In the summer of 1916, a series of shocking events shook the New Jersey coast.
A shark, or possibly several sharks, attacked five people along the Jersey Shore.
Four of these attacks ended in tragedy.
The attacks began in Beach Haven and continued in Spring Lake.
But the most surprising attack happened in Matawan Creek, far from the ocean. These incidents changed how Americans viewed sharks and sparked a nationwide fear of the sea that continues to this day.
The story of the 1916 shark attacks reads like a thriller.
It includes brave rescues, a terrifying hunt for the killer shark, and a mystery that still puzzles experts.
The events even inspired the famous movie “Jaws.” Let’s dive into this fascinating piece of history that forever changed our relationship with the Atlantic Ocean.
Historical Context
The summer of 1916 brought unexpected terror to the Jersey Shore.
Shark attacks shook beachgoers and changed how people viewed these ocean predators.
Let’s look at what New Jersey was like back then and what people thought about sharks.
Early 20th Century New Jersey Coast
In 1916, the New Jersey coast was a popular vacation spot. Families flocked to public beaches to escape the summer heat.
Ocean swimming was still pretty new.
Many people were just starting to enjoy splashing in the Atlantic waves.
The Jersey Shore had lots of small beach towns.
Boardwalks, hotels, and summer cottages lined the coast.
Trains brought visitors from big cities like New York and Philadelphia.
It was a fun, carefree time at the shore.
No one expected any danger from the sea.
People felt safe in the water.
That’s why the shark attacks came as such a shock.
Prevailing Attitudes Towards Sharks
Before 1916, most people didn’t fear sharks. Scientists thought sharks wouldn’t hurt humans.
Sharks were seen as big, harmless fish.
Books and newspapers rarely mentioned shark attacks.
If they did, it was treated like a weird accident.
People believed:
- Sharks preferred to eat fish, not people
- Sharks couldn’t bite through human bones
- Shark attacks were super rare
This relaxed attitude changed fast in the summer of 1916.
The Jersey Shore attacks scared everyone.
It made people see sharks as dangerous predators for the first time.
Chronology of the Attacks
The shark attacks of 1916 happened over a short period in July.
They shocked people along the Jersey Shore and beyond.
The attacks started at beach towns and then moved inland to a creek.
First Attacks: Beach Haven and Spring Lake
On July 1, 1916, Charles Vansant was attacked while swimming in Beach Haven.
He died from blood loss.
This was the first of the shark attacks that summer.
Five days later, on July 6, Charles Bruder became the second victim.
He was swimming in Spring Lake when a shark bit him.
Lifeguards tried to save him, but he died from his injuries.
These attacks scared many beachgoers.
People weren’t sure if it was safe to swim in the ocean anymore.
Matawan Creek Tragedy
On July 12, the attacks took a surprising turn.
A shark entered Matawan Creek, far from the ocean. 11-year-old Lester Stillwell was swimming with friends when the shark attacked him.
Stanley Fisher, a young man, tried to save Lester.
Sadly, the shark attacked Fisher too.
Both Stillwell and Fisher died from their wounds.
Later that day, the shark bit Joseph Dunn in the creek.
Unlike the others, Dunn survived the attack.
His friends pulled him to safety before the shark could do more harm.
These creek attacks shocked everyone.
People didn’t think sharks could go so far inland.
Victims and Heroes
The 1916 shark attacks left behind tragic victims and unexpected heroes.
People showed bravery in the face of danger, with some paying the ultimate price.
Tales of Survival
Charles Vansant was the first victim of the 1916 attacks.
He was swimming near Beach Haven when a shark bit his leg.
Lifeguards pulled him to shore, but he sadly died from blood loss.
Charles Bruder, a bellboy, became the second victim.
He was attacked while swimming 130 yards from shore in Spring Lake.
The shark bit off his legs, and he didn’t survive.
Joseph Dunn had a lucky escape.
He was bitten in Matawan Creek but lived to tell the tale.
His brother and a friend pulled him from the water, saving his life.
Heroic Rescues and Fatal Attempts
Lester Stillwell, just 11 years old, wasn’t as lucky as Dunn.
