A shark coming out of the water as people run away
Randy Pollak

Summer of Terror

The true story of the shark attacks of 1916

By Lauren Tarshis
From the May/June 2022 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will learn about the terrifying shark attacks of 1916. They will also observe how the author uses descriptive details and figurative language to engage readers. 

Lexile: 800L-900L, 600L-700L
Guided Reading Level: T
DRA Level: 50
Other Key Skills: descriptive details, key details, figurative language, text features, text evidence, problem and solution, synthesis, text-to-self
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UP CLOSE: Descriptive Details

As you read, look for the descriptive words and phrases the author uses to help you picture living through the summer of 1916.

It was July 12, 1916, and 12-year-old Joseph Dunn was sprinting toward Matawan Creek. Behind him were his 14-year-old brother, Michael, and their buddy Jerry Hollohan. They reached the dock and Joe leaped off into the cool water.

Splash!

What could be better than this?

Joe and Michael lived in New York City. But they came to Cliffwood, New Jersey, where their aunt lived, as often as they could. The tiny town wasn’t a fancy place. There were no hotels, no white-sand beaches with rolling waves. Matawan Creek was a muddy waterway whose banks were lined with brick and tile factories. But to Joe and Michael, Cliffwood was paradise, a happy escape from the misery of summer in New York City.

And that summer had been blazing hot. The heat brought particular suffering to city dwellers, and not just the humans. Horses fainted in the stifling air. Dogs yelped as they walked along stove-hot sidewalks.

Out in Cliffwood, Joe and Michael could forget all that. They could play baseball with Jerry and other local kids. They could buy ice-cream cones for a nickel. Best of all, they could cool off in the creek.

But their carefree mood was soon interrupted by shouts. A man appeared on the dock, sweat-soaked and out of breath. What he said next nearly stopped Joe’s heart: “There’s a shark in the creek!”

A shark? In the creek?

Frantically, Joe swam toward the dock, where Michael and Jerry were already out of the water. Michael was reaching down to help Joe climb out when Joe felt something grab his leg, like a giant pair of scissors.

He felt a crunch. The water around him turned bright red. Time seemed to slow, and everything went dim.

Joseph Dunn had just become a victim in one of the most famous series of shark attacks in history. By the time the terror was over, three men and one boy would be dead.

But Joe didn’t know what was happening to him. He had only one thought: that 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 Hollohan. 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 came to Cliffwood, New Jersey, as often as they could. Their aunt lived there. The tiny town wasn’t a fancy place. There were no hotels. There were no white-sand beaches. Matawan Creek was a muddy waterway. Its banks were lined with factories. But to Joe and Michael, Cliffwood was heaven. It was a happy escape from the hot summer in New York City.

And that summer had been blazing hot. Horses fainted in the stifling air. Dogs cried as they walked on sidewalks as hot as stoves.

Out in Cliffwood, Joe and Michael could forget all that. They could play baseball with Jerry and other kids. They could buy ice-cream cones for a nickel. Best of all, they could cool off in the creek.

But their happy mood was soon interrupted by shouts. A man appeared on the dock. He was all sweaty and out of breath. What he said next nearly stopped Joe’s heart: “There’s a shark in the creek!”

A shark? In the creek?

Frantically, Joe swam toward the dock. Michael and Jerry were already out of the water. Michael was helping Joe climb out when Joe felt something grab his leg. It was like a giant pair of scissors.

He felt a crunch. The water around him turned bright red. Time seemed to slow. Everything went dark.

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

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

Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Crowds enjoy the beach in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in 1902—just south of where the shark attacks of 1916 happened.

"Look Out!"

"Look Out!"

The terror had begun 11 days before, in a beach town about 75 miles south of Cliffwood. Charles Vansant, 25, was swimming when shouts echoed from the beach.

“Look out!”

A few people at the shore could see what Vansant could not: a fin knifing through the water. Vansant must have glimpsed the shark only seconds before its jaws slammed shut around his left thigh. The creature was massive, 8 or 9 feet long.

Six men rushed into the water. Using all their strength, they pulled Vansant—and the shark attached to his leg—into shallower water. The shark’s belly was dragging against the sandy bottom when the creature finally unlocked its jaws and swam away. A doctor tried to stop the bleeding, but Vansant died an hour later.

Witnesses had no doubt what had happened. Many saw the shark with their own eyes.

Yet as the story spread, few believed it. Yes, Charles Vansant had been attacked by a sea creature. But a shark? That seemed impossible. Most believed it was a swordfish, whose blade-like nose could slice through human flesh.

