LochNess Monster CAUGHTED http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loch_Ness_Monster "Nessie" redirects here. For other uses, see Loch Ness Monster (disambiguation) and Nessie (disambiguation). Loch Ness Monster Hoaxed photo of the Loch Ness monster.jpg The "Surgeon's Photograph" of 1934, now known to be a hoax. Grouping Cryptid Sub grouping Lake monster Similar creatures Champ, Ogopogo First reported 565 (retrospectively)[a] 1802 (chronologically)[2] 1933 (popularly) Last reported 2014[3] Other name(s) Nessie, Niseag, Nessiteras rhombopteryx Country Scotland Region Loch Ness Habitat Water The Loch Ness Monster is a cryptid who reputedly inhabits Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It is similar to other supposed lake monsters in Scotland and elsewhere, though its description varies from one account to the next, with most describing it as large in size. Popular interest and belief in the animal's existence has varied since it was first brought to the world's attention in 1933. Evidence of its existence is anecdotal, with minimal and much-disputed photographic material and sonar readings. The most common speculation among believers is that the creature represents a line of long-surviving plesiosaurs.[4] Much of the scientific community regards the Loch Ness Monster as a modern-day myth, and explains sightings as including misidentifications of more mundane objects, outright hoaxes, and wishful thinking.[5] Despite this, it remains one of the most famous examples of cryptozoology. The creature has been affectionately referred to by the nickname Nessie[b] (Scottish Gaelic: Niseag)[6] since the 1940s.[7] History In August 1933 a motorcyclist named Arthur Grant claimed to have nearly hit the creature while approaching Abriachan on the north-eastern shore, at about 1 a.m. on a moonlit night. Grant claimed that he saw a small head attached to a long neck, and that the creature saw him and crossed the road back into the loch. A veterinary student, he described it as a hybrid between a seal and a plesiosaur. Grant said he dismounted and followed it to the loch, but only saw ripples.[17][27] Some believe this story was intended as a humorous explanation of a motorcycle accident.[28] Sightings of the monster increased following the building of a road along the loch in early 1933, bringing both workmen and tourists to the formerly isolated area.[29] Sporadic land sightings continued until 1963, when film of the creature was shot in the loch from a distance of 4 kilometres. Because of the distance at which it was shot, it has been described as poor quality.[30] Chief Constable William Fraser (1938) In 1938, Inverness-shire Chief Constable William Fraser wrote a letter stating that it was beyond doubt the monster existed. His letter expressed concern regarding a hunting party that had arrived armed with a specially-made harpoon gun and were determined to catch the monster "dead or alive". He believed his power to protect the monster from the hunters was "very doubtful". The letter was released by the National Archives of Scotland on 27 April 2010.[31][32] C. B. Farrel (1943) In May 1943, C. B. Farrel of the Royal Observer Corps was supposedly distracted from his duties by a Nessie sighting. He claimed to have been about 230 metres (750 ft) away from a large-eyed, 'finned' creature, which had a 6-to-9-metre (20 to 30 ft) long body, and a neck that protruded about 1.2–1.5 metres (3 ft 11 in–4 ft 11 in) out of the water.[33] Sonar contact (1954) In December 1954 a strange sonar contact was made by the fishing boat Rival III. The vessel's crew observed sonar readings of a large object keeping pace with the boat at a depth of 146 metres (479 ft). It was detected travelling for 800 m (2,600 ft) in this manner, before contact was lost, but then found again later.[33] Many sonar attempts had been made previously, but most were either inconclusive or negative.

• published: 21 Apr 2015
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