels of acid, pollution, and metals to build a historical time graph, potentially revealing information about past climatic changes and global warming. Dr. Kate Farr hopes this study will create a textbook history of the loch's chemistry.

Hydrographic Survey and Sonar Effects

Adrian Shine, field leader of the Loch Ness Project, was responsible for a hydrographic survey in December '91. The newsletter explains how sonar beams bend due to water temperature and density variations. Loch Ness develops a strong thermocline in summer, making December the optimal period for such surveys. During the survey, the LNP team investigated the deepest point of the loch, which was established as 754 feet in 1903 by the John Murray Bathymetric Survey. Despite a later report suggesting an area almost 1000 feet deep, no one else has located it. The definitive measurement of the loch floor's depression lies in mid-loch, south of Urquhart Castle, at approximately 734.4 feet.

Concerns about Project Duplication

The author expresses apprehension about potential duplication of work between Project Urquhart and the Loch Ness Project, hoping that Adrian Shine's efforts are not being shelved.

Sighting: Highland News Report

Steve Feltam shares an account from the Highland News (February 29th, 1992) about a possible sighting by Hector MacDonald, an ex-merchant seaman. MacDonald reported a large disturbance in the water on Loch Ness last September. He noticed movement 250 yards off the starboard quarter and observed it through binoculars before taking a photograph. He stated he had seen nothing like it before but did not claim to have seen a monster, leaving it to others to decide. The accompanying photograph is described as poor, showing indistinct ripples and the south shore.

NIS at the Lochside

Doug Macfarlane reports that his wife, Margaret, suffered a small stroke but has largely recovered. He is undertaking modifications to his boat, 'Topcat', and expects to have it back on the loch by July. They managed a couple of days of camera watching and relaxing around the loch in March.

Alastair and Sue Boyd's Visit

Alastair and Sue Boyd plan to visit Loch Ness from July 26th to August 15th. The author hopes to meet them but notes that finances are currently a concern.

Contact Information and Subscription Details

The newsletter provides contact information for R.R.Hepple and subscription rates for the UK and America.

Late News: Video Diary Broadcast

A phone call from Steus Feltham reveals that a Video Diary is to be broadcast on BBC2 on August 1st at 10:10 pm, with a two-page article in the Radio Times.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The NESSLETTER consistently focuses on unexplained phenomena, particularly those associated with Loch Ness, and the scientific investigations attempting to understand them. There is a strong emphasis on evidence-based reporting and a cautious approach to claims, as exemplified by Dick Raynor's commentary. The publication also covers related topics such as UFO sightings and maritime safety. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging reader contributions while maintaining a critical perspective on unsubstantiated claims.