Nessletter - No 150 - 2006

Magazine Overview

Title: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER
Issue: 150
Date: April 2006
Publisher: NESS INFORMATION SERVICE
ISSN: 0204-7001

This issue of the Nessletter, dated April 2006, opens with a personal reflection from the editor, referred to as 'RIP's Piece'. The editor discusses his retirement, the challenges of managing his time, and the difficulties in producing the newsletter due to a shortened attention span and memory issues. He expresses gratitude to the NIS members, whom he considers good friends.

Obituaries

The issue features obituaries for three individuals with a connection to Loch Ness:

Frank Searle (1921-2005) Frank Searle is described as a prominent, albeit controversial, figure in Loch Ness monster investigations. He died on March 26, 2005, at the age of 84. Searle was known for his numerous photographs of the Loch Ness Monster, which were viewed by some as evidence and by others as fakes. Born in Middlesex, he served in the army and later became interested in Loch Ness after reading Constance Whyte's 'More Than A Legend'. His first claimed sighting was in June 1965. He lived by the loch from 1969 to 1983, initially camping and later establishing an exhibition. The article details his contentious relationship with the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau (LNI) and other groups, his production of approximately 20 photographs (many of which are described as fakes, possibly using fence posts, tarpaulin, and oil drums), and his eventual move to Fleetwood, Lancashire, where he lived quietly for eighteen years, confined to a wheelchair for the last seven due to a stroke. The Andrew Tullis documentary, 'The Man Who Captured Nessie', is mentioned as having screened on Channel 4.

Mark Chorvinsky (1954-2005) Mark Chorvinsky, founder of 'Strange' magazine, passed away on July 16, 2005, at the age of 51. He was also the editor of the magazine, which ran for 20 print issues and later appeared online. Chorvinsky had a lifelong fascination with Fortean phenomena and stage magic. He worked as a professional magician and was interested in cinematic special effects, producing a short film and video documentaries. He founded the bookstore 'Dream Wizards' in Rockville, Maryland, and became unhappy with the administration of the International Fortean Organization, leading him to create 'Strange'. He was interested in the Bigfoot phenomenon and was critical of the Patterson/Gimlin footage. He also researched the Owl-man and Loch Ness work of Tony 'Doc' Shiels. Chorvinsky was known for his critical eye and his drive to uncover the truth behind mysteries.

Dan Taylor (1940-2005) Dan Taylor, an engineer, inventor, and naval man, died in Savannah, Georgia, on July 25, 2005, at the age of 65. He served in the US Navy during the Korean War and later joined the Perry Corporation, designing and building mini-submarines. Notably, he was part of the team that recovered an H-bomb from the Mediterranean in the Palomares 'Broken Arrow' incident in 1966. Taylor built a 20-foot long submarine named 'Viperfish' in his garage. In July 1969, he brought 'Viperfish' to Loch Ness to assist the Loch Ness Investigation Bureau (LNIB). The submarine proved to be under-powered and had issues with buoyancy and its hatch. Despite these challenges, Taylor undertook over 50 dives. He later planned to build a new, larger submarine named 'Nessa', designed for Loch Ness conditions with improved lighting and sampling systems, but sadly died before its completion. He and his wife Margaret also ran a restaurant in Memphis.

Other Content

The editor reflects on the author's own life, including his retirement and the challenges of memory and attention span. He also mentions the ongoing production of the Nessletters and the effort involved. The issue concludes with subscription details for the Nessletter (UK £3.00, US $10.00) and the contact address for R.R. Hepple.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are obituaries of significant figures in the Fortean and cryptozoological communities, personal reflections on aging and the challenges of research, and the ongoing efforts to investigate mysteries like the Loch Ness Monster. The editorial stance appears to be one of respectful remembrance for those who have passed, while also maintaining a critical and investigative approach to the phenomena discussed, acknowledging both genuine interest and potential deception.