Only a few newspapers reported the incident. Some stories didn’t even include the word shark. “Dies After Attack by Fish” was the headline of a short article in The New York Times.

Why did people have such doubts?

The terror had begun 11 days before, in a beach town south of Cliffwood. Charles Vansant, 25, was swimming. Then shouts came from the beach.

“Look out!”

A few people at the shore could see what Vansant could not. There was a fin knifing through the water. Vansant must have seen the shark only seconds before its jaws slammed shut around his left leg. The creature was huge, 8 or 9 feet long.

Six men rushed into the water. They pulled Vansant onto the beach. A doctor tried to stop the bleeding. But Vansant died an hour later.

Witnesses had no doubt what had happened. Many saw the shark with their own eyes.

Yet as the story spread, few believed it. Yes, Charles Vansant had been attacked by a sea creature. But a shark? That seemed impossible. Most believed it was a swordfish. Its bladelike nose could slice through human flesh.

Only a few newspapers reported what happened. Some stories didn’t even include the word shark. “Dies After Attack by Fish” was the headline of a short article in The New York Times.

Why did people have such doubts?

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Few Americans in 1916 knew how to swim, but wading into the ocean, called “ocean bathing,” was a popular pastime. 

Mysterious Oceans

Mysterious Oceans

For most Americans in 1916, the ocean was as mysterious as a distant galaxy. The study of ocean life, known as marine biology, was a new science. Almost nothing was known about large sharks or any sea creatures that weren’t routinely captured by fishermen or easily observed close to shore.

But there was one “fact” about sharks that most people believed: No shark would bite a live human being. Even scientists mistakenly believed that sharks were shy creatures with weak jaws and small appetites.

In 1916, the idea that a shark had killed Charles Vansant was as far-fetched as the idea of a deer attacking someone strolling through the woods.

News of Vansant’s death didn’t spread far, and those who heard rumors figured it was a freak accident.

Until five days later, when it happened again.

For most Americans in 1916, the ocean was a mystery. 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 live human being. Even scientists mistakenly believed that sharks were shy creatures. They thought sharks had weak jaws and small appetites.

In 1916, the idea that a shark had killed Charles Vansant was as crazy as the idea of a deer attacking someone in the woods.

News of Vansant’s death didn’t spread far. Those who heard rumors thought it was a freak accident.

Then five days later, it happened again.

Transformed Overnight

Transformed Overnight

On July 6, Charles Bruder, 27, was swimming off a beach town about 30 miles south of Cliffwood. Suddenly, without warning, he was savagely attacked by a large shark.

This time, there were few doubts about what had happened. Within the hour, every beach up and down the shore was closed. And by the next morning, headlines blared from the front pages of newspapers around the world.

“Monster Shark Kills Again!”

Overnight, people’s image of sharks was transformed. The “tame” creatures were suddenly seen as bloodthirsty monsters.

As scientists would eventually realize, though, this image of sharks was also incorrect. Some large sharks can and do eat just about anything. But sharks do not deliberately seek out humans as prey. In fact, a person is more likely to be killed by a lightning strike than by a shark. Many bites happen when a shark mistakes a swimmer or surfer for a seal or sea lion.

Perhaps the shark that killed Vansant and Bruder was injured or weakened and unable to hunt its usual prey. We can 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 off another beach town south of Cliffwood. Suddenly, he was savagely 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. And by the next morning, headlines blared from the front pages of newspapers around the world.

“Monster Shark Kills Again!”

Overnight, people’s image of sharks was transformed. The “tame” creatures were suddenly seen as bloodthirsty monsters. But later, scientists realized that this image of sharks was also wrong. Some large sharks can and do eat just about anything. But sharks do not deliberately attack humans to eat them. In fact, a person is more likely to be killed by a lightning strike than by a shark. Many bites happen when a shark mistakes a swimmer or surfer for a seal or sea lion.

Maybe the shark that killed Vansant and Bruder was injured. Maybe it was unable to hunt what it usually ate. We can never know what caused this shark to attack humans. But the “man-eater of New Jersey” would soon kill again.

BFA/Alamy Stock Photo

Jaws was a best-selling book and a popular movie in the 1970s about a killer shark. But author Peter Benchley regretted that his work made people fear sharks. He spent much of his life trying to protect the animals.

A Chilling Sight

A Chilling Sight

By July 12, when Joseph, Michael, and Jerry jumped into Matawan Creek, the panic had died down. The boys must have heard about the attacks. But why would they worry? Matawan Creek was 15 miles inland. It seemed as safe as a bathtub.

