BATHERS IN PERIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11030, 19 March 1914, Page 7

BATHERS IN PERIL.

TUSSLE WITH A SHARK. MAN'S TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE FOUR LIVES IN DANGER, The picturesque beach at the popular seaside resort of Port Noarlunga, about twenty miles couth of Adelaide, was the. scone of much excitement on a recent evening. One of a. party of four bathers had an exciting tussle with a shark, and the remainder of the party felt some, concern for his safety. Tho monster made a determined attack oil the bather, who managed to frighten it away, and by some miraculous moans escaped injury of any great extent. In recent years Fort Noarlunga has become a favourite rendezvous for holi-day-makers and week-enders. .ft has charms which fascinate visitors, and fishing and other attractions that have placed it in the forefront of the pleasure resorts within easy distance of Adelaide. Its only drawback at present is its inaccessibility to town folk. The clean, sandy beach is tho pride of the residents, and city people appreciate th© good fishing that may bo had in the bay or in the river. Running parallel with the beach, at a. comparatively short distance, is a reef which is almost hidden from view at high tide.

It was this beach that was nearly the scene of a tragedy last Monday. News of the incident readied Adelaide on Saturday with the return to the city-of a party which had taken a house at Port Noarlunga during the .holidays. The party consisted of Mr H. R. Rickards, bicycle builder, Pulteney Street; Mr A. G. Toyne, saddler, Pulteney Street; Mrs Toyne and Mr R. J. Copeland, who is a clerk for Messrs Eldav, Smith and Co. It was Mr Rickards who nearly lost his life, and had a thrilling adventure with a shark. When interviewed on Saturday Mr Rickards gave a reporter of "The Daily Herald" an account of what happened.

After an exceptionally hot day the night was beautifully calm. Not a tipple disturbed the surface of the water, and the conditions for a dip in the briny could not have been more plea-' sant. Chosing a spot about 150 yards south of the pier, the party entered the water about 8.30 p.m.,'just as it was getting dark. As tho four bathers entered the water Mr Toyne called to his wife to go out into deeper water. She answered that she thought there were sharks about, and it would bo unwise to go too far. "Why Mrs Toyne had that presentment cannot be understood, as, although sharks had frequently been seen and caught round the pier, no harm has been known to overtake any person while bathing. Mr Toyne ' dismissed his wife's suggestion with a remark that he thought she was over, cautious. About two minutes la tor, while he was stand-! ing in about 4ft of water, something brushed past his legs. At first he thought it was Mr Richards swimming under water, but seeing his friend standing quite close to him he naturally became suspicious, and gave the alarm. .The party turned to rush towards the shore, but scarcely had they moved when Mr .Richards called for assistance. He was terrified to see a large shark turning in j a position to attack him. The re-! mainder of the party caught a glimpse of the dorsal fin of a large shark above water, and the eight sent o thrill of terror through them. The bather fought with maniacal strength, and his frantic efforts to get out of the water had the effect of frightening the monster away. In his anxiety to reach shore, Mr Richards fell. Those onshore thought the unfortunate man had been dragged under the water, but their feelings were relieved- nest instant when he picked himself up and gained the shore in safety. He bore evidence of tho severity of his remarkable encounter, and sank on the' sand from sheer exhaustion. Blood was streaming down his left leg, and on one of his hands, from wounds made by the shark's teeth. The victim was taken straight home, where his injuries received attention. Sub-, sequently, Mr Copeland went for a stroll down tho pier. While recounting to a, group of excited listeners the story of the narrow escape his friend had experienced, Dr Counter, surgeondentist of North Adelaide, offered his services and the injured man's wounds were then properly dressed. A vivid description of his experi- '. ences was given by Mr Richards., who ' said:—"As soon as I saw the brute getting ready for me I let out a yell and turned for the shore. I was only up to my waist-in-the water, and Tj was horrified when the monster turned | to pursue me. I jumped and kicked and splashed about with all my strength, but something; caught my legnear the knee. Instinctively 1 put my hand-down to free myself, and I kept on splashing desperately and yelling at the top of my voice, the whole time. Deep cuts (pointing to his hands) were inflicted on my hands, and I think I must have gone close to putting one of my hands right in its mouth. Anyway, it must hare been on its teeth that I put my hands. Fortunately for me, I managed to frighten the shark away, and I reached shore in a very exhausted condition." Mr Eickards 6howed his interviewer the injuries on his leg, which clearly resemble the distinct marks from two sets of teeth, as they tore the flesh in a jagged manner. The bite measured Gin" across. A lot of people were > on the beach at the time, but they could not realise the danger the swimmer had undergone until they saw his leg. * Both Mr Copeland and Mrs Toyne assert that they saw the dark shadow of the shark moving under the water. Earlier tho same day a bather was seen to. swim out nearly to the reef. Had the shark attacked anyone in deep water, nothing could have averted a. fatality.