Digital image of a shark with open mouth coming out of water and people running

Art by Randy Pollak

CCSS

R.1, R.3, R.4, R.7, W.3, SL.1, L.4, L.6

Summer of Blood

The true story of the shark attacks of 1916

May 2024

by Lauren Tarshis

Before You Read: Check out our Background Builder slideshow

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

Terror at the Jersey Shore
In July 1916, there was a series of shark attacks along the New Jersey coast. Three men and one boy died.

It was July 12, 1916. Twelve-year-old

Joseph Dunn was running toward Matawan Creek. Behind him were his 14-year-old brother, Michael, and their buddy Jerry. When they reached the dock, Joe jumped into the cool water.

Splash!

What could be better than this?

Joe and Michael lived in New York City, but they often came to Cliffwood, New Jersey. Their aunt lived there. The tiny town wasn’t a fancy place. But to Joe and Michael, Cliffwood was heaven. It was a fun escape from the hot summer in the city. In Cliffwood, they could cool off in the muddy creek.

But that day, their happy swim ended suddenly.

A man appeared on the dock. He was sweaty and out of breath. “There’s a shark in the creek!” he yelled.

A shark? In the creek?

Frantically, Joe swam toward the dock. He felt something grab his leg. It was like a giant pair of scissors.

Crunch.

The water around him turned bright red.

Joseph Dunn had just become a victim in a famous series of shark attacks. By the time the attacks were over, three men and one boy had died.

Joe didn’t know what was happening to him. He had only one thought: He was about to die.

It was July 12, 1916. Joseph Dunn, 12, ran toward Matawan Creek. Behind him were his 14-year-old brother, Michael, and their friend Jerry. When they reached the dock, Joe jumped into the water.

Splash!

What could be better than this?

Joe and Michael lived in New York City, but they often came to Cliffwood, New Jersey. Their aunt lived there. The boys loved the town. Summer in the city was hot. In Cliffwood, they could cool off in the creek.

But that day, their swim was cut short.

A man appeared on the dock. He was sweaty and out of breath. “There’s a shark in the creek!” he yelled.

A shark? In the creek?

Frantically, Joe swam toward the dock. He felt something grab his leg. It was like a huge pair of scissors.

Crunch.

The water turned red.

Joe had just become a victim in a famous series of shark attacks. The attacks killed three men and one boy.

Joe didn’t know what was happening. He had just one thought: He was about to die.

It was July 12, 1916, and 12-year-old Joseph Dunn was running toward Matawan Creek. Behind him were his 14-year-old brother, Michael, and their buddy Jerry. When they reached the dock, Joe jumped into the cool water.

Splash!

What could be better than this?

Joe and Michael lived in New York City, but they often visited their aunt in Cliffwood, New Jersey. Although the tiny town wasn’t a fancy place, it was heaven as far as Joe and Michael were concerned. It was a wonderful escape from the hot summer in the city. In Cliffwood, they could always cool off in the muddy creek.

But that day, their refreshing swim ended suddenly.

A man appeared on the dock, sweaty and out of breath. “There’s a shark in the creek!” he shouted.

A shark? In the creek?

As Joe swam frantically toward the dock, he felt something clamp onto his leg. It was like an enormous pair of scissors.

Crunch.

The water around him turned bright red.

Joseph Dunn had just become a victim in a famous series of shark attacks that would leave three men and one boy dead.

Joe didn’t know what was happening to him, but he felt certain he was about to die.

PAUSE AND THINK: What happened to Joseph Dunn on July 12, 1916?

“Look Out!”

The attacks had begun 11 days before, in a town more than 70 miles south of Cliffwood. Charles Vansant, 25, was swimming. Then loud shouts came from the beach.

“Look out!”

A shark slammed its jaws shut around Vansant’s left leg. Six men rushed into the water and pulled him onto the beach. Vansant died an hour later.

Witnesses had no doubt what had happened. Yet as the story spread, few believed it. Yes, Charles Vansant had been attacked by a sea creature. But a shark? That seemed impossible.

In 1916, the study of ocean life was a new science. Almost nothing was known about large sharks. But there was one “fact” about sharks that most people believed: No shark would bite a human.

