Terror in the Creek: The Jersey Shark Attacks of 1916

In the summer of 1916, Americans were just beginning to fall in love with the Jersey Shore—and most had little reason to fear what was swimming beneath the surface.

Then, over twelve terrifying days, five people were attacked by sharks and four were killed. What began in the surf at popular seaside resorts took an almost unbelievable turn when the attacks moved inland to the narrow waters of Matawan Creek.

Ashley and Lanie travel back to the summer that changed America’s relationship with sharks: from the first attacks and the strange theories used to explain them, to the panic and shark hunts that followed. They explore the mystery of what species was responsible, why the attacks may have happened, and how the events of 1916 helped create the fear that would later become synonymous with Jaws.

Sources:

Smithsonian Magazine, “The Shark Attacks That Were the Inspiration for Jaws”: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-shark-attacks-that-were-the-inspiration-for-jaws-15220260/ — Detailed overview of the 1916 attacks, public panic, turtle theory, shark hunt, and the event’s cultural link to Jaws.[smithsonianmag]

• National Geographic, “2 Weeks, 4 Deaths, and the Start of America’s Fear of Sharks”: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/150702-shark-attack-jersey-shore-1916-great-white — Strong historical context on the victims and how the attacks transformed public attitudes toward sharks.[nationalgeographic]

• Borough of Matawan, “History Matawan Shark Attacks”: https://www.matawanborough.com/matawan/History/Matawan%20Shark%20Attacks/The%20(World%20Famous)%20Matawan%20Shark%20Page!.html/_top — Local historical account of the July 12 Matawan Creek attacks involving Lester Stillwell, Stanley Fisher, and Joseph Dunn.[matawanborough]

• Borough of Matawan, “Excerpt from Sharks: Silent Hunters of the Deep”: https://www.matawanborough.com/matawan/Our%20COMMUNITY/History%20of%20Matawan/Matawan%20Shark%20Attacks/Excerpt%20from%20’Sharks%20-%20Silent%20Hunters%20of%20the%20Deep’.html/_top — Additional local chronology covering Charles Vansant at Beach Haven and Charles Bruder at Spring Lake.[matawanborough]

• Monmouth Timeline, “The Jersey Shore Shark Attacks of 1916”: https://monmouthtimeline.org/timeline/the-jersey-shore-shark-attacks-of-1916/ — Concise regional timeline of the events, especially the Matawan Creek portion.[monmouthtimeline]