In fact, the creek is connected to the Atlantic Ocean. Fishermen routinely traveled into the creek from the Atlantic. If a boat could make that journey, why not a shark?

One of the few people who understood this was a retired sea captain named Thomas Cottrell. He had been walking along the creek that day, about a mile and a half from Cliffwood, when his eyes locked on a chilling sight: a large fin slicing through the mud-brown waters. Cottrell stared, dumbstruck. At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. But as the creature came closer, he had no doubt about what it was.

The captain raced to the town’s main street and into a crowded barbershop.

“There’s a shark in the creek!” he boomed.

Cottrell expected everyone to jump up and follow him to the creek. But nobody budged. Some of the men smirked. Then he understood: These people thought he was just a confused old man.

Cottrell had spent years fishing the world’s oceans. He had come face-to-face with some of the fiercest beasts in the sea. He was certain there was a shark in the creek, in the same waters where local kids loved to swim.

He rushed to the dock and fired up his motorboat, steering it up the creek and shouting out warnings.

By July 12, when Joseph, Michael, and Jerry jumped into Matawan Creek, the panic had died down. The boys must have heard about the attacks. But why would they worry? Matawan Creek was 15 miles away from the sea. It seemed as safe as a bathtub.

In fact, 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 was a retired sea captain. Cottrell had been walking along the creek that day. Then his eyes saw something chilling: a large fin slicing through the brown waters. Cottrell stared, dumbstruck. At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. But then the creature came close. He had no doubt about what it was.

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

Cottrell thought everyone would jump up and follow him to the creek. But nobody moved. Some of the men smirked. Then he understood. These people thought he was just a confused old man.

Cottrell had spent years fishing the world’s oceans. He had come face-to-face with some of the fiercest beasts in the sea. He was sure there was a shark in the creek, where kids loved to swim.

He rushed to the dock and fired up his boat. He steered it up the creek and shouted out warnings.

Shattered Afternoon

Shattered Afternoon

When Joe, Michael, and Jerry started their swim, they had no idea what was happening up the creek. Nor did they know that a few minutes earlier, a shark had attacked and killed its third and fourth victims: Lester Stillwell, 11, and Stanley Fisher, 24. It wasn’t until the shouts of warning shattered their joyful afternoon that the three boys knew they were in danger.

By then, of course, it was too late.

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

It seemed hopeless.

Then a sputtering motorboat appeared. It was Captain Cottrell and two other men. Those men jumped into the water and were soon part of a terrible tug-of-war with the shark. Joe was sure he’d be ripped in two.

But suddenly, the shark opened its jaws.

Joe was free.

In the boat, Michael gripped his brother’s hand as Captain Cottrell drove up the creek. Back on land, Joe was rushed to the hospital.

Nobody believed he would survive.

Joe, Michael, and Jerry started their swim. They had no idea what was happening up the creek. They didn’t know that a few minutes earlier, a shark had killed its third and fourth victims. It wasn’t until they heard shouts of warning that the three boys knew they were in danger.

By then, of course, it was too late.

The shark pulled Joe under the water. Michael and Jerry dove in. They tried to wrestle Joe free. But the shark was too strong.

It seemed hopeless.

Then a boat appeared. It was Captain Cottrell and two other men. Those men jumped into the water. They were soon part of a terrible tug-of-war with the shark. Joe was sure he’d be ripped in two.

But suddenly, the shark opened its jaws.

Joe was free.

In the boat, Michael gripped his brother’s hand. Back on land, Joe was rushed to the hospital.

Nobody believed he would survive.

Spaarnestad Photo/Mary Evans Picture Library 

In the early 1900s, ocean exploration was just getting started. Here, a man gets ready for a dive in an early metal diving suit.

War With Sharks

War With Sharks

The Matawan attacks sent waves of shock around the world. By the next day, America had gone to war—against sharks.

Fishermen charged out to sea, ready to kill any shark on sight. Women 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 spotted.

Then on July 14, a man named Michael Schleisser caught a great white shark in Raritan Bay, near Matawan Creek. Inside the shark’s stomach were 15 pounds of what seemed like human flesh and bones.

The world rejoiced.

The man-eater had, it seemed, been defeated.

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 any shark they found. Women 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. His name was Michael Schleisser. Inside the shark’s belly were 15 pounds of what seemed like human flesh and bones.

The world cheered.

It seemed like the man-eater had been defeated.