Even scientists believed that sharks were shy creatures. They thought every shark had weak jaws and a small appetite. To most people, Vansant’s death was just a freak accident.

Then five days later, it happened again.

The attacks had begun 11 days before, in a town more than 70 miles from Cliffwood. Charles Vansant, 25, was swimming. Shouts came from the beach.

“Look out!”

A shark closed its jaws around Vansant’s leg. Six men rushed into the water and pulled him onto the beach. He died an hour later.

Witnesses had no doubt what had happened. Yet few others believed it. Vansant had been attacked by a sea creature. But a shark? That seemed impossible.

Why? In 1916, the study of ocean life was a new science. Not much was known about large sharks. But most people believed this: No shark would bite a human.

Even scientists believed that sharks were shy creatures. They thought every shark had weak jaws and a small appetite.

To most people, Vansant’s death was just a freak accident.

Then five days later, it happened again.

The attacks had begun 11 days earlier, in a town more than 70 miles south of Cliffwood. Charles Vansant, 25, was swimming when loud shouts came from the beach.

“Look out!”

A shark slammed its jaws shut around Vansant’s left leg. Six men rushed into the water and pulled him onto the beach. Vansant died an hour later.

Witnesses had no doubt what had happened—and yet as the story spread, it was met with disbelief. Although Charles Vansant had clearly been attacked by a sea creature, it seemed impossible that it had been a shark.

In 1916, the study of ocean life was a new science. Practically nothing was known about large sharks, but the “fact” that no shark would ever bite a human was widely accepted.

Even scientists believed sharks were shy creatures and that every shark had weak jaws and a small appetite. Most people considered Vansant’s death a freak accident.

Then five days later, it happened again.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why didn’t people believe a shark had attacked Vansant?

Changed Overnight

On July 6, Charles Bruder, 27, was swimming south of Cliffwood. Suddenly, he was attacked by a large shark.

This time, there were few doubts about what had happened. Soon, every beach up and down the shore was closed. Overnight, people’s ideas about sharks changed. The “tame” creatures were suddenly seen as monsters.

But later, scientists realized that these ideas were also wrong. Most sharks do not deliberately attack humans. Many bites happen when a shark mistakes a swimmer for a seal or sea lion.

It may never be known what caused this shark to attack humans. But the “man-eater of New Jersey” would soon kill again.

On July 6, Charles Bruder, 27, was swimming south of Cliffwood. A large shark attacked him.

This time, there were few doubts about what had happened. Soon every beach up and down the shore was closed. Overnight, people’s ideas about sharks changed. The creatures seemed like monsters.

But later, scientists learned that these ideas were wrong too. Most sharks don’t deliberately attack humans. Many bites happen when a shark mistakes a swimmer for a seal or sea lion.

We may never know what caused this shark to attack humans. But the “man-eater of New Jersey” would soon kill again.

On July 6, Charles Bruder, 27, was swimming south of Cliffwood when he was attacked by a large shark.

There were few doubts about what had happened this time, and soon every beach up and down the shore was closed. Overnight, people stopped seeing sharks as timid creatures and began regarding them as monsters.

But later, scientists realized that these ideas were also incorrect. In general, sharks don’t deliberately attack humans. When a human is bitten, it’s frequently because the shark mistakes a swimmer for a seal or sea lion.

It may never be known what caused this shark to attack humans—but the “man-eater of New Jersey” would soon kill again.

PAUSE AND THINK: How did this attack change people’s ideas about sharks?

Why Worry?

When Joseph, Michael, and Jerry jumped into the creek on July 12, they must have known about the attacks. But why would the boys worry?

The creek was 15 miles away from the sea. It seemed as safe as a bathtub.

But the creek is linked to the Atlantic Ocean. Fishermen traveled into the creek from the ocean all the time. If a boat could make that journey, why not a shark?

One of the few people who understood this was Thomas Cottrell. He used to be a sea captain. Cottrell was walking along the creek that day when he saw a shark.

The captain raced into a crowded barbershop. “There’s a shark in the creek!” he shouted.

Nobody moved. Everyone thought he was just a confused old man. So Cottrell rushed to the dock and fired up his boat.

He steered it up the creek, shouting out warnings to swimmers.

