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.
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