Shark Attacked Boat, But Came Off Second Best

Northern Advocate, 28 February 1949, Page 5

Shark Attacked Boat, But Came Off Second Best

SYDNEY, Mon. (11.30 a.m.) —Five life-savers in'a surf boat used their oars and a lifeline to stun and capture a grey nurse shark weighing 5931 b when the shark attacked their boat off Mona Vale beach.

The boat was on shark patrol 400 yards beyond the surfing area when the shark crashed into the stern, almost throwing the sweep hand overboard. One man waited until the shark came in again and then jabbed the blade of his oar into the fish’s gills, while two others clubbed the shark with their oars. Another member of the crew seized the tail of the stunned shark and secured it with a line from the box line outfit carried in the boat. When the shark regained consciousness it was being strung up on the clubhouse wall. Later enterprising surfers placed the shark on exhibition at and

collected over £SO for club funds. Another shark, 12ft long, threw a youth off a surf ski at Newport Beach and then cruised around him for 10 minutes while the youth clung to the overturned ski and beat the shark off with a paddle. The shark came to the surface under the ski, tossing it in the air. Surf club members immediately called all surfers from the water with a siren. , Club members on skis attempted a rescue but were swept off by heavy seas. Finally, one member brought the man in unharmed.