ADVENTURE WITH A SHARK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 5

ADVENTURE WITH A SHARK.

HEROIC RESCUE EFFECTED.

An exciting adventure with a shark befel G. Craig and J. MacDiarmid in the Parra matta River (N.S.W.) on Sunday week.

The two were drifting down the river from Mortlake in a skiff, when the bites on their lines suggested the presence of a shark. A shark line was thereupon improvised, a keljick line being used. Presently the dorsal fin of a shark was seen cutting through the water about 100 yds distant. Not long after a terrific tug at the line forced Craig to release his hold. Then the kellick rope shot swiftly into the water, and the shark rose to the surface, swishing about near the recking boat. Craig and MacDiarmid, each armed with an oar, struck at the shark.

Suddenly MacDiarmid overbalanced, and the next moment he was floundering some yards from the skiff. The situation was serious, as close to the frightened swimmer a shark lashed the surface of the water. Craig acted promptly. He seized one of the side seals in the boat and hurled it, with all his strength at the shark. He then jumped into the assistance of MacDiarmid, who was not a strong swimmer. Meanwhile both shark and boat had drifted away. Shouting for help, Craig caught his friend below the shoulders and swam on his back for the shore, a distance of 80yds. He landed not far from Putney Point. The skiff floated in later.