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Half a century ago, Belgian Zoologist Bernard Heuvelmans first codified cryptozoology in his book On the Track of Unknown Animals.

The Centre for Fortean Zoology (CFZ) are still on the track, and have been since 1992. But as if chasing unknown animals wasn't enough, we are involved in education, conservation, and good old-fashioned natural history! We already have three journals, the largest cryptozoological publishing house in the world, CFZtv, and the largest cryptozoological conference in the English-speaking world, but in January 2009 someone suggested that we started a daily online magazine! The CFZ bloggo is a collaborative effort by a coalition of members, friends, and supporters of the CFZ, and covers all the subjects with which we deal, with a smattering of music, high strangeness and surreal humour to make up the mix.

It is edited by CFZ Director Jon Downes, and subbed by the lovely Lizzy Bitakara'mire (formerly Clancy), scourge of improper syntax. The daily newsblog is edited by Corinna Downes, head administratrix of the CFZ, and the indexing is done by Lee Canty and Kathy Imbriani. There is regular news from the CFZ Mystery Cat study group, and regular fortean bird news from 'The Watcher of the Skies'. Regular bloggers include Dr Karl Shuker, Dale Drinnon, Richard Muirhead and Richard Freeman.The CFZ bloggo is updated daily, and there's nothing quite like it anywhere else. Come and join us...

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Tuesday, November 17, 2009

MUIRHEAD`S MYSTERIES: LAKE MONSTER ARCHIVES PART TWO



Hi folks,

Here is the second and final part of lake monster archives, these items were illustrated in their original publications. Firstly, an item from The Illustrated London News titled `Another Sea Serpent`, which was actually in the form of a letter from several passengers aboard the Imogen, in the [English ?] Channel on April 15th 1856:

'Sir, We beg to hand you the enclosed sketch of a Sea-Serpent we had the good fortune to sight on the 30th March last. Imogen, from Algoa Bay, towards London. Sunday 30th March, 1856. Lat 29 deg. 11 min N. Long 34 deg.26 min. W. bar 30.50 calm and clear. Four vessels visible to southward and westward. About five minutes past eleven, am the helmsman drew our attention to something moving through the water, and causing a strong ripple about 400 yards distant from our starboard quarter. In a few moments it became more distinct…and showing an apparent length of about forty feet (above the surface of the sea), the undulations of the water extending on each side to a considerable distance in its wake. Mr Statham immediately ascended to the maintopsail-yard, Capt. Guy and Mr Harries watching the animal from the deck with the telescope. After passing the ship about half-a-mile, the serpent "rounded to" and raised its head, seemingly to look at us…then steered away to the northward...possibly to the neighbourhood of the Western Islands, frequently lifting its head…We traced its course until nearly on the horizon, from the topsail-yard, and lost sight of it from deck about 11h.45am. No doubt remained on our minds as to its being an immense snake, as the undulations of its body were clearly perceptible, although we were unable to distinguish its eyes. The weather being fine and the glassy surface of the sea only occasionally disturbed by slight flaws (catspaws) of wind we had a perfect opportunity of noticing its movements. In conformity to your regulations we inclose our references, and remain Sir, your obedient servants, James Guy, Commander, J. H. Statham, Julian B. Harries, D. J. Williamson, Passengers. (1)

By December 1933 the 'modern' phase of the Loch Ness Monster scare was well underway. By 'modern' I mean as opposed to famous pre-twentieth century sightings such as by St Columba in 565AD as recorded by his biographer, Adamnan. The Scottish Daily Express reported on June 9th 1933:

'Mystery fish in Scottish Loch - Monster reported at Fort Augustus. A monster fish which for years has been somewhat of a mystery in Loch Ness was reported to have been seen yesterday at Fort Augustus.' (2)

June 28th 1933:

'Two men and a woman who were boating on Loch Ness had an unpleasant and exciting experience today. The `monster` rose out of the water about 50 yards from where the boat was drifting. One of the women fainted.' (3)

August 12th 1933:

'An effort to photograph the Loch Ness Monster is to be made by Captain Ellisford, a well known amateur photographer. He arrived at Inverness today with a large box of modern photographic material. He will use a telephoto lens.' (4)

By December 9th 1933 The Times had the headlines 'The Loch Ness Monster – A Survey of The Evidence – Fifty-One Witnesses. By Lieut-Commander R. T. Gould.' Gould speculates as to what the creature in Loch Ness could be and how it got into the loch. He describes his survey of the loch and his methodology with regards to interviewing eye-witnesses. Gould also speculates on what the Loch Ness Monster could be with headlines in the article such as A “ Prehistoric” Neck and A Huge Marine Newt? (5)


1. J.Guy et al Illustrated London News. May 3rd 1856
2-4. N.Witchell. The Loch Ness Story.(1982) p.40
5. R.T.Gould. The Times December 9th 1933

RICHARD WILL BE BACK AGAIN NEXT WEEK....

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