Nessletter - No 141 - 2001

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER
Issue: 141
Date: November 2001
ISSN: 0204-7001
Price: UK £2.75. USA $10.00

This issue of the Nessletter, published by the Ness Information Service, covers a range of topics related to unexplained phenomena, focusing primarily on lake monsters, UFOs, and paranormal theories. The editor, Rip, presents various reports and opinions from researchers and members.

De Je Vue

The issue opens with a postscript referencing Jan Sundberg and a 1974 report about an exorcism at Loch Ness that also involved UFO sightings. Jan Que-Sundberg reported seeing a grey cigar-shaped object land near Foyers, with a crew emerging and re-boarding. Ted Holiday also experienced paraphysical phenomena at Strone.

Andreas Trottmann's Loch Trip

Andreas reports on a trip to Loch Ness in early July, where he recorded underwater sounds with a hydrophone. He noted the astonishing variety of sounds, including boat engines and aircraft, suggesting these might deter a shy creature. He also mentions a sighting by an acquaintance of an elderly local gentleman at Inverfarigaig. During his stay, Andreas observed two Royal Navy vessels performing a sharp 360-degree turn, a maneuver he suggests is used for sonar verification. He also discusses photographs taken by James Gray, noting skepticism from some who suggested a floating log, and remarks on the limited number of shots taken. Andreas concludes his report with a pleasant sighting of dolphins in the Beauly Firth.

Lough Ree Monster Expedition

This section details plans for an international exploration team, the Global Underwater Search Team (GUST), to search for the Lough Ree monster in Ireland. The lake is described as the middle of three great Shannon lakes, 17 miles long with a maximum depth of 120 feet. The article mentions historical sightings dating back to St Mocha of Balla and a documented report from 1960 by three Catholic priests describing an eel-shaped creature. The GUST team, led by Jan Sundberg, visited Lough Ree in June 2001 to plan their expedition. They used computers and a hydrophone, recording a faint animal sound on June 25th, which they compared to sounds recorded in Norway and suggested might resemble a plesiosaur. The editor expresses skepticism about the GUST team's methods, noting that similar hydrophone work was done decades earlier by Bob Love and Ike Blonder.

Earthquakes and Loch Ness

Dr. Luigi Piccardi, an Italian geologist, presented a theory at an Earth Systems Processes conference suggesting that the Great Glen Fault is key to the Loch Ness legend. He posits that giant gas bubbles released by seismic shifts create disturbances on the water's surface, and miniature earthquakes cause ripples mistaken for humps. Piccardi believes the modern myth originated from seismic activity, citing reports from 1933/34 following a major earthquake. He suggests that only a small fraction of monster sightings are truly mysterious and links geological faults to mythological sites.

Catfish Candidates

Two newspaper snippets propose large catfish as potential candidates for lake monsters. One report from February 2001 describes a five-foot Wels Catfish caught in West Sussex, containing 57 fish. Another from October 2001 mentions a giant catfish in Germany that ate a pensioner's Dachshund.

Bernard Heuvelmans

The passing of Bernard Heuvelmans, the father of Cryptozoology, is noted. Born in France, he studied zoology and was inspired by adventure fiction to research undiscovered animals, publishing "On The Track Of Unknown Animals" and "In The Wake Of Sea-Serpents."

Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid)

This section discusses reports from Lake Bala in North Wales, with reservations about their credibility due to the lake's size and recreational use. Christian Ganzeboer's account of a two-day visit is presented. Llyn Tegid is described as the largest freshwater lake in Wales, situated in Snowdonia National Park. The town of Bala has historical significance. Despite attempts to find information about 'Teggie,' the local name for a monster, the visit yielded little. The lake is noted for wind-surfing and sailing. The editor mentions finding rules for Teggie in a tourist center book, stating the legend is modern and similar to the Loch Ness Monster. A strenuous climb up Aran Fawddwy offered a panoramic view of the lake. The editor reflects on the lake's suitability for aquatic creatures but notes its small size compared to Loch Ness. A single sighting from 1995 by two men from London, reporting a small head and long neck, is mentioned.

More Bala Reports

Further references to Lake Bala are found in older Nessletters. Nessletter 37 (Dec. '80) included a report from the Sunday Express about Mrs. Jones seeing a large, dark, humped shape disturbing the water. A Lake Warden and his deputy also reported seeing a creature with two humps. Nessletter 42 (Oct. '80) mentioned comments from Mrs. Wallis and Mrs. Barbara Death, who found the lake beautiful but small and had heard no reports of unusual activity during their visits.

Erik Beckjord on Nessie Research

Erik Beckjord shares his views on the state of Nessie research as of 2000. He asserts that Nessie is not a physical, flesh-and-blood creature but a paranormal 'shape-shifter,' similar to Bigfoot. He believes that physical searches will never reveal a zoological Nessie. Beckjord suggests that Nessie is composed of 'spirit images' that form a composite entity, capable of splashing and being touched, but not a physical animal. He cites his own films and those of others, as well as UFO photos, as evidence of this paranormal aspect. He also mentions that Ted Holiday and Tim Dinsdale were correct in their assessments.

Editor's Response to Beckjord

The editor strongly refutes Beckjord's claim that Tim Dinsdale believed Nessie was paranormal. The editor states that he worked closely with Dinsdale and corresponded with him for years, and at no time did Dinsdale suggest searching for the paranormal. The editor believes Dinsdale was searching for a physical animal. He recalls Dinsdale using the word 'magical' to describe the loch and its atmosphere, but not in a paranormal sense. The editor concludes that he and Beckjord are at odds on this point.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores the intersection of folklore, eyewitness accounts, and scientific investigation, particularly concerning lake monsters. There is a clear division in perspective between those who believe in physical creatures (like the editor's interpretation of Tim Dinsdale's work) and those who propose paranormal or unconventional explanations (like Erik Beckjord's 'shape-shifter' theory). The editor maintains a critical yet open stance, presenting various theories and reports while offering his own interpretations and refutations, particularly regarding the nature of the Loch Ness Monster and the intentions of past researchers.