I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916

Hermenn Oelrichs offered $500 to anyone who could prove a shark attacking humans.

The first shark attack happened on July 2, 1916. The second shark attack happened on July 7, 1916. The third shark attack happened at the New Jersey Creek on July 13, 1916.

In the shark attacks, 4 people were killed. Charles Vansant and Charles Bruder were fatally wounded. 11 year old Lester Stillwell was killed while swimming in Matawan Creek. Stanley Fisher was attacked while trying to rescue Lester. 12 year old Joseph Dunn was bitten on the leg but survived.

Shark attacks are very rare because most sharks just attack because they mistake us for seals and bigger fish.

The 4 species of sharks that are known to attack humans are bull sharks, great white sharks, tiger sharks, and hammer head sharks.

Every year, at least 100 sharks are killed for their fins for shark fin soup. It is so sad!!!

The place with the most shark attacks is Florida. It has an average of 30 shark attacks a year.

How to Avoid Shark Attacks

• always swim in a group.
• Don't wander too far from the shore.
• Don't swim at night, dawn, or dusk.
• Don't go swimming  if you are bleeding.
• Don't swim in water with sewage.

How to Avoid Shark Attacks (continued)

• Don't wear shiny things because they look like fish scales.
• Avoid waters that are being fished in.
• Don't splash a lot because erratic movements attract sharks.
• Sandbars and steep-drop offs are sharks' favorite hideout places.

Fun Facts

• Sharks sink if they stop swimming.
• There are more than 400 species of sharks.
• Whale sharks are really giant but only eat tiny plankton. 
• The dog fish shark is 8 inches long!
• Sharks lose 500 hundred teeth in their lifetime!