FIGHT WITH A SHARK

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3491, 29 October 1926, Page 2

FIGHT WITH A SHARK

CHASED BY SURF BOAT. AN EXCITING STRUGGLE. Several thousand people witnessed a thrilling chase after a shark off the Qucenscliff. end of Manly Beach or: Sunday, October 17, says a Sydney paper. Four surf boats took part in the chase, and the shark was harpooned from one of the boats, manned by members of the Freshwater Surf Life-Saving Club, and killed. About 10 a.m., a large crowd of surfers,, attracted by the bright sunny weather, was on the beach. The Qucenscliff Club had its patrol on the beach, and following its usual practice, one of the men was stationed on the rocks. This lookout man signalled the presence of a large shark, and the surfers, warned by the beach patrol, loft the water without delay. Two surf lifeboats, manned by members of the Qucenscliff and North Steynn Surf Life-Saving Clubs, wore launched, and set out in pursuit; of the shark. These boats were later reinforced by two boats from the Freshwater Club, and for some time cruised about in search of the monster. The shark, when located, showed signs of fight. One of the oars used by the Freshwater crews was bitten by the shark, but soon afterwards Percy Smith, the Drummoync long-distance swimmer,. who, armed with a knife attached to the end of an oar to do duty as a harpoon, was stationed in the bow of the boat, got within striking distance. With deliberate aim, Mr. Smith threw the weapon. Tho first jal struck the shark, and after a furious chase the men were able to sink the knife into tho shark behind his head. But tho knife came away from the oar shaft.' Maddened with pain, the shark rushed at the boat, and in the efforts to evade its charges the boat became half-full of water. Rowing in through the surf at Qucenscliff. tire men bailed out their boat and gave the aln.rm. The harpooner, after sharpening the point, of the oar shaft, went out. with the Qucenscliff boat, and after a short search the crew located the shark again. As soon as the shark came to the surface, the harpooner jabbed (him with the pointed stick, rousing the shark's fury again. Ho rushed at tho boat with his mouth wide open, and, seizing the opportunity, tho mam handling the stick plunged it deep down his open jaws into his gullet. Apparently it was a fatal blow, for tho shark fell away, and tho surfmen saw his body turning over and over in the water as it sank to the bottom. Hundreds of residents and visitors watched the final stages of the extraordinary battle from tho cliffs near by. The Icntgh of tho shark was about 10ft.