When Joe, Michael, and Jerry jumped into the creek on July 12, they must have known about the attacks. But why would they worry? The creek was 15 miles from the sea. It seemed as safe as a bathtub.

But the creek is linked to the Atlantic Ocean. Fishermen went into the creek from the ocean all the time. If a boat could make that trip, why not a shark?

A few people understood this. One was Thomas Cottrell. He had been a sea captain. Cottrell was walking along the creek that day when he saw a shark.

He raced into a barbershop. “There’s a shark in the creek!” he shouted.

No one moved. People thought he was just a confused old man. So he rushed to the dock and fired up his boat.

He steered it up the creek, shouting warnings to swimmers.

When Joseph, Michael, and Jerry jumped into the creek on July 12, they must have known about the attacks. But why would they worry? The creek, 15 miles away from the sea, seemed as safe as a bathtub.

But the creek is linked to the Atlantic Ocean. Fishermen traveled into the creek from the ocean all the time—and if a boat could make that journey, why not a shark?

One of the few people who understood this was Thomas Cottrell, a former sea captain. Cottrell was walking along the creek that day when he spotted a shark.

Racing into a crowded barbershop, the captain shouted, “There’s a shark in the creek!”

When everyone ignored him, believing he was simply a confused old man, Cottrell rushed to the dock and fired up his boat. He steered it up the creek, shouting warnings to swimmers.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why did Joe think it would be safe to swim in the creek?

Sharks In Danger
Every year, more than 100 million sharks are killed by humans. Some species are even at risk of dying out. How can you help? Watch the video below to learn more.

In Danger

As Joe, Michael, and Jerry started their swim, they had no idea what was happening up the creek. A few minutes earlier, a shark had killed two more people. It wasn’t until they heard someone shouting that the boys knew they were in danger.

By then, it was too late.

The shark pulled Joe under the water. Michael and Jerry tried to wrestle Joe free, but the shark was too strong.

Then a boat appeared. It was Captain Cottrell and two other men. Those men jumped into the water. They tried to pull Joe from the shark. Joe was sure he’d be ripped in two.

But suddenly, the shark opened its jaws.

Joe was free.

Back on land, he was rushed to the hospital. Nobody believed he would survive.

As Joe, Michael, and Jerry started their swim, they didn’t know what was happening up the creek. A few minutes earlier, a shark had killed two more people. It wasn’t until they heard someone shouting that the boys knew they were in danger.

By then, it was too late.

The shark pulled Joe under the water. Michael and Jerry tried to pull him free. But the shark was too strong.

Then a boat appeared. It was Captain Cottrell and two other men. Those men jumped into the water. They tried to pull Joe free. Joe thought he’d be ripped in two.

Then the shark opened its jaws.

Joe was free.

Back on land, he was rushed to the hospital. No one thought he would survive.

As Joe, Michael, and Jerry started their swim, they were completely unaware of the horrifying events taking place up the creek. (Only a few minutes earlier, a shark had killed two more people.) It wasn’t until they heard someone shouting that the boys realized they were in danger—and by that time, it was too late.

The shark pulled Joe under the water. Michael and Jerry tried to wrestle Joe free, but the shark was too strong.

Then Captain Cottrell arrived in his boat with two other men, who jumped into the water and tried to pull Joe from the shark. Joe was sure he’d be ripped in two.

But suddenly, the shark opened its jaws.

Joe was free.

Back on land, he was rushed to the hospital. Nobody believed he would survive.

PAUSE AND THINK: Who helped Joe when a shark attacked him?

Shark Safety

Shark attacks are very rare. But here are ways to be extra safe.

1- Don’t Swim Alone.

Sharks are more likely to attack lone swimmers, so stay in a group.

2- Don’t Swim with a Dog.

A paddling dog moves like a wounded sea mammal, which could attract sharks.

3- Don’t Wear Jewelry.

Shiny metal can draw sharks near.

4- Don’t Swim at Dawn or Dusk.

This is when sharks feed, so it’s best to stay out of the water.

1- Don’t Swim Alone.

Sharks are more likely to attack lone swimmers, so stay in a group.

2- Don’t Swim with a Dog.

A paddling dog moves like a wounded sea mammal, which could attract sharks.

3- Don’t Wear Jewelry.

Shiny metal can draw sharks near.

