As the Great War raged on in Europe, citizens in the northeastern United States were treated to a particularly grueling summer in 1916. A lengthy heat wave and a polio epidemic resulted in a profitable period for those in the burial business. To escape the heat residents of Philadelphia and New York made daily trips to New Jersey resort towns, such as Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Atlantic City, and Asbury Park (what’s up Bruce?).
Between July 1-12, five swimmers encountered sharks; only one survived. The first attack happened just before dinner time as a young vacationer, 25, from Philadelphia was swimming with his dog. Charles Vansant was still conscious when he was pulled from the water by a lifeguard but the flesh on his left thigh had been ripped apart. He bled to death on the manager’s desk of the Engleside Hotel. Despite the attack, as well as reports by sea captains of large sharks swimming off the coast of New Jersey, beaches all along the Jersey Shore remained open. Over the next 11 days four other attacks occurred, including three in a creek near the town of Matawan.
The panic began after the second attack. Swimming areas were fenced in using high-strength steel mesh, shores were patrolled by gun boats, dynamite was detonated, and even $100 rewards were offered to anybody who captured and killed a shark. The panic spread all the way to the top, as President Wilson scheduled a meeting with his Cabinet to discuss the shark problem. In all, the events led to $250,000 lost tourism, and a 75% decline in bathing at some beaches.
It’s not known what type of shark was responsible for the attacks, or if there were several sharks. However, on July 14 a Harlem taxidermist and lion tamer (wtf?) caught a 7.5 foot great white shark. In it’s belly was 15 pounds of human remains. Following this capture, no more encounters were reported along the Jersey Shore during the summer of 1916. These events inspired Peter Benchley's 1974 novel, Jaws.
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