The 12 Days of Terror: The Shark Attacks of 1916
In the summer of 1916, the Jersey Shore in New Jersey, USA, witnessed a series of brutal shark attacks that would become one of the most infamous events in American history. Over the course of 12 days, five people were killed and three others were injured in a spree of attacks that would later be known as the 12 Days of Terror.
The First Attack
The first attack occurred on July 1, 1916, when 25-year-old Charles Vansant, a recent college graduate, went swimming in the waters off Beach Haven, New Jersey. Vansant was attacked by a shark and died shortly after being pulled from the water. The incident was shocking, but many believed it to be an isolated incident.
The Attacks Continue
However, just five days later, on July 6, 1916, 27-year-old Charles Dunn was also attacked while swimming in the same area. Dunn survived the attack but lost his leg. The incident sparked widespread panic, and many believed that a man-eating shark was on the loose.
Over the next few days, three more people were killed in similar attacks: 11-year-old Lester Stillwell on July 7, 1916, 19-year-old Stanley Fisher on July 8, 1916, and 45-year-old John Cortney on July 12, 1916. The attacks were all eerily similar, with the shark attacking swimmers in shallow water, often in broad daylight.
The Hunt for the Shark
As the death toll mounted, the authorities launched a massive hunt for the killer shark. Hundreds of fishermen and sailors scoured the waters, dropping dynamite and other explosives in an effort to kill the shark. However, despite their efforts, the shark remained at large.
The Final Attack
The final attack occurred on July 12, 1916, when 45-year-old John Cortney was killed while swimming in the same area. After this attack, the authorities finally caught a break. A local fisherman named Michael Schleisser claimed to have caught a 7.5-foot (2.3 meters) sand tiger shark that matched the description of the killer shark. Although Schleisser's claim was later disputed, the attacks finally subsided, and the Jersey Shore was able to return to a sense of normalcy.
The Aftermath
The 12 Days of Terror had a profound impact on the American public. It marked a turning point in the way people perceived sharks, moving from a sense of fascination to one of fear. The incident also led to a significant increase in shark research, as scientists sought to understand the behavior of these predators.
In the end, the 12 Days of Terror remain one of the most bizarre and terrifying events in American history, a poignant reminder of the power and unpredictability of the natural world.
Timeline of the Attacks
- July 1, 1916: Charles Vansant, 25, killed
- July 6, 1916: Charles Dunn, 27, injured
- July 7, 1916: Lester Stillwell, 11, killed
- July 8, 1916: Stanley Fisher, 19, killed
- July 12, 1916: John Cortney, 45, killed
