FEROCIOUS SHARKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1923, Page 1

FEROCIOUS SHARKS.

DES PER ATE EX CO ENTERS. SYDNEY, July J. A feeling of consternation has spread through coastal fishermen at the reports of ferocious attacks upon small boats that have been made by sharks on the South Const of New South Wales. It. is said that there is an abnormal winter shortage of the small fish upon which ihe sharks are accustomed to prey, and that driven by hunger they are more daring aiul vicious than they have ever been known to be before. Following the horrible tragedy off Bell,amid, a small south coast centre about a fortnight ago, when a school of sharks attacked a small boat containing four coalminers who were spending the day fishing, and knocking a hole in the bottom of the boat caused it to iiil and turn over, three men losing their lives, at least three attacks have taken place, with terrify-ing experiences for the occupants. Up to this time there wan no record of sm-h an attack

in these waters, and. in fact, in the sailing season capsizes in shark-infested parts of the harbour have caused no ahum. '1 ho occupants hanging on to the boats, and waiting to be picked up. The theory was that a .shark was scared bv the boat.

One of the attack.-: during the past week occurred almost in the same spot as the tragedy referred to above, and it is thought that tile sharks must have been the same ones, with their appetites and courage whetted by the horrible meal that the previous attack had afforded. At any rate, the method of attack was similar. the monsters making at the boat in a

school. There were two men in the bout, and they could hear the swirl of the water before they realised that the black and shining objects moving rapidly in llieir direction were sharks. There acre several of the monsters with their great head-; on tiie side, and their terrible teeth bared and glittering white in the sun. 'The men say that there can he no doubt, that the sharks were deliberately making for the boat, i as they headed straight for it. In j tiieir agony of mind the men were alI must petrified, hui one of tliem with great presence of mind, seized nn oar and set up a great commotion ill the water. Tlte effect is described as having been extraordinary the sharks, then within a few yards of the boat, wheeling like a flash to right and loft and shooting off in different directions. Almost directly afterwards Ihe boat was bumped on flic- opposite side, almost capsizing, ami a black object was seen to dive away. It is thought that it wits either one of the attacking sharks that had dived in fear when the water was disturbed with the oar or another one that had I icon coining from the opposite direction, and which the men had failed to notice, owing to their attention being riveted on those proceeding from the opposite direction.

Taking no more risks for that day, the men returned in hot haste to the shore. During the week also, two individual fishermen a little further north, had similar, though less exciting experiences. one of them being determinedly followed by large shark, which kepi wheeling about round the boat., and the oilier, while rowing shoreward in the evening, observing three probably tollowing him, and coming perilously near, to the boat, but appaiently seared of’j Hie rapidly plying oars. Fishermen! are at. loss to know how to protect meniscives. Some talk of carrying guns in the boats, a.-, the sharks make an excellent mark, and some have suggested carrying charges of dynamite, which, they believe, would either kill or effectually scare the monsters.