Nessletter - No 145 - 2003

Magazine Overview

This issue of the Nessletter, number 145, dated June 2003, from the Ness Information Service, focuses on anniversaries and ongoing investigations related to Loch Ness. It delves into historical events, recent sightings, and the efforts of researchers.

John Cobb's 'Crusader' Wreck Investigation

The issue begins by referencing a previous report on the 50th anniversary of John Cobb's death while attempting a water speed record on Loch Ness. Dick Raynor and Adrian Shine took the initiative to locate the wreck of Cobb's boat, 'Crusader'. They meticulously analyzed film of the fatal run, identified the 'mile post' markers used for timing, and pinpointed the impact location. Their groundwork led to sonar searches which indicated a substantial object on the loch bottom.

Simultaneously, a team from the Academy of Applied Sciences (AAS), led by Bob Rines, was conducting investigations in the loch. Adrian Shine, faced with the possibility of the AAS team finding the wreck first, decided to share his findings. He piloted the AAS boat, 'Boy David', to the correct coordinates, and their ROV, deployed at 700 feet, captured video images that were identified as the remains of 'Crusader'. While the AAS team received prominent coverage, Adrian and Dick's crucial groundwork was only briefly mentioned in one article.

The Hambro Boating Tragedy of 1932

This section commemorates the 70th anniversary of a mysterious boating tragedy on August 28th, 1932. The Hambro family, owners of the Glendoe Estate, were on their speed-boat when it caught fire. Mr Olaf Hambro, his wife Winifred, their sons Jocelyn and Simon, and their nursemaid Miss Calvert were on board. Apart from Miss Calvert, the others jumped into the water. Mr Hambro and his sons reached the shore, but Mrs Hambro, despite being a strong swimmer, drowned and her body was never recovered. The burning boat drifted and exploded.

Dick Raynor had been prompted by the anniversary to search for the boat's remains, using sonar and miniature television equipment. He dismissed the local legends of jewellery and shaken divers as mythology, attributing the divers' difficulties to poor visibility and bad weather. He stated his intention was not a treasure hunt, but to contact the family if the boat was found.

Two eyewitnesses came forward: 92-year-old Lewis Keil, who saw the boat burst into flames from Invermoriston, and Thomas MacDonald, who was a boy at the time and saw the boat 'stuttering' before catching fire and exploding. Keil's account placed the explosion differently than contemporary reports. MacDonald recalled the boat drifting to the shore before exploding and mentioned the divers hired by Mr Hambro. The differing accounts highlight the challenges of investigating events decades later.

First Sighting of the Loch Ness Monster

The newsletter then shifts to the 70th anniversary of the first reported 'Monster' sighting in the Inverness Courier. The report described a couple, Mr and Mrs MacKay, witnessing a 'tremendous upheaval' on the loch, describing a creature with a whale-like body that rolled and plunged before disappearing in a 'boiling mass of foam'. The disturbance caused waves significant enough to be from a steamer. The lady estimated the creature to be 'many feet' long.

An earlier report from a party of anglers in Inverness described encountering an unknown creature whose bulk and water displacement suggested a very large seal, porpoise, or the monster itself. This story received little credence at the time. The tale of the MacKay sighting was investigated by Alex Campbell, a water bailiff and part-time Courier reporter, who then approached the MacKays. Dr Evan Barron, editor of the Courier, is credited with coining the term 'Loch Ness Monster' based on Campbell's report.

Recent Sightings and Val Smith's Observations

The issue notes a lack of official sightings in the previous year but mentions a recent flurry of reports. George Edwards reported a single hump in Urquhart Bay on May 23rd, 2003. On June 1st, 2003, the skipper of the Royal Scot saw a fast-moving wake and later a low hump. A fisherman in Borlum Bay also saw something resting on the surface before it rolled underwater.

Val Smith shares his observations from early February 2003, expressing initial disappointment with the Roy Johnstone photographs of a neck sighting, finding them odd. He recounts a personal experience from the previous year ('02) where he and his son Jonathon saw three otters and a large black cat, too big to be domestic, near the loch. He also mentions that some nights, a creature was heard rummaging near waste bins at a local hotel.

Val Smith and his son plan to visit Loch Ness again from July 26th to August 9th, 2003, and welcome members to meet them.

Personal Holiday Account

Richard Hepple (Rip) provides a personal account of his holiday in the Loch Ness area in late July and early August 2002. He describes a feeling of melancholy upon arriving at the Old Pier at Abriachan but soon enjoyed the experience. He notes a beautiful full moon over Dores and various activities including drives to Fort Augustus, Inverness, Glen Affric, and a local agricultural show. He mentions meeting family and friends, and briefly saw Steve Feltham's van, but learned he had left for Dorset. He also comments on the new visitor centre at Urquhart Castle.

He recounts meeting Sue and Alastair Boyd and Doug and Margaret Macfarlane. He also had a session with Dick Raynor, who hoped to take him out on the 'Nessie Hunter' to assist with the 'Crusader' search, but it did not happen during his stay.

He concludes by stating that despite not meeting the 'object of the visit' (presumably the monster), he had a good holiday, meeting old friends. His wife and her sister are booked for a holiday in the same area for the following year.

Editorial Notes and Contact Information

The newsletter ends with an apology for the delay in its production and an update on the editor's van. It reminds members that their news and views are needed. The editor's address is provided as R. R. Hepple, 7 Huntshieldford, St John's Chapel, Weardale, Co Durham, DL13 1RQ, with a contact telephone number and subscription rates.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical mysteries surrounding Loch Ness, particularly the deaths of John Cobb and the Hambro family, and the ongoing search for evidence of the Loch Ness Monster. The editorial stance appears to be one of diligent investigation, factual reporting, and a willingness to share information among researchers, while also acknowledging the legendary and sometimes mythical aspects of the loch's lore. There is a clear emphasis on anniversaries as catalysts for renewed investigation and a commitment to documenting eyewitness accounts and research efforts.