He was attacked while swimming in Matawan Creek.
His friends ran for help, sparking a brave rescue attempt.
Stanley Fisher, a tailor, jumped into the creek to save Stillwell.
He found the boy’s body but was then attacked himself.
Fisher fought the shark and made it to shore, but sadly died at the hospital.
Local men formed search parties to hunt the shark.
They used all kinds of weapons:
- Shotguns
- Harpoons
- Dynamite
Their efforts helped calm fears and showed the community’s strength in a scary time.
Shark Biology and Behavior
Sharks are amazing sea creatures with unique traits that help them hunt.
They have special skills that make them top sea predators.
Great White and Bull Shark Profiles
Great white sharks are big and strong.
They can grow up to 20 feet long! These sharks have sharp teeth and a keen sense of smell.
They like to eat seals and sea lions.
Bull sharks are smaller but very tough.
They can live in both salt and fresh water.
This makes them special.
Bull sharks have wide bodies and blunt noses.
They eat fish, dolphins, and even other sharks.
Both types of sharks have special senses.
They can feel tiny movements in the water.
This helps them find food.
Shark Hunting Patterns
Sharks are smart hunters.
They use different tricks to catch their prey.
Great whites often swim below their target.
Then they zoom up fast to catch it.
Bull sharks like to hunt in murky water.
They sneak up on their food.
These sharks are most active at dawn and dusk.
Sharks don’t usually hunt people.
Most shark bites happen by mistake.
Sharks might think a person is a seal or fish.
Shark sightings near beaches can scare people.
But it’s rare for sharks to attack humans on purpose.
The Response to the Attacks
The 1916 shark attacks shocked people along the New Jersey coast.
They led to big changes in how beaches were protected.
People reacted with fear and tried to make the waters safe again.
Shark Hunts and Bounties
People wanted to catch the shark responsible for the attacks.
Fishermen and hunters came from all over to join the search.
The media’s response was intense, with newspapers reporting on the hunts.
Towns offered money for catching sharks.
Some people even used dynamite to try and kill sharks in the water.
Many different types of sharks were caught and killed.
People thought they had found the “man-eating” shark several times.
But the attacks kept happening.
This made everyone more scared and determined to find the real culprit.
Lifeguard and Safety Measures
Beaches quickly changed how they kept swimmers safe.
More lifeguards were hired to watch the water.
They used better equipment like binoculars to spot dangers.
Some beaches put up nets to keep sharks away from swimming areas.
People were warned about the risks of swimming.
Signs were put up to tell swimmers to be careful.
Some beaches even closed for a while.
When they reopened, new rules were in place.
Swimmers had to stay closer to shore where it was safer.
These changes helped people feel safer at the beach.
They also started a new focus on beach safety that continues today.
Case Studies in Ichthyology
Shark research has come a long way since 1916.
Scientists now use advanced tools to study these fascinating creatures.
Let’s look at how shark research has changed over time.
Research Following the 1916 Attacks
After the 1916 Jersey Shore attacks, scientists got very interested in sharks.
They wanted to learn more about shark behavior and why attacks happen.
Ichthyologists, who study fish, started looking closely at different shark species.
They tried to figure out which type of shark might have been responsible for the attacks.
Some experts thought it was a great white shark.
Others weren’t so sure.
This debate sparked more research into shark habits and movement patterns.
Modern Shark Research Insights
Today, shark research is much more advanced.
Scientists use things like satellite tags and underwater cameras to study sharks in their natural homes.
The International Shark Attack File keeps track of shark incidents worldwide.
It helps researchers spot trends and learn how to reduce conflicts between sharks and humans.
George Burgess, a famous shark expert, led the Florida Program for Shark Research for many years.
His work has taught us a lot about shark behavior and how to stay safe in the water.
New studies show that most sharks aren’t interested in people as food.
They’re just curious or might mistake us for their usual prey.
This helps us understand why shark bites happen and how to avoid them.
Impact on Popular Culture
The 1916 shark attacks left a lasting mark on American culture.
They sparked a fascination with sharks that continues today through movies, TV shows, and annual events.
