Nessletter - No 146 - 2004

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER
Issue: 146
Date: January/February 2004
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
Country: United Kingdom
ISSN: 0204-7001

This issue of the Nessletter begins with New Year greetings and an apology for the irregular appearance of previous issues, with a promise to improve in 2004. The main focus of the editorial is the perplexing decline in 'good' Loch Ness monster sightings, a trend that has persisted for several years, even affecting 'poor' sightings.

The Mystery of Declining Sightings

The editorial questions the whereabouts of recent sighting reports, particularly those from May/June 2003, which were few and subject to skepticism, especially those from tourist boat operators. It touches upon the suggestion that Nessie might be dead or extinct, a theory that has been discussed for decades, referencing Constance Whyte's 1957 book which documented sightings from the 1950s. The author notes that during the 1960s/70s and the 1980s, there seemed to be a respectable number of good reports, suggesting the 'deadline' for the creatures' existence might be moved forward.

Bob Rines' Concerns

In August 2001, Bob Rines and his team from the Academy of Applied Sciences expressed concern about the continued existence of Nessie. Rines admitted he couldn't confirm if Nessie was still alive, citing environmental stress on the loch. He mentioned the impact of hydro plants and forestry plantings that led to lime acid pouring into the loch, reducing vegetation and potentially impacting the creatures' food sources. He had been alarmed in the '90s by the reduced number of sightings and sonar contacts reported by fishing boats.

Potential Explanations

While considering extinction, the author also entertains Adrian Shine's 'Sturgeon' theory: large fish entering the loch, being seen, and then returning to the sea, thus explaining the lack of prolonged reports. However, the mystery of the lack of sightings remains. The editorial acknowledges that 'good' sightings have always been a small proportion of the total, with most reports explainable by natural phenomena like boat wakes, water fowl, wind slicks, floating logs, surface tension differences, otters, swimming deer, canoes, and other craft. The LNI and Adrian Shine have been compiling lists of such explanations.

Education and Expectation

The editorial then delves into the impact of education and expectation on sightings. It suggests that while some may be educated out of believing in myths, others might have a vague notion of 'The Monster' and thus hope or expect to see something, leading to misinterpretations being reported as sightings. The influence of television documentaries with a negative view of the mystery and exhibitions like the Loch Ness 2000, which may leave visitors with a negative feeling, is also discussed. The author wonders if this general negative feeling is affecting the national psyche and altering visitor expectations, leading them to discount potential sightings.

'FREDDIE' CARY: A Fond Farewell

The issue includes a tribute to Winifred Cary, known as 'Freddie', who passed away on October 6th, 2003, at the age of 97. Freddie was described as one of the great characters of the Loch Ness scene, particularly in the Drumnadrochit area. She had several 'monster' sightings and possessed the ability to 'douse' with a pendulum over a map to locate creatures. The tribute fondly recalls her hospitality towards many in the 'monster hunting fraternity', including notable figures like Ted Holiday, Tim Dinsdale, Bob and Carol Rines, and Prof. Roy Mackal. The LNI even built a camera station at her home. An anecdote is shared about Freddie using her pendulum to find her husband, Basil, who had gone for a sail on the loch in his boat.

Canadian Report: Sea Serpent Sighting

A report from Tim Denesha details an interview with Wallace Cartwright, a Nova Scotia lobster-man, who described a 'sea serpent' sighting. While checking his traps, Cartwright and a friend saw what they initially thought was a log, but it revealed a sea-turtle-like head. They observed the creature for about 45 minutes, noting its snake-like movements and humps. While no camera was on board, Cartwright felt certain it was a single animal. A maritime biologist suggested it was likely an Oarfish, a serpent-like fish native to the British coast that may have followed a cold current to Canada. Cartwright plans to carry binoculars and a camera in the future.

Oarfish in the North Sea

Another interesting account comes from the North East of England, where Val Fletcher caught an Oarfish off the coast at Skinningrove. The fish weighed 140lb and was 11 feet 7 inches long, an extraordinary catch for the shallow waters of the North Sea. Biologists were surprised, as Oarfish are normally found in the Mediterranean or deep in the Atlantic. This catch is contrasted with the Nova Scotia report. Experts suggested that recent bad weather and strong winds might have propelled the Gulf Stream, carrying the Oarfish into these waters. Oarfish, also known as Ribbon-Fish, are the longest bony fish and rarely caught alive.

HARDHAT DIVER

Lloyd Scott undertook an unusual challenge on Sunday, September 29th, 2003: walking the length of Loch Ness underwater. Wearing a 180lb helmeted diving suit, Scott aimed to raise money for 'Children with Leukaemia'. He had previously completed marathons in London, New York, and Edinburgh. The underwater walk, which took 12 days to cover approximately three miles a day, involved diving to 30 feet. Scott described the experience as far worse than land marathons, citing cold, nil visibility, and disorientation. He reported seeing only two fish and no other significant findings.

FOSSIL HOAX?

An article details a report from Gerald McSorley, a retired scrap metal merchant, who claimed to have stumbled over a plesiosaur fossil in Loch Ness. The fossil was shown to Adrian Shine and later confirmed by Dr Lyall Anderson, a curator at the National Museum of Scotland, as part of a plesiosaur backbone embedded in rock. However, Dr Anderson pointed out that it was highly unlikely for a 150-million-year-old fossil to have originated in Loch Ness, which was formed only 12,000 years ago. He suggested the rock around the bones indicated marine boring worms, and that plesiosaur fossils, though rare, were found in the Moray Firth area. The article speculates whether the fossil was a 'plant' or had been left by someone else.

Tim Dinsdale and Erik's Stance

Letters from Mrs Joan Dexter and Erik are discussed. Mrs Dexter expresses amusement at the idea of Erik Beckjord offering Tim Dinsdale's contact details and confirms Tim's unwavering views and integrity. Erik, in a transatlantic call and letter, retold a story of Tim changing his views and reasons for not going public. The author remains at odds with Erik, believing he misinterpreted a conversation. The editorial strongly asserts Tim's integrity, stating he would not have kept quiet about anything, especially for money.

Erik's new public stance is presented: "The Loch Ness Monster is an unknown biological animal, made of flesh and blood, that has extraordinary, highly rare abilities, that enable if to avoid capture." He hopes Dr Henry Bauer will pay attention to this statement.

Closing Remarks

The issue concludes with a brief note about a 'long eel' reported on Dores beach and mentions that the Nessletter was delayed in posting. It also marks the 30-year anniversary of the first Nessletter in January 1974. Members are thanked, and subscription details are provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

Recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing mystery of declining Loch Ness monster sightings, the search for scientific explanations (such as the Oarfish theory), and the role of public perception and expectation. The editorial stance is one of critical inquiry, acknowledging the possibility of misinterpretation and natural phenomena while maintaining that a small number of sightings remain unexplainable, likely due to the presence of the creatures. There is a strong emphasis on the integrity of researchers like Tim Dinsdale and a skepticism towards claims that might be fabricated or misinterpreted, as seen in the 'Fossil Hoax?' section. The publication also serves as a platform for personal tributes and updates within the cryptozoological community.