Nessletter - No 155 - 2009

Magazine Overview

This issue of the NESS INFORMATION SERVICE NESSLETTER, number 155, dated December 2009, is largely dominated by the author's personal reflections on grief and loss, interspersed with reports on Loch Ness phenomena and the passing of key figures in the field.

Personal Reflections and Bereavement

The author begins by explaining the long pause in publishing the Nessletter, attributing it to personal difficulties. He shares the sad news of his wife, Doris's, death on July 25th, 2009, following a severe stroke on July 23rd. He recounts the events leading up to her passing, her hospitalization, and the difficult decision to let her go, expressing his gratitude that her end was peaceful. He reflects on their 38 years together and the profound void her absence has left.

Adding to the personal sorrow, the author reports the death of Doris's sister, Audrey, who had been in similar poor health. Audrey died seven weeks after Doris, and the author speculates if losing Doris was the final blow for her. Further family tragedy struck with the death of Doris and Audrey's brother, Bill, five weeks after Audrey. Bill had emigrated to Australia in 1970 and had been in poor health for years.

Despite the personal sadness, the author expresses a desire to continue publishing the Nessletter, though he acknowledges the struggle and the apparent lack of significant new happenings at Loch Ness.

Loch Ness Reports and Sightings

The newsletter includes several reports related to Loch Ness:

• Fort Augustus Sighting: A man from Fort Augustus reported a glimpse of a possible hump from the A84, between the Clansman and Urquhart. The author notes this was a fleeting look and the man, being local, might have some experience of the water conditions.
• Sonar Contact on 'Jacobite Queen': On May 21st, 2009, the Loch Ness cruise boat 'Jacobite Queen', captained by John Askew, detected a positive sonar contact showing five identical dots in a vertical line, with one appearing below the loch bottom. Adrian Shine of the Loch Ness Project described it as a genuine sonar contact, noting that multiple echoes can be from a single object. The author humorously wonders if the presence of the 'Allo 'Allo' cast aboard influenced the reporting.
• 'Allo 'Allo' Octopus Photo: A photograph from Google Earth, published in the Daily Mirror, showed what appeared to be a white Octopus on the surface of Loch Ness. The author explains this was likely a misinterpretation of a cruiser, with the flared deck and bow wave creating the illusion of an octopus shape.
• Elephants and the 'Surgeon's Photograph': The author revisits the theory that the 'Surgeon's Photograph' of the Loch Ness Monster might be an elephant's trunk. He mentions a book titled 'Big Charlie', about a large elephant kept at Butlin's holiday camp in Ayr, whose mahout used to take him swimming. This raises the possibility that Billy Butlin, or perhaps Bertram Mills (who offered a reward for Nessie), might have witnessed an elephant swimming, potentially leading to the 'Surgeon's Photograph' theory. He questions the timeline and the choice of shape for the model monster created by Wetherell and his boys.
• John Cooper's Visit: NIS member John Cooper visited Loch Ness in mid-July. He describes the visibility as poor due to mist. He notes changes to the tea-shop/post office at Upper Foyers, which has been a recurring stop for him over 35 years. He also details the difficulty in viewing the loch from the quayside at the old aluminium smelter and the obscured views along the loch bank due to overgrown vegetation, expressing a feeling of being unwelcome.

Passing of Dr. Robert H. Rines

The newsletter reports the death of Dr. Robert H. Rines on November 1st, 2009, at the age of 87. Dr. Rines is described as a remarkable man with a varied life, including being a musician, physicist, and inventor. He founded the Academy of Applied Sciences in 1963 to foster interdisciplinary problem-solving. His interest in Loch Ness was sparked in 1958, and in 1969, he offered the Academy's assistance in the search. Over 37 years, he led expeditions to Loch Ness, seeking 'proof of existence'. A significant event mentioned is a sighting on June 23rd, 1971, where Bob Rines, his secretary Carol (who became his second wife), and others witnessed a 20ft hump moving through the water in Urquhart Bay, which solidified his belief.

Editorial Notes and Contact Information

The author concludes by expressing his intention to continue the Nessletter and thanks the NIS members for their continued support. He provides the current subscription rates (UK£3.00, USA $10.00) and the contact address for R.R. Hepple in Weardale, County Durham.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are personal grief, family loss, and the enduring mystery of Loch Ness. The author's stance is one of personal reflection and a continued, albeit sometimes difficult, commitment to documenting and sharing information related to the Loch Ness phenomenon. There is a sense of melancholy due to the personal tragedies, but also a determination to carry on with the newsletter and the exploration of the unknown.