‘Jaws’ and Beyond
The 1916 Jersey Shore shark attacks inspired one of the most famous shark stories ever.
Peter Benchley used these events as inspiration for his novel “Jaws”.
Steven Spielberg later turned the book into a blockbuster movie.
“Jaws” became a huge hit.
It scared many people away from beaches.
The film showed a big, scary shark attacking swimmers.
This image stuck in people’s minds for years.
After “Jaws”, sharks became a popular subject in movies and TV shows.
Some were scary, while others were funny or educational.
Sharks went from being unknown creatures to a big part of pop culture.
Shark Week Phenomenon
The Discovery Channel started Shark Week in 1988.
This yearly TV event focuses on sharks for a whole week.
It mixes real facts with exciting shows about sharks.
Shark Week became super popular.
Millions of people watch it each year.
It teaches viewers about different types of sharks and ocean life.
The event also helps with shark conservation efforts.
It shows that sharks aren’t just scary monsters.
They’re important parts of the ocean ecosystem that need protection.
Shark Week’s success proves how much the public loves learning about sharks.
It all started with those attacks back in 1916 that first caught everyone’s attention.
Personal Accounts and Documentaries
The 1916 shark attacks were captured in books and films.
These works share stories from people who lived through the scary events.
They also show what life was like at the Jersey Shore back then.
‘Close to Shore’ Narrative
Michael Capuzzo’s book “Close to Shore” tells the story of the 1916 shark attacks.
It follows Charles Vansant, who was killed at the Engleside Hotel in Beach Haven.
The book shares how people felt during those scary days.
Capuzzo talks to families of the victims.
He paints a picture of life at the Jersey Shore in 1916.
The book shows how the attacks changed how people saw sharks.
Visual Documentaries and Interviews
TV shows have also covered the 1916 attacks. “12 Days of Terror” is a movie that shows what happened.
It follows the story day by day, just like it really happened.
Other shows have talked to shark experts.
They look at why the attacks might have happened.
Some even try to figure out what kind of shark it was.
These shows often mention Michael Schleisser.
He caught a big shark that many think was behind the attacks.
His story is a big part of solving the mystery.
Legacy of the 1916 Attacks
The 1916 shark attacks changed how people saw sharks and influenced efforts to protect them.
These events shaped public fears and conservation work for years to come.
Shark Conservation Efforts
The Jersey Shore shark attacks sparked early interest in shark research.
Scientists wanted to learn more about these misunderstood creatures.
Over time, this led to better shark protection laws.
Many countries now limit shark fishing and finning.
Shark sanctuaries have been set up in some parts of the world.
These areas help protect sharks from being hunted.
The Evolution of Public Perception
After 1916, people saw sharks as man-eating predators.
Movies like “Jaws” made this fear even stronger.
But views have changed over the years.
More folks now see sharks as important parts of ocean ecosystems.
TV shows and movies about sharks have helped.
They teach people about how sharks really act in the wild.
Aquariums let visitors see sharks up close.
This helps people learn that not all sharks are dangerous.
Ongoing Research and Education
Scientists and educators work hard to learn more about sharks and teach people how to stay safe.
They want to protect sharks and help humans and sharks live together peacefully.
Current Initiatives and Programs
Many groups study sharks to understand them better.
They track shark movements with special tags.
This helps find out where sharks go and why.
Some projects look at how climate change affects sharks.
Researchers also test new ways to keep beaches safe.
They try things like drones and smart buoys.
These can spot sharks before they get too close to swimmers.
Conservation efforts are growing too.
Groups work to protect shark habitats and stop overfishing.
They show how important sharks are for healthy oceans.
Shark Safety Education
Beach towns now offer more programs to teach about sharks.
They want people to know how to be safe in the water.
Many places have signs that explain what to do if you see a shark.
Schools often invite shark experts to talk to kids.
They teach about different shark species and their behaviors.
This helps reduce fear and increase understanding.
Some aquariums offer special “Shark Week” events.
People can learn fun facts and see sharks up close.
These programs help change how people think about sharks.
Lifeguards also get special training about sharks.
They learn how to spot danger signs and keep swimmers safe.
Many beaches now have better alert systems to warn about shark sightings.