Many Questions

Many Questions

There were no more shark attacks that summer. But many questions remain about what happened during those 12 days of terror. Was Schleisser’s shark really the killer? Was it one shark or several that committed the attacks? And if it was one shark, what caused it to stalk humans so ferociously?

One thing is certain though. For the Dunn family, that summer of 1916 ended on a joyful note: On September 15, Joe was released from the hospital. As the months went by, he fully recovered.

Joe lived into old age. He rarely talked about his experiences in the summer of 1916. But those who knew him said he always considered himself a lucky man.

After all, he alone had escaped from the jaws of the New Jersey man-eater.

There were no more shark attacks that summer. But many questions remain. Was Schleisser’s shark really the killer? Was it one shark or several that committed the attacks? And if it was one shark, what caused it to stalk humans so ferociously?

One thing is certain though. For the Dunn family, that summer of 1916 ended on a joyful note. On September 15, Joe was released from the hospital. He fully recovered.

Joe 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 alone had escaped from the jaws of the New Jersey man-eater.

Write to Win

Write a letter to Lauren Tarshis, telling her your three favorite descriptive lines in the article and how they help you picture what’s happening. Send it to “Sharks Contest” by June 1, 2022. Five winners will each receive a copy of her graphic novel I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.

Write to Win

Write a letter to Lauren Tarshis, telling her your three favorite descriptive lines in the article and how they help you picture what’s happening. Send it to “Sharks Contest” by June 1, 2022. Five winners will each receive a copy of her graphic novel I Survived the Shark Attacks of 1916. Visit the Storyworks Contests page for more information.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue.

This article was originally published in the May/June 2022 issue.

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Activities (13)
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Answer Key (1)
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Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Table of Contents

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

SEL Focus, Close Reading, Critical Thinking

3. Skill Building and Writing

4. Digital Spotlight

5. Differentiate and Customize

Striving Readers, Advanced Readers, Multilingual Learners

6. Can’t-Miss Teaching Extras

1. Preparing to Read

Watch a Video, Preview Vocabulary, Set a Purpose for Reading

  • Ask students: Are you afraid of sharks? Why or why not? Have a class discussion, recording on the whiteboard reasons students give for sharks being scary or not.  
  • Explain to students that the story is about a shark that killed people along the New Jersey Coast. Show students a map of New Jersey that includes Cliffwood, Matawan Creek, and Raritan Bay so that they can visualize where the shark was. Make sure to point out how far inland the shark swam.   

  • Show or assign the Vocabulary Slideshow to introduce challenging words. Then assign the Vocabulary Skill Builder before or after reading. Highlighted words: stifling, frantically, appetites, savagely, deliberately, dumbstruck, smirked, stalk

  • Call on a student to read aloud the Up Close box on page 5 to set a purpose for reading.

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Read the article together as a class or in small groups. Alternatively, you can listen to the Immersive Read-Aloud together. 
  • Put students into small groups or pairs. Ask them to discuss or write their answers to the close-reading and critical-thinking questions. Discuss the SEL Focus together as a class after reading.

SEL Focus

Courage

Talk with students about how Michael, Jerry, and Thomas Cottrell and his two men showed courage when rescuing Joe from the shark. Explain how courage is necessary not only in life-or-death situations but also when facing everyday challenges (e.g., trying new things even if you are afraid, standing up to a bully etc.). Discuss: When you’re in a difficult situation, what helps you to have courage? Encourage students to share times when they or someone they know demonstrated courage during a challenging moment.  

