Shark Attack Map

“Summer of Blood-1916”—The real story behind Jaws.  Imagine yourself 100 years ago-a broiling hot July, trains delivering urbanites to the beach every 4 minutes from polio-infected cities, German u-boats in the waters signaling the imminent US entry into World War I, New Jersey’s own President Wilson locating his “summer White House” and the world’s press corps to Sea Girt.  Just as a desperate population hoped for the soothing respite of a seashore holiday, a Killer Shark strikes!  For the first and only time in recorded history, sharks attacked and killed swimmers in New Jersey waters.  During 12 days, 5 people from Beach Haven to Matawan were mauled and the whole world’s attention was riveted on the Jersey Shore.  This map details and commemorates these all-but-forgotten events that inspired a famous writer and a cinematic legend as we approach its centennial.