Real Survival Stories: "Race Against Time: Deep in Loch Ness"

Hosted by John Hopkins

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Race Against Time: Deep in Loch Ness," hosted by John Hopkins on the podcast Real Survival Stories, listeners are transported back to July 1977 in the mysterious depths of Loch Ness, Scotland. This episode delves into the harrowing survival ordeal of Hugh Williams, a 24-year-old PhD student and experienced diver, who finds himself in a life-threatening situation during an archaeological expedition.

Background on Hugh Williams

Hugh Williams, an accomplished diver and underwater technology enthusiast, was nearing the completion of his first-year PhD at Strathclyde University. Passionate about exploring submerged environments, Hugh had already amassed significant diving experience, including working with the North Sea oil industry to inspect pipelines using small submarines. His dedication to underwater exploration was fueled by early inspirations from diving pioneers like Hans and Lottie Hass and Jacques Cousteau.

Hugh Williams [02:24]: "Below 10 meters and you're in pitch darkness. And when I say pitch darkness, it's darkness that one doesn't often come across in that you can put your fingers right up to the glass on your face mask and you won't be able to see them. It is that dark."

The Expedition to Loch Ness

In the summer of 1977, Hugh was invited to join an archaeological expedition aimed at uncovering potential Neolithic burial mounds submerged in Loch Ness. Sonar surveys had revealed intriguing circular depressions and mounds on the loch’s seabed, suggesting the presence of ancient structures. The team, comprising five members, planned a fortnight-long investigation involving multiple dives each day to map and explore these underwater sites.

Hugh Williams [08:06]: "A sonar survey had been done of Loch Ness and they had these pictures of the seabed where there were these circular depressions and mounds and also something that looked like a stone circle, a bit like a small version of Stonehenge."

The Dive

Equipped with advanced diving gear for the time, including dry suits and powerful lamps, Hugh and his dive partner, John Mills, embarked on their mission. The team also intended to search for the wreckage of a World War II Wellington bomber, rumored to have crashed into Loch Ness in 1940.

As Hugh navigated the murky waters, he meticulously scanned his surroundings, relying on the limited air supply and the safety rope tethered to the surface.

The Incident

Approximately five minutes into their descent, reaching a depth of 50 meters (160 feet), Hugh and John began their ascent, disappointed by the absence of the bomber wreckage. Suddenly, Hugh felt a violent jolt halting his ascent—a tug from the long cable attached to his harness.

Hugh Williams [03:30]: "We came to a shuddering halt, stuck in the water. Maybe at that time, maybe 45 meters or something, I knew we had very little time available to do anything and I could feel these levels of apprehension, if not fear, starting to rise."

The cable had snagged on an unseen obstacle, immobilizing Hugh and potentially jeopardizing both divers' safety due to the limited air supply.

The Choices

Stranded 160 feet below the surface with less than 10 minutes of air, Hugh faced a series of critical decisions:

1. Swim Deeper to Untangle: Risking further descent with diminishing air and encountering greater dangers.
2. Release from Harness: Attempting to free himself from the cable without full visibility or understanding of the entanglement.
3. Cut the Cable: A last-resort option that could lead to severe injury or fatal electrocution due to the 240-volt power source connected to their lamps.
4. Dump Breathing Apparatus: Abandoning equipment to ascend, risking decompression sickness and insufficient air for both divers.

Hugh Williams [37:00]: "One of the options was to swim down and try and find out where the rope and the cable is tangled, untangle it, and then go back up. The problem there was we didn't know how deep that might be and all the time we're using air and we only had a few minutes. So that in itself could have been very dangerous."

The Resolution

With time running out and recognizing the peril of his remaining options, Hugh and John implemented a daring plan. They began pumping air into their dry suits to increase buoyancy, leveraging the suits' ability to trap air and provide additional lift. This method required precise coordination to avoid snapping the cable or ascending too rapidly, which could result in decompression sickness or lung injuries.

Hugh Williams [41:11]: "If suddenly we were released, we would be heading towards the surface at far too great a speed, which has its own dangers, as well as decompression sickness. There's a danger of a burst lung if the air inside your lungs expands too quickly."

After tense moments of inflated suits and restrained ascents, their strategy began to work. Gradually, the depth gauge indicated their upward movement, leading them safely back to the surface under the glaring summer sun.

Hugh Williams [43:28]: "Once we've started to come up, then a lot of the danger, if you like, the fear starts to go away."

Aftermath and Later Life

Upon surfacing, the team assessed the situation without assigning blame, acknowledging the inexperience of the tender who had mismanaged the cable. The incident, while perilous, did not deter Hugh from diving. Instead, it heightened his awareness of the inherent dangers in underwater exploration and underscored the importance of meticulous preparation.

Years later, Hugh would revisit Loch Ness with advanced remotely operated vehicles, ultimately locating the elusive Wellington bomber wreckage preserved in 70 meters of water—a testament to his enduring passion and resilience.

Hugh Williams [50:32]: "A number of years later, I was working as an engineer and we built this remotely operated submarine vehicle called Pioneer and we went to do trials for the ROV in Loch Ness. So one day we decided that we were going to have a search for the Wellington bomber and we found it. And it was lying in about 70 meters of water, perfectly preserved..."

Reflecting on the 1977 dive nearly half a century later, Hugh expresses no regrets, valuing the unforgettable experience and the life lessons it imparted.

Hugh Williams [50:50]: "45 years later, I almost look back on it fondly because I think there are so many days in my life anyway where I'm doing routine things that just disappear into, you know, a mush. Whereas that's a day I'll never forget."

Conclusion

"Race Against Time: Deep in Loch Ness" masterfully captures the essence of survival against the odds. Through Hugh Williams' story, listeners gain insight into the mental fortitude and quick decision-making required in life-threatening situations. This episode not only narrates a tale of adventure and danger but also celebrates the human spirit's capacity to overcome extreme challenges.

For more engaging survival stories, tune in to Real Survival Stories, available every Thursday. Subscribe to Noiser+ for early access and ad-free listening at noiser.com/subscriptions.