Close-Reading Questions

  • In the first section of the article, who do readers meet? What happens to one of them? (key details) Readers meet 12-year-old Joseph Dunn, his 14-year-old brother, Michael, and their friend Jerry Hollohan. A shark attacks Joe while they are swimming in Matawan Creek in Cliffwood, New Jersey.  
  • Reread the first six paragraphs of the article. What are some examples of descriptive details that author Lauren Tarshis uses? Why do you think she includes them? (descriptive details) Tarshis first uses descriptive details to help readers understand that even though it wasn’t fancy, Cliffwood was a welcome escape from the city. For example, she explains that Cliffwood had “no hotels, no white-sand beaches with rolling waves,” but it was still “paradise, a happy escape from the misery of summer in New York City.” Tarshis also uses descriptive details to show the intensity of the city heat: “Horses fainted in the stifling air. Dogs yelped as they walked along stove-hot sidewalks.” 
  • Reread page 5 of the article. What descriptive details and figurative language does Tarshis use to describe the shark attack? Why do you think she includes them? (descriptive details/figurative language) Tarshis uses a simile to describe the shark attack from Joe’s perspective: “. . . Joe felt something grab his leg, like a giant pair of scissors.” Tarshis also uses descriptive details to describe the experience, saying, “He felt a crunch. The water around him turned bright red. Time seemed to slow, and everything went dim.” Tarshis uses these details to show readers how terrifying and painful a shark attack is and to keep them in suspense; readers are eager to learn what happens to Joe!   
  • Reread the section “Mysterious Oceans.” Why did people doubt that Charles Vansant was killed by a shark? (text evidence) In 1916, the ocean was a mystery, and people knew little about sharks. They thought that sharks would not bite humans, and even scientists incorrectly believed that sharks were shy animals with “weak jaws and small appetites.”
  • According to the section “Transformed Overnight,” why is the image of sharks as “bloodthirsty monsters” incorrect? (key details ) Sharks do not look for humans on purpose. The chances of being killed by a shark are extremely rare. The article explains, “Many bites happen when a shark mistakes a swimmer or surfer for a seal or sea lion.” 
  • Reread the sidebar “Sharks in Danger and How to Help.” What are some threats to sharks, and how can you help these animals? (text features) Some sharks are killed for their fins, an ingredient in shark fin soup. Others die in fishing nets and from ocean pollution such as plastic. You can help sharks by learning about them, joining a beach cleanup day, and reducing the amount of trash you create, especially plastic bags and bottles. 
  • Based on the sections “A Chilling Sight” and “Shattered Afternoon,” what does Thomas Cottrell decide to do? What happens in the end as a result? (problem and solution) Retired sea captain Thomas Cottrell decides to travel up the creek in his motorboat and shout warnings about the shark. He sees the shark attack Joe, and he and his men are able to rescue Joe from the shark.

 

 

Critical-Thinking Questions

  • Consider everything you learned in the article and sidebar about sharks. How has our view of sharks, or what we know about sharks, changed over time? (synthesizing) In the early 1900s, people thought that sharks were harmless and would never kill humans. After the Matawan shark attacks, people believed that sharks were bloodthirsty monsters and tried to kill them. This image of sharks was also incorrect. Nowadays, we know that sharks do not purposefully seek out humans to eat. We also know that sharks are an important part of the ecosystem, keeping the oceans in balance.   
  • How do you feel about sharks? If you were swimming in the ocean, would you be afraid? Why or why not? How has reading this article made you think differently about sharks? (text-to-self) Answers will vary.

 

3. Skill Building and Writing

Featured Skill: Descriptive Details

  • Distribute the Descriptive Details Skill Builder or assign the Slide Deck. 
  • As a class, read the writing prompt in the “Write to Win” box on page 9. Have students use their completed Descriptive Details Skill Builder to help them respond to the prompt. Then you can send their essays to our writing contest (see page 2 of the magazine for details)!

4. Digital Spotlight

  • After reading the article, show students our Beyond the Story video, which delves into the threats sharks face and why it’s important to work to save these apex predators that help keep ocean life in balance. Students can complete the Video Activity after viewing the video.

Differentiate and Customize
For Striving Readers

The nonlinear structure of this article can make it challenging. To help students follow what happens, have them make a timeline of events. They should include the shark attacks on Charles Vansant, Charles Bruder, and Joseph Dunn. Students should also include the date that Michael Schleisser caught the shark believed to be responsible for the attacks. 

For Advanced Readers

Have students work in groups or pairs to write a newspaper article about the shark attack on Joseph Dunn. The article should include a headline and subhead. Students should be sure to include answers to the 5 W's: who, what, when, why, and where.

For Multilingual Learners

This story is very rich in description, which makes it a great opportunity to introduce adjectives to multilingual learners. Explain to students that adjectives are words that describe nouns and pronouns, and provide examples from the beginning of the article: white-sand beaches and stifling air. Ask students to reread the rest of the article in pairs, highlighting adjectives in one color and nouns in a different color. As an extra challenge, ask students to use some of the adjectives they found to describe the picture of the shark on pages 4 and 5!

Can't-Miss Teaching Extras
Find Out More

The website from DKFindOut is packed with information about sharks, including things that have been found inside the stomachs of tiger sharks. Car tires, anyone?

Watch and Learn

This video from Scholastic’s SuperScience magazine explains more about shark behavior.

Be Safe

Though shark attacks are rare, this page from the Florida Museum has tips on how to stay safe in the water.

Get Inspired

This page from the Shark Research Institute features kids who are making a difference to help sharks.

Text-to-Speech