Overview

This book delves into a chilling chapter of American history, recounting the unprecedented shark attacks that occurred along the New Jersey coast in July 1916. The narrative begins with Charles Vansant, a young graduate who became the first recorded fatality of a shark attack in the United States. His screams from the ocean went unheeded by beachgoers, initially dismissed as a prank. This tragic event was soon followed by another attack on Swiss tourist Charles Bruder, whose gruesome injuries shocked onlookers and ignited widespread panic. The horror escalated when 11-year-old Lester Stillwell was seized by a shark while swimming in Matawan Creek. His friends' desperate attempts to save him led to local tailor Stanley Fisher diving into the water, only to become another victim himself. The media frenzy surrounding these incidents momentarily eclipsed news of World War I, highlighting society's deep-seated fears regarding nature's unpredictability. As residents armed themselves to combat this threat, national attention focused on New Jersey's coastline. Ultimately, it was lion tamer Michael Schleisser who ended the terror after killing the great white shark responsible for these attacks using only a broken oar. Inside its stomach were remnants of human remains, further solidifying public fear and fascination with sharks. This account not only chronicles the events surrounding these harrowing encounters but also explores their lasting impact on American culture and attitudes toward sharks. It highlights how one species' predatory behavior can reshape societal perceptions and inspire legends like Frank Mundus-a figure who would later influence cinematic portrayals of sharks in popular culture.

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