Peter O'Connor's Canoe

 

Peter O'Connor's Canoe

On May 27, 1960 in the early hours near the shores of Loch Ness, Peter O'Connor caught...well something on his camera. He had been camping through out the night in hopes of capturing the best evidence of the monster yet. Sometime between 6:00-6:30 AM the monster quietly and without recoil swam near his camp site. O'Connor waded into the dark and cold waters up until the surface was at his waist. He paid close attention to the creatures head which he claimed possessed "sheep like" features. The monster turned in O'Connor's direction but maintained its course. He described the neck as strong and rippling with muscles. The head being about 10" long the neck 6-7" in diameter. The body was about 2-3' exposed behind with a large central hump. It's eyes appeared to be closed shut with smooth skin not unlike a seal. *BOOM* A bright flash and smoke arose from his antiquated camera, O'Connor yelled for his companion (who up until this point was fast asleep in his tent.) The monster jolted and with a great commotion submerged into the depths. O'Connor stated that he was frightened during the experience, but the monster had shown no hostility.

After Peter had reported his sighting a then naturalist, Maurice Burton went to the camp site to investigate for evidence of a hoax. They found red and white string, tied to a circle of large stones, and multiple flash bulbs. The team also found large white sacs and after researching the area a large stick which they assumed was the neck in the picture. Turns out Burton was lying. Burton was at Loch Ness on the days prior to the 27th, but had in fact left the day the picture was taken. 

So what can we derive from the encounter and consequentially the photograph? Well, I find it hard to believe, at least for myself, that a man could muster the courage to enter the water when a behemoth of an unknown animal comes swimming by. I personally think I would lock up in fear, but maybe O'Connor is the brave type. And this was the opportunity he had waited for, so why not take a chance even a deadly one to capture evidence of the elusive Nessie? The thought of being in the Loch in the early hours of the morning, with the churning at your legs produced by an animal up until this point you had never seen is mind numbingly horrifying. Second, why wouldn't you wake your friend? Surely he'd want to see this creature as well? 

Moving on, the photo is easier to digest than the experience. We do see a hump and neck-like object just above the surface of the water. 

Picture of a time period canoe.

Above is the model of canoe (Tyne Perfect) O'Connor was reported to have taken to the Loch with him that day. Notice anything similar between this canoe and the hump in the photograph? That's right, grab a capsized canoe and large log, and you too can have yourself a photo of Nessie.

This photo and story scream hoax to me. Lack of substantial evidence and the only eye witness we have is Peter himself. Nessie didn't make her appearance on that morning in 1960, but Peter O'Connor and his disheveled canoe certainly did.

-T