MAN-AND-SHARK FIGHT.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 217, 13 October 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

MAN-AND-SHARK FIGHT.

A desperate battle between the miii or u prominent Philadelphia doctor and n man-eating shark took place recent!) at Beach Haven, New Jersey, where Mr. Charles E. Yansant met his deeit'j after fighting against terrible odds. Mr. Yansant was twenty-three ye.irof age, a graduate of the University of Pennvslvana, and the son of Dr. K L. Yansant. of that city. H's heroic struggle and his escape from the jaws of the sea-monster after his left leg had been actuall> torn from his bod., were witnessed by scores of fellowbathers, who at first saw in his deaf - struggles only the diverting antics of an expert swimmer. Mr. Yansant, although he succeeded in reaching the shallow water, ami thereby compelled the shark to relen-r. its hoid, died two hours later fr.;u loss of blood.

The grim fight, which lasted about fifteen minutes, and took place only 150 feet from the shore, is the first on record in the New Jersey batlvng resorts.

The young athlete arrived at Bench Haven, accompanied by his paren and his two sisters, early in the arte •- noon, and quickly proceeded to join a party of friends in the surf. Suddenly, when fifty yards from the shore, h* uttered a cry for help. His friends, thinking that he was joking or trying to induce a dog, wl ich a few nynutes before had been playing with him. to return to the water, paid no heed to the cry. Again and aagin the young man shouted for help —all in vain.

When at last, a few yards from t!,e shore, the dorsal fin of the grei 1 ; :'sh showed above the surface of the water, in an instant a dozen men ran nto th. < ? .water to aid Yansant. The fish released its hold and turned for decuf.r water, making its escape.