Shark in Sydney Harbour

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 58, 2 November 1889, Page 3

Shark in Sydney Harbour

Sydney, Ocfc^er 22. A strange and awful n=<ht was witnessed oif Bradley Head f y MessiS ' Edmouds, Kiley, aud T: J?uucn. These gentlemen were out rowing fur exerdsej and when passiug between Clark .Island and Bradl^'s iuiad they noticed several immense-*, sharks disportiug themselves on the surface of the water. Upon, approaching nearer it v*a.i found that a female body was floationg at the spot where the sea monsters were. The party pulled toward the body, but -their advance was checked by tho sharks, "which immediately, turned, and, faciug the boat, made several rushes at them. The wouldsbe rescuers then drew off some little distance, aud were witn -sses of oue of the strangest sights which, could possibly be observed. The sea wolves appeared to be playing with the body, as with short intervals they would rush .with" terrific velocity towards it, aud diving under it would throw it clear out of the water, and upon its falling Itack; . would turn ~it over and over. The party in the boat signalled ■■to- -a small steam lauocu,~aucl the latter bore up and proceeded to get the body. Their efforts were futile, however, as the sharks faced and prevented them gettiug near it. Continued rushes were made at the launch, and in such a manuer it was deemed prudent to stand off. The boating party then proceeded to the city , and informed the water police, who immediately made their way to the spot and, after cousiderable personal risk, succeeded in getting the body. The body of the unfortunate girl, which has since been identified by the parents as Mary Fahey, one of the victims of the boat accident on Eight' Eours Day, presented a shocking aopearance when relieved of the .clothing in the inorgua. The left arm was missiug and the other was rery much mutilated. Other portions of the body were bruised and knooked about. When in the act of securing the body one of the voracious monsters seized hold of it and tore the left arm from the shoulder. The sharks followed the boat for some distance when the body was being conveyed to the quay.