This is not correct. Pat did not die from a shark attack, he died while diving. His dead body may have been attacked by a shark later, but he died from a diving related problem (his body has never been recovered).
The attack happened at Grays point.I went and got a copy of the report from the newspaper from micro film at the state library in Maquarie street ,Sydney.Definely one of the most terrifying attacks in Sydneys history of attacks.
Definetly in the top 5 worst attacks in Australia.Report in local newspaper on this tradgedy was horrific.I've visited the site of the attack,Horsefield Bay,and found out that there were quite a few locals that were aware of the attack,even though it took place a long time ago.It is a quiet,dark looking small bay with lots of little jetties protruding from waterfront cottages.The exact house and jetty where the tradgedy took place,I was not able to ascertain.It was very similar to some of those eerie looking bays in Middle Harbour,Sydney,where you just would NOT swim.
Totally wrong location for one of Australia's most horrific shark attacks.It took place just near Bantry Bay,Middle Harbour,Sydney.The papers at the time said the attack took place at a spot called 'Egg Rock'.Where the hell you guys got 'Castle Rock' from has got me beat.
Totally wrong location for one of Australia's most horrific shark attacks.It took place just near Bantry Bay,Middle Harbour,Sydney.The papers at the time said the attack took place at a spot called 'Egg Rock'.Where the hell you guys got 'Castle Rock' from has got me beat.
Steve was a very good friend of mine and has been dearly missed for the last 32 years. He was only 18 years young when the beast took him from us. He had just graduated from Pioneer High School in San Jose CA. His graduation present was a two week trip to Kauai, from which he would never return. Steve was an avid CBer (citizen band radio operator) who’s handle was Freebird. Not a day goes by that I do not think of him and what he could have been.
Lloyd a.k.a. Mad Hatter
My father, Fred Bowes was involved in the attack on Zita Steadman, in 1942. It was Bantry Bay.
Dad, my Mother, my Grandmother, Zita & the family dog hired a small boat from The Spit & motored up Middle Harbour, it was an overcast day.
After Zita selected where she wanted to stop, (she asked Dad to move from where he pulled ashore originally), Dad & the dog went swimming in the deep water, while Zita & Mum stood in about 4 feet' of water, in the 'Shallows'..
Mum called Dad in saying she was afraid of Sharks, & Zita then said, "Win, if a Shark has your number, that is all there is to it". These were to be her last ever words.
My Grandmother called the girls for lunch, as Mum responded & turned to wade back, the Shark attacked
right where she had been standing.
It took Zita across the shallows, Dad jumped into the water with an Oar attacking it. The shark grazed all down one of his legs in a passing sweep, then swam off the Ledge & dropped into the deep water, with Zita in it's mouth.
Dad & Mum still didn't know if she was dead or alive.
They jumped into the Boat & motored into the deep water. It was perfectly still Mum said.
The Shark then suddenly surfaced directly in front of the Boat, which hit it...it released Zita...they brought the boat about & Dad grabbed Zita's long black hair, to pulll her into the boat.....at this point the shark attacked again, biting Zita in two..
Dad fell back with Zita's torso, .the impact nearly throwing himd over the other side of the boat, into the water with the shark.
Neither the shark, nor Zita's remains were ever seen again.
On return to the Boatshed, after an hour trip with the bloddy Torso in the boat, (& the family plus the dog), the Boat Hirer told Dad that he had warned evbery boat, but theirs, of the Shark being up there.
Both my Parents took solace from Zita having a peacefull look on her face, showing that the initial Attack had been instantly fatal.
Dad was awarded a Medal, by the Royal Humane Society, for fighting this Shark, & attempting to save Zita's life
Mum & Dad had avoided Bantry Bay for 23 years until we went boating up there in the early 60s, as we reached the Attack Area, we saw a big Cruiser pulling out his catch....it was, of course, a Shark. I have been there many times, both prior to this & since....never have I seen another shark.
His body was found days later. Some fishermen caught the top half of his torso in their net and attached it to a channel marker buoy. The police retrieved the remains. This had to be a very large shark. I witnessed the covered remains laying under wraps on the deck of the police launch. There was nothing below the rib cage.
This attack actually occurred at South Cape Rivulet beach, and not really anywhere near Lion rock, which is a popular surfing destination. However it has been propagated ever since as 'near Lion Rock', probably because of the media attention at the time it happened.
While recently visiting Megans Bay, ST. Thomas USVI in Jan. 2008. I was followed by a 5-6 foot shark in 2-3feet of water for about 15 feet just waiting for me to jump in the water for a swim. When I notified the lifeguard he hushed me and did not want me to let anyone know so I would not chase the other tourist away. He said the shark was there all morning. When I asked a fisherman on the other end of the beach he claimed that Megans Bay is a Mating and Birthing area for sharks
While recently visiting Megans Bay, ST. Thomas USVI in Jan. 2008. I was followed by a 5-6 foot shark in 2-3feet of water for about 15 feet just waiting for me to jump in the water for a swim. When I notified the lifeguard he hushed me and did not want me to let anyone know so I would not chase the other tourist away. He said the shark was there all morning. When I asked a fisherman on the other end of the beach he claimed that Megans Bay is a Mating and Birthing area for sharks
Thank you for contributing, Warwick.
