Nessletter - No 110 - 1992

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER, number 110, dated April 1992 (with a September 1992 cover date), ISSN 0264-7001, details the author's experiences during a 'Sunday Magazine Expedition '92' to Loch Ness. The publication is from the UK and written in English.

Sunday Magazine Expedition '92

The author recounts being contacted by Christina Kent, preparing an article for the 'Sunday Magazine' supplement 'The Heus of The World'. The assignment involved assisting 'monster-hunters' and obtaining photographs. The author was put in touch with Pat Moore, who was handling the assignment. Initially, the author was hesitant due to work commitments and costs, but the magazine agreed to cover travel expenses.

The expedition began on Friday, July 24th, with the author meeting Steve Feltham and Simrad Personnel at Fort Augustus. The M.V.Simrad was out on the loch, but the author had a chance to inspect its equipment, including over 80 jars of bottom samples collected from the top 15cm of sediment, which were hoped to contain 'new nematode' specimens. Teams from the Natural History Museum and the Freshwater Biological Association were concluding their stay, having gathered extensive data. The author was impressed by the Instrument Room, featuring numerous sonar screens and navigational systems, including fish-finding sonars, echo-sounders, multibeam sonars for mine and submarine detection, and a sub-bottom profiling system. The printout of an underwater map, showing a grid shaped to the loch's contours, was also observed. The Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) was non-operational, and a compass fault had caused it to be lost track of when submerged.

After a pleasant afternoon, the author drove to Abriachan, stopping briefly at Strone to see Andreas and Angela Trottmann. Andreas noted the rough weather made useful echo-sounder work difficult. He planned to return the following year. The author met a young Frenchman at Fort Augustus who had read Jean Berton's book 'les monstres du loch ness et d'ailleurs' and was also 'monster hunting'. They shared a discussion.

Personal Encounters and Observations

The author spent time with the Simrad personnel, observing their work with cameras and equipment. Nick Hitchell was present, assisting with a video camera mounted on a tripod to be placed on the loch floor, intended to provide a 3D picture viewable with special glasses. This was part of a Simrad programme for customers, with the intention of using the ROV to inspect the rig.

On Sunday, the author visited the Loch Ness Project's HQ again. Adrian Shine was feeling better. Discussions included media reports about Urquhart, and the discovery of a new layer of marine life identified in 1972, which forms in May and disperses in September, exhibiting a diurnal migration pattern. The layer of small fish, about 2cm, seemed too large for plankton, and their behavior was unusual. The Project was continuing to study this layer. It was suggested that Urquhart had found a new layer that the Project had known about for years, indicating underlying friction.

On Monday afternoon, the author met Alastair and Sue Boyd at Strone. The author then met Pat Moore and her photographer, Rod Ebden, at the Clansman. They later visited Que and Alastair Boyd. Rod Ebden was introduced to Alastair, and it turned out Rod had a talent for photography for five years, and respected Alastair.

On Tuesday morning, Andreas took Rod out in his boat to Temple Pier to film the castle.

Further Research and Sightings

On Wednesday, the author spent time at Dores, meeting Steve Feltham and Rod for last-minute note-taking and packing. They had collected varied material and photographs for an article expected in October. The author also noted another overcast, windy morning and spent time shopping in Inverness.

Mike, a friend of Steve's, was staying at the lochside. Steve had received positive feedback on his 'Video Diary', with visitors seeking him out. He expressed a desire for the 'mystery' to die down so he could return to a quiet life, but stated he was serious about his research. He had heard of six local sightings but had not interviewed witnesses. His video camera was showing its age, and he was seeking a replacement.

On Thursday morning, the author attended a NIS general meeting and then went to Strone. Andreas and Margaret Macfarlane, with her son Alan, visited from their cottage overlooking Urquhart Bay. Margaret was looking well but still recovering. Doug said she was much better but needed to take care.

Nick Witchell, an NIS member and cameraman, arrived. He had been compiling a film/tape record of Urquhart and wished to have a sighting on record. It was suggested that Project Urquhart might eventually produce a documentary.

Project Urquhart and Sonar Findings

Friday morning involved a visit to the Project's HQ in Drumnadrochit for the winding-up press conference of Operation Urquhart. A video of the operation was shown. Various pieces of equipment were described, but nothing particularly captured the press's attention. However, the discovery of 'targets' on the loch floor, spaced 60 meters apart and standing some height from the bottom, seemed to come from Folars and follow the south shore to opposite Invermoriston, then angle across the loch. These were described as obviously man-made. Enquiries about pipe lines, cables, etc., were made, but the short time available prevented finding an explanation. Suggestions included mine moorings from WWI and the 'PLUTO' prototype, a 'Fire Line Under The Ocean' used by the Allies in WWII. The article notes that if a trial run had been made across the loch, it would have been top secret, and thus no publicity would have been generated. This added another mystery to the loch.

It was reported that only 5% of the 8 million soundings taken for the underwater map had been processed, and several weeks of computer time would be needed for the finished article.

Sonar Target and Further Mysteries

On Tuesday, July 28th, the M.V.Simrad, cruising at 7 knots towards Fort Augustus, detected a strong echo from a 'loud' target when between Foyers and Invermoriston. The sonar picked up the target and held it for two minutes. The target gave an echo way up on the color range, but no one could, or would, say for certain what caused it. The conference highlight was the secondary information, which was a shame as much good work had been done. It was hoped this might help attract more sponsors for further work, as Urquhart intended to return the following year.

The author's particular sonar 'looks' forward 4 miles. The target could have been the result of spurious echoes from the steep side, the bottom, or a fixed midwater target. The sonar had been used over the same area on a number of occasions. The question of what caused the strong echo remained.

Personal Reflections and Other News

The author's stay concluded on Saturday. The author did not have the canoe to return to Donnie's, as it had not been collected. A friend, Scottie, a workboat that had undergone refurbishment costing £33,000, was mentioned as no longer carrying passengers due to new legislation, but would still be used for other purposes.

In his collection of nematodes, Mr Wainless from the Natural History Museum had encountered teething troubles with a silt sampling device. The Project's gear and boat were offered but declined.

It was noted that Urquhart's claim of having the first 'complete' hydrographic survey of the loch since 1903 was technically correct. There were hopes to equip a cruiser to go round the loch, but this did not happen. The survey focused on the deep basins below 50m. A narrow cleft in the bottom near Urquhart Castle was mentioned, which even the equipment Urquhart was using did not clearly indicate.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently focuses on the Loch Ness Monster phenomenon, scientific investigations into the loch, and the activities of various research groups and individuals. There's a strong emphasis on reporting sightings, sonar data, and the challenges of documenting evidence. The author's personal involvement and observations add a narrative layer to the scientific and journalistic reporting. The publication appears to maintain an open, albeit cautious, stance towards the possibility of a large, unknown creature in Loch Ness, while also acknowledging the scientific efforts to understand the loch's ecosystem and potential mysteries. The inclusion of UFO-related discussions suggests a broader interest in unexplained phenomena.