4- Don’t Swim at Dawn or Dusk.

This is when sharks feed, so it’s best to stay out of the water.

1- Don’t Swim Alone.

Sharks are more likely to attack lone swimmers, so stay in a group.

2- Don’t Swim with a Dog.

A paddling dog moves like a wounded sea mammal, which could attract sharks.

3- Don’t Wear Jewelry.

Shiny metal can draw sharks near.

4- Don’t Swim at Dawn or Dusk.

This is when sharks feed, so it’s best to stay out of the water.

War With Sharks

The Matawan attacks shocked the world. By the next day, America had gone to war—against sharks.

Fishermen charged out to sea, ready to kill. Women with rifles stood on creek banks. President Woodrow Wilson sent a Coast Guard ship into the waters off New Jersey. Its orders: Destroy any shark.

Then on July 14, a man caught a great white shark near Matawan Creek. Inside the shark’s belly were 15 pounds of what appeared to be human flesh and bones.

The world cheered! It seemed like the man-eater had been found.

And on September 15, Joe left the hospital. He fully recovered and lived into old age. He almost never talked about the summer of 1916. But those who knew him said he always thought he was a lucky man.

After all, he had escaped the New Jersey man-eater.

The Matawan attacks shocked the world. America went to war—against sharks.

Fishermen charged out to sea, ready to kill. Women with rifles stood on creek banks. President Woodrow Wilson sent a Coast Guard ship into the waters off New Jersey. Its orders: Destroy any shark.

On July 14, a man caught a great white shark near Matawan Creek. Inside its belly were 15 pounds of what seemed to be human flesh and bones.

The world cheered! It seemed like the man-eater had been found.

And on September 15, Joe left the hospital. He fully recovered and lived into old age. He almost never talked about the summer of 1916. But those who knew him said he felt lucky.

He had escaped the New Jersey man-eater.

The Matawan attacks shocked the world. By the following day, America had gone to war—against sharks.

Fishermen charged out to sea, prepared to kill. Women armed with rifles stood on creek banks. President Woodrow Wilson sent a Coast Guard ship into the waters off New Jersey with orders to destroy any shark.

Then, on July 14, a man caught a great white shark near Matawan Creek—and inside its belly were 15 pounds of what appeared to be human flesh and bones.

The world celebrated! It seemed clear that the man-eater had been found.

And on September 15, Joe was released from the hospital. He recovered completely and lived into old age. He almost never talked about the summer of 1916, but those who knew him said he considered himself a fortunate man.

After all, he had escaped the New Jersey man-eater.

PAUSE AND THINK: How long was Joe in the hospital?

ACTIVITY:
Finding Text Evidence

You’ve just read “Summer of Blood.” Now it’s time to try this activity.

Tip: Text evidence means details in a story that support an answer or show that it is true.

What to do: Use text evidence—or details from the article—to answer the questions below. We did the first one for you.

You’ve just read “Summer of Blood.” Now it’s time to try this activity.

Tip: Text evidence means details in a story that support an answer or show that it is true.

What to do: Use text evidence—or details from the article—to answer the questions below. We did the first one for you.

You’ve just read “Summer of Blood.” Now it’s time to try this activity.

Tip: Text evidence means details in a story that support an answer or show that it is true.

What to do: Use text evidence—or details from the article—to answer the questions below. We did the first one for you.

What happened to local beaches after a shark attacked Charles Bruder?

HINT: Look for the answer in the section “Changed Overnight.”

Answer: After Bruder was attacked, every beach up and down the shore was closed.

What happened to local beaches after a shark attacked Charles Bruder?

HINT: Look for the answer in the section “Changed Overnight.”

Answer: After Bruder was attacked, every beach up and down the shore was closed.

What happened to local beaches after a shark attacked Charles Bruder?

HINT: Look for the answer in the section “Changed Overnight.”

Answer: After Bruder was attacked, every beach up and down the shore was closed.

What did Thomas Cottrell do after he saw a shark in the creek?

HINT: Look for the answer in the section “Why Worry?”

What did Thomas Cottrell do after he saw a shark in the creek?

HINT: Look for the answer in the section “Why Worry?”

What did Thomas Cottrell do after he saw a shark in the creek?

HINT: Look for the answer in the section “Why Worry?”