Loch Ness Monster: Plot To Kill And Kidnap Beast Revealed
New documents have revealed that England’s Natural History Museum once allegedly hatched a plot to kill and kidnap the Loch Ness Monster, pitting the institution against the Royal Scottish Museum and stoking the ire of Scottish nationalists.
In his recently published book Britain’ s X-traordinary Files, author David Clarke exposed the documents, according to the Independent. They detail that an unnamed official with the museum issued instructions persons described as “bounty hunters,” explaining to them in 1934 how to approach their search for Loch Ness’ most famous resident.
“Should you ever come within range of the ‘monster’ I hope you will not be deterred by humanitarian considerations from shooting him on the spot and sending the carcass to us in cold storage, carriage forward,” the official noted, adding that “Short of this, a flipper, a jaw or a tooth would be very welcome.”
The Natural History Museum ‘tried kill and exhibit “Nessie” to ‘outrage Scottish nationalism’ http://t.co/NnFCRjGRIy pic.twitter.com/UxsSt5TIH7
— IBTimes UK (@IBTimesUK) October 28, 2014
While he was already aware of files in Edinburgh relating to the Loch Ness Monster, Clarke was surprised to find another set at the Natural History Museum, according to the Express. Pointing out that many influential figures believed in the existence of a creature in Loch Ness, Clarke noted that authorities were pressured to extend special protection for the monster.
“During the 1930s the Monster became an important symbol for Scottish Nationalists who wanted the police to protect the creature from big game hunters,” Clarke asserted. “Nessie had become a Scottish icon, a symbol of national identity. There was genuine outrage at the possibility that the corpse of the monster might be taken for display in London.”
4 Facts about the Catholic Saint who Fought the Loch Ness Monster http://t.co/CGOa2uLDY9 pic.twitter.com/ceO0HD0axe
— St. Peter’s List (@StPetersList) October 25, 2014
Later in 1934, The Royal Scottish Museum wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland, staking their claim to any remains belonging to the monster.
“The museum urges strongly that the RSM have the reversionary rights to the ‘Monster’ if and when its corpse should become available,” it stated, before adding “We think the Monster should not be allowed to find its last resting place in England. Such a fate would surely outrage Scottish nationalism which at the moment is thriving greatly under the Monster’s beneficent influence.”
Recently, an image purporting to show an animal similar to the Loch Ness Monster was captured in Britain, as the Inquisitr reported. The creature, dubbed “Bownessie,” is said to inhabit England’s Lake Windermere.
By 1938, Loch Ness was patrolled by constables, as big game hunter Peter Kent announced that he would hunt the monster with a specially designed harpoon gun, and a force of 22 men. Though such expeditions were halted by the Second World War, later files reveal that even Prince Philip harbored an interest in the Loch Ness mystery, urging officials to attempt to track down the monster.
[Image: Ellie Williams via the Mirror]
