How America's First Shark Panic Spurred a Century of Fear | National Geographic

It was 100 years ago that America became terrified of sharks. In 1916, a great white was blamed for the first spate of shark attacks recorded in US history. That summer, the East Coast sweltered in a relentless heat wave. Along the New Jersey shore, thousands had discovered a new pastime: swimming in the ocean.

On July 1st, bathers spotted a man thrashing in the surf. He was helped to shore but soon bled to death. Five days later, up the coast, another swimmer was attacked; he too died soon after. Public attention and fear were fixed on this mysterious killer.

The next attacks were even more surprising because of their location—far up the seemingly peaceful Mwan Creek, where 11 miles from the open ocean, it's the old white Cof Do Air. This is where all the action happened. The location is spectacular as far as world shark attacks go. Stanley Fisher was killed while trying to recover the half-eaten body of 11-year-old Lester Stillwell a few days after the Mwan attacks.

This great white was caught in the bay that leads to the creek; reportedly, its stomach contained human remains. Because Mwan Creek, where the attacks took place, is basically fresh water, some now believe a bull shark might have been to blame. The cause of the New Jersey attacks is still in question.

In the century that followed, the events have remained unique in the Northeast US. But for the reputation of great white sharks, the damage was done. The image of sharks as monsters was set in the popular imagination, inspiring the iconic 1975 film Jaws—a story with strong parallels to the 1916 events. It is as if God created the devil and gave him jaws.

Despite overwhelming evidence against the likelihood of shark attacks, 100 years later, sharks remain a symbol of terror.