orkney/stronsay beast 1808 carcass: NESSIE?

news.bbc.co.uk...

New clues to mystery sea monster

Fresh clues have been found to help a scientist in her efforts to identify a mystery creature found on Orkney.

Geneticist Dr Yvonne Simpson has researched the Stronsay Beast and will reveal her latest discoveries at the Orkney International Science Festival.

The creature's carcass, which some said was that of a basking shark, was found off Stronsay in 1808.

Dr Simpson has said the descriptions of its long neck were along the lines of those of the Loch Ness Monster

You know, a lot of people claim pets have ghosts so why not Nessie?

R.I.P. Nessie
????-1808

related article:news.bbc.co.uk...

reply to post by reject


Stronsay Beast - Wikipedia
Orkneyjar - the Stronsay Beast


The Stronsay Beast -
From a sketch made by Sir Alexander Gibson in 1808


A second sketch of the 1808 Stronsay "monster"
Again, the long serpentine neck, small head and bristly mane are apparent.

The creature's carcass, which some said was that of a basking shark, was found off Stronsay in 1808.

How anybody can claim these are similar, or look even remotely like, a Basking Shark (even a dead, decomposing one) is beyond me. They should either get their eye's tested or are in complete denial.

This is some damned compelling evidence to suggest marine animals like Nessie can and possibly do exist today.


[edit on 5/9/2008 by Kryties]

I guess we'll find out tomorrow when she makes her speech!

First the shark's jaws - which are attached only by a small piece of flesh - drop off leaving what looks like the remains of a long neck and a small skull.

Then, as only the upper half of the animal's tail fin carries the spine, the lower half rots away and provides a convincing serpentine tail. When the dorsal fin begins to decompose, the remaining rays can have the appearance of a hairlike mane. The monster's six legs can simply be explained away as the remains of the shark's lower fins. you toot

Actually we'll find out if permission is granted to get the DNA analysed by Florida University and checked against all known shark species. Results might be in by the end of the year.