Nessletter - No 133 - 1998

Magazine Overview

Title: Nessletter
Issue: 133
Date: June 1998
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0204-7001

Content Summary

This issue of Nessletter begins with a letter from Henry Bauer, who shares that his books on the Loch Ness Monster are still in print and available. He mentions teaching a course on science and pseudoscience using Nessie as an example and notes that students often find interesting snippets online, though much of the material is unreliable.

Bauer also references a TV documentary mentioned by Steuart Campbell, which was produced by Nova. This documentary, after investigating tales of alien abduction and spending a summer scanning Loch Ness, concluded that the monster is most likely an ancient species of whale, possibly a basilosaurus. The program aimed to debunk the myth but ended up on the side of believers, suggesting the creature might have swum into the loch from the sea. The show featured eyewitness accounts and expert opinions, including Professor Emily Buchholtz, who discussed the anatomy of prehistoric whales.

The issue delves into sonar findings in Loch Ness, mentioning 'Stone Circles' discovered by Marty Klein in the 1970s, which were thought to be spoil dumped by barges. It also discusses 'footprints' noted by Project Urquhart. The Nova expedition, led by Dr. Robert Rines and involving Charles Wychoff, planned to set up a permanent underwater recording site.

Kirk Wolfinger, producer of the Nova expedition, expressed that if they didn't believe the Loch Ness Monster existed, they would have stated so clearly. He was impressed by the eyewitnesses and former CID chief Ian Cameron's account of a large, elephant-like shape seen in the 1970s.

A significant piece of news is the passing of Charlie Wyckoff in early May 1998. Alastair Boyd shared the sad news, noting Wyckoff's shock and his involvement in the Nova expedition. Wyckoff is remembered for his innovative work and will be mourned by the scientific community.

The issue also revisits the case of Richard White, who received the William Hill 'Best Nessie Sighting of the Year' award for £500. The author expresses skepticism, suggesting White's photographs likely depicted a decaying boat wake with a small dark object, possibly a water bird or flotsam, rather than a monster. Despite this, White's sighting gained significant media attention, leading to contact from Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Andreas Trottmann writes about a previous Nessletter mention and an official-looking paper from the Inverness Town Council that prohibited harming Loch Ness creatures. He and his partner Angela plan to visit Loch Ness again, focusing their sonar searches in the Fort Augustus area.

Martin Wragg, a subscriber, reported a sighting in October 1997 near the Fort Augustus Abbey jetty. He observed a dark, hump-like object in the loch that sank after a few seconds. He took photographs, which were described as good quality but revealed nothing more than a 'black object' that appeared to be a wave or disturbed water. The author notes that Wragg had not seen any boats, making a boat wake unlikely, and suggests the disturbance might have been caused by a flooded river, though the timing and location make this less certain.

Finally, the editor, R.R. Hepple, explains the delay in publishing the Nessletter due to his wife Doris's serious health issues, including a heart attack. He reassures subscribers that they will receive at least six issues and provides his contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the Loch Ness Monster (Nessie), scientific investigation versus pseudoscience, and the reporting of unusual phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of cautious skepticism, particularly regarding sensationalized sightings like Richard White's, while still acknowledging the ongoing interest and research into the Loch Ness mystery. The publication aims to present a balanced view, including eyewitness accounts, scientific findings, and personal correspondence, while also acknowledging the challenges of producing the newsletter due to personal circumstances.