Until now,I'd been led to believe that your father attacked the shark from the boat,with the oar-not from the water.A very gutsy effort.He must of been a very brave man.Warwick,when the boatshed owner warned everybody about a shark in the area,was he specific about Bantry Bay,or was it Middle Harbour in general?
My brother was in the Water Police in Sydney Harbour for quite a few years,and he said that some huge sharks were seen in Bantry Bay-and that they were occasionally white sharks.Specifically,where exactly was the attack,because I can't work out where precisely Egg Rock is?Warwick,I also read somewhere that the shark was seen moments before the attack,and a warning screamed out.Would that have been your grandmother from the shore?
I'm wondering if there are any people out there who were associated with this attack-specifically surviving members of the Woods Family,and if so,what specifics can they provide for us on this tradgic attack.
Jayne,is the Phegans Bay side, the North or south side of Horsefield Bay?
By the way,how did you come by your information on this attack because I read all the microfilm from local papers in the State Library,and I don't recall that information being on there.
Jayne,can you give us more details if you have them on this attack?
I read that there were a lot of sharks in the Bay at the time,and that fisherman were catching them.
There are a series of photographs,black and white,on this attack that are available if you google this attack.They were taken by a Sydney Morning Herald photographer/journalist who was at the scene just after the attack.
I have been told by my father,that this attack had a huge effect upon people,because of the ferocity of the shark,the shallowness of the water in which it attacked,and reconfirmed the previous fear that Middle Harbour was no place to go for a swim.
There are a series of photographs,black and white,on this attack that are available if you google this attack.They were taken by a Sydney Morning Herald photographer/journalist who was at the scene just after the attack.
I have been told by my father,that this attack had a huge effect upon people,because of the ferocity of the shark,the shallowness of the water in which it attacked,and reconfirmed the previous fear that Middle Harbour was no place to go for a swim.
The fellow diving with Ken Murray when he was attacked,was Theo Brown,who did a lot of research after this attack on shark deterants,such as various dyes,etc.
The fellow diving with Ken Murray when he was attacked,was Theo Brown,who did a lot of research after this attack on shark deterants,such as various dyes,etc.
I grew up here drinking out if the water fountain memorial at Brighton Jetty & reports are that it was a 4m White pointer . Primrose or Kitty as she was known, dived into it's mouth while teaching children how to dive at the end of Brighton Jetty, some stories also state there were children in the water at the time & she dived into the mouth of the shark to save the children, which after Primrose saved another persons life in 1919 sounds like the sort of person she was.
This is not correct. I was there, but left the beach 10 mins before the attack. Mary came to the beach with 2 male workmates during the lunch break. She was sitting in water with her hands out the back when shark seized her arm & started dragging her out to sea. A Mrs Maxwell grabbed the other arm and held on, the bank boys splashed the water and shark chewed thru her arm. They rushed her to hospital where a new Doctor Ross Milne from England operated on her for several hours & thankfully thru his skill saved her. She had run 3rd I believe in Miss West Australia the previous year. Mrs Maxwell received the Royal Humane Society medal for her courage. Some 30 odd 200 litre drums were set with baits, and on the incoming tide over 20 sharks were caught. The 8th shark cut open had her arm, it was I believe a 6' grey nurse. I was actually there taking photographs (14 years old) and was chased off by Mr Tom Brown who said "get out of here Bobbie". I did, but got a photo of the shark which I lost many years later. So that is the correct version of what truly happened. Mary married an Accountant namely Stan Davies I do believe who worked with Street & Male. SO there you go.
In the early 1970s when I was a young boy, I met an elderly man from Australia who told me of a "Mrs. Whyte" who actually dove into the mouth of a shark. After reading the above comment, his words are confirmed.
the old bloke wally told me the stories of this at the start of 2009. he is a very wise fisherman who fishes eveyday off the jetty. RIP mrs Whyte! all the jetty jumpers down at brighton jetty will always remember the story of you. RIP. FTB
Actually, what made this attack special was that it was the first time a white shark actually devoured a victim in Australia (at least, to the authorities' knowledge). In this attack, the shark approached Ms. Durdin from behind and abruply bit her in two, then ate her at its leisure before any rescuers could reach the site.
Please see Dr. John E. McCosker's book, "Great White Shark," for an indepth exploration of this animal.
This boy was my uncle. He was killed by a tiger shark, it was hunted down and his bones found in its stomach. His leg was torn off near the hip. R.I.P. UNCLE RICHARD
I fell really bad for Nick's family. I believe nothing can make
his parents fell better. I have a 10 month old son, his name is Nicholas, he is my life. I am so sorry for him and his family. God be with you.
Marty Ford was a mate of mine .We used to catch the train from Lismore to Byron Bay together .When I moved away to college Marty moved to Byron .He was one of the first people I knew who ever owned a twin fin surfboard . A really nice guy he didnt have a bad bone in his body .His death was a big shock to everyone.Especially to the Byron Boys who had become his mates
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