The ten scariest shark encounters in history

Surfers and deep-sea explorers are most likely to experoience a negative shark encounter, though such occurrences are not commonplace. Recent concerns have been raised following reports by CNN stating that seven individuals have been killed by sharks in Australia as of October this year. The last time the country experienced such fatalities was in 1934. Globally, there have been 21 shark attack incidents this year, which is consistent with previous years; however, the significant difference lies in the fatality rate.

While some experts attribute this to fluctuations in annual figures, others suggest a potential link to the climate crisis. With rising ocean temperatures, ecosystems are being disrupted, leading to shifts in fish migration patterns and alterations in species behaviors. Consequently, sharks are following their prey and moving closer to popular coastlines.

Despite the portrayal of extreme shark attacks in movies, this time we will delve into the ten scariest shark encounters in history.

Rodney Fox

In 1963, Rodney Fox, then 23 years old, was competing for his Australian spear-fishing title when he faced a terrifying encounter with a great white shark. The predator seized him around the middle, dragging him through the water upside down. Fighting for his life, Fox gouged the shark's eyes, causing it to release him momentarily. However, the shark returned for another attack. In a desperate move, Fox thrust his arm into the shark's throat, freeing himself but sustaining severe injuries. Despite being dragged along the ocean floor and nearly drowning, Fox miraculously survived. He was rescued and brought aboard a nearby boat, with significant injuries requiring extensive surgery and 360 stitches.

Randall Fry

In 2004, Cliff Zimmerman and his friend Randall Fry were diving for abalone along the California coast when tragedy unfolded. Zimmerman recalled briefly turning away from Fry before hearing a sudden "whooshing sound" and sensing a disturbance in the water, as though a boat had passed by. Upon spinning around, Zimmerman discovered Fry missing, with a shark fin briefly surfacing before the water around them turned crimson. In a desperate bid for survival, Zimmerman swam for his life, only for Fry's severed head and body to be discovered separately the next day.

Terrence Manuel

In 1974, Terrence Manuel encountered a harrowing ordeal when a 10-foot white pointer tore off his right leg. Manuel, aged 26 at the time, had been diving for sea snails in 30 feet of water when he abruptly surfaced, shouting a warning about the shark to his friend, John Talbot. Despite Talbot's efforts to assist Manuel into their boat, he was unable to prevent the attack. Tragically, Talbot was left to witness Manuel bleeding to death in the water, helpless to intervene further.

Barry Wilson

In 1952, while swimming near Lover's Point along the Californian coast, 17-year-old Barry Wilson was observed by witnesses suddenly jerking from side to side. Shortly after, the young tuba player let out a scream as a shark emerged from the water, attacking him from the front and pulling him under. Wilson resurfaced moments later, screaming and thrashing in a pool of blood. Despite the efforts of five fellow swimmers who struggled for 30 minutes to bring him back to shore through the rough surf, Wilson tragically succumbed to his injuries and bled to death before reaching the shore.

Pacific Coast

In 1984, a series of four shark attacks unfolded along the Pacific Coast of the United States within a span of 15 days. The tragic sequence commenced with the death of a 28-year-old abalone diver, Omar Conger. While Conger was resting upright in the water and gazing seaward, his companion Chris Rehm witnessed a great white shark emerge from the water behind him. Recounting the incident later, Rehm described how the shark grabbed Conger from behind, violently shaking him before dragging him underwater. After resurfacing, the shark turned towards Rehm, who managed to pull Conger onto their dive mat and swim ashore, but tragically, Conger succumbed to his injuries and bled to death in the water.

Robert Pamperin

In June 1959, while diving for sea snails off La Jolla Cove in California, Robert Pamperin encountered a horrifying fate. His companion, Gerald Lehrer, heard his desperate cries for help and turned to witness Pamperin's alarming position in the water, missing his diving mask. Approaching closer, Lehrer witnessed Pamperin gradually being pulled beneath the surface by a massive 22-foot shark. Despite Lehrer's attempts to intervene, Pamperin vanished into the depths. The subsequent search conducted by the US Coast Guard yielded only a lone swim fin, offering grim evidence of the tragic incident.

Jersey Shore

During the scorching heat wave of 1916, a series of fatal shark attacks rattled the New Jersey coast in the United States, claiming four lives. The first victim, 25-year-old Charles Vansant, bled to death after sharks viciously tore the flesh from his thigh while he was swimming in the early evening. Five days later, Charles Bruder, 27, suffered a similar fate when a shark attacked him, severing his legs and tearing into his abdomen as he swam off the Spring Lake beach.

The culmination of attacks occurred six days later on July 12 in Matawan Creek. Lester Stillwell, a 12-year-old local boy, was dragged underwater by a shark while playing in the creek with friends. Stanley Fisher, 24, bravely entered the water to search for Stillwell but became another victim of the shark's aggression, succumbing to his injuries. The mutilated body of the 12-year-old was discovered washed up 150 feet upstream two days later.

Shirley Ann Durdin

In 1985, Shirley Ann Durdin was scallop diving in Australia's Peake Bay when she encountered a colossal great white shark measuring around 20 feet in length. Tragically, in its initial attack, the powerful creature tore the 33-year-old woman in half while her husband and four children witnessed the horrific scene from the shore. When rescuers reached the scene, only her headless torso was found floating in the water. Within a short span, the shark returned and consumed the remains entirely, leaving no trace behind.

The HMS Birkenhead

In 1852, the HMS Birkenhead sank off the coast of South Africa, resulting in a tragic maritime disaster. Over 600 passengers and crew were aboard, including soldiers, women, and children. As the ship went down, many faced the mercy of the sea and its predators. Reports indicate that survivors were subjected to shark attacks while awaiting rescue. Despite the chaos, the soldiers aboard the Birkenhead famously stood firm, allowing women and children to board lifeboats first. This act of selflessness became legendary, earning the Birkenhead its place in maritime history as a symbol of courage and sacrifice amidst perilous circumstances.

USS Indianapolis

More than 900 men were thrown to the mercy of the sharks of the Pacific Ocean when their American warship, the USS Indianapolis, was split in two by Japanese torpedoes in July 1945. When rescuers arrived in the spot four days later, they found 579 men dead, with many chewed to pieces by circling sharks. Woody James, among just 316 survivors, said "The sharks were around, hundreds of them...Everything would be quiet and then you'd hear somebody scream and you knew a shark had got him."

Words by Ross Williams

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