Loch Ness Monster hunting camera from ’70s found by ‘Boaty McBoatface’

Posted on by
Sam Smith and Loch Ness expert Adrian Shine with the camera. (National Oceanography Centre via SWNS)By Talker

By Elizabeth Hunter

Ocean exploring vessel ‘Boaty McBoatface’ has accidentally discovered a camera from the 1970s – designed to snap a photo of the Loch Ness Monster.

Sponsored

If You're Over 65, Try This Instead of Gutter Cleaning (It's Genius)

If You’re Over 65, Try This Instead of Gutter Cleaning (It’s Genius)

LeafFilter Partner

Cardiologists: 1/2 Cup Before Bed Burns Belly Fat Like Crazy! Try This Recipe!

Cardiologists: 1/2 Cup Before Bed Burns Belly Fat Like Crazy! Try This Recipe!

Health Headlines

Here's The Estimated Cost of a 1-day Walk-in Shower Upgrade

Here’s The Estimated Cost of a 1-day Walk-in Shower Upgrade

HomeBuddy

Here's What a New Roof Should Cost You in 2025

Here’s What a New Roof Should Cost You in 2025

HomeBuddy

How Seniors Can Potentially Lower Capital Gains Tax

How Seniors Can Potentially Lower Capital Gains Tax

SmartAsset

Man Spent More Than $220k Turning an Old Plane Into His Home; Look Inside

Man Spent More Than $220k Turning an Old Plane Into His Home; Look Inside

The Decor Ideas

During a test mission, the underwater vehicle – famously named by a public poll – discovered the camera system by accident around 180m deep within Loch Ness.

The camera was likely placed in 1970 by Professor Roy Mackal of the Loch Ness Bureau and the University of Chicago and is thought to have been one of the first attempts to catch the Loch Ness Monster on film.

The National Oceanography Centre (NOC), who operated the vehicle, retrieved the camera, which was still in good condition – and they were even able to develop the film.

(National Oceanography Centre via SWNS)By Talker

Sadly, Nessie does not appear to have been captured on camera.

Adrian Shine, who set up The Loch Ness Project in the mid-1970s to investigate Loch Ness and its world-famous inhabitant, helped to identify the camera and says it was one of six deployed by Professor Mackal, with three of them lost in a gale that same year.

“It was an ingenious camera trap consisting of a clockwork Instamatic camera with an inbuilt flash cube, enabling four pictures to be taken when a bait line was taken,” he said.

“It is remarkable that the housing has kept the camera dry for the past 55 years, lying around 180 m deep in Loch Ness.”

NOC’s Autosub underwater vehicle, known popularly as Boaty McBoatface, discovered the camera when part of the mooring that had held the camera system in place got caught on the vehicle’s propellor.

The camera found by ‘Boaty McBoatface’ in Loch Ness. (National Oceanography Centre via SWNS)

Leave a comment