Twelve Days of Terror: Inside the Shocking 1916 New Jersey Shark Attacks

by Richard G. Fernicola M.D.

Overview

Upon the 100th anniversary of the most terrifying stretch of shark attacks in American history—a wave said to have been the inspiration for Jaws—comes a reissue of the classic account and investigation. In July 1916, a time when World War I loomed over America and New York City was in the midst of a deadly polio epidemic, the tri-state area sought relief at the Jersey shore. The Atlantic’s refreshing waters proved to be utterly inhospitable, however. In just twelve days, four swimmers were violently and fatally mauled in separate shark attacks, and a fifth swimmer escaped an attack within inches of his life. In this thoroughly researched account, Dr. Richard Fernicola, the leading expert on the attacks, presents a riveting portrait, investigation, and scientific analysis of the terrifying days against the colorful backdrop of America in 1916 in Twelve Days of Terror.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493023240
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	05/02/2016
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	358,375
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Richard G. Fernicola is recognized as the foremost authority on the New Jersey shark attacks of 1916. His research became the basis for the highly acclaimed television documentaries Legends of Killer Sharks and Shark Attack: 1916, which aired on the Discovery Channel and The History Channel. He is also actively involved in the preservation and rescue of marine mammals.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments viii

Preface x

Introduction xvii

Chapter 1 Beach Haven: July 1 1

Chapter 2 Spring Lake: July 6 12

Chapter 3 Matawan: July 12 31

Chapter 4 In the Wake of the Terror 62

Chapter 5 When the Sea Tiger Attacks 90

Chapter 6 Science Stalks the Phantom 127

Chapter 7 The New Generation of Shark Hunters 162

Chapter 8 The Wounds Tell a Tale 179

Chapter 9 Explaining the Inexplicable 206

Chapter 10 Just Beneath the Surface 233

Chapter 11 Closing the Case, for Now 250

Species of Sharks and Their Characteristics 273

Timeline of Terror 276

Bibliography 279

Index 284

Editorial Reviews

Natural history, animal behavior, American history, and pure detective work. The research and sourcing are monumental...makes a fine summer beach read.” — Chicago Tribune

"Twelve Days of Terror is better (than Close to the Shore) at conveying the historical context framing the (shark) attacks. Fernicola is (also) better with the attacks in Matawan Creek.—Baltimore Sun

Has the edge over "Close to Shore" by being better-sourced and packed with photographs, diagrams, newspaper clippings, and death certificates. — Boston Globe

“Blood in the water, terror on the shore. What could make for a better beach book?” –USA Today

“Immersed in the details of these attacks, but. .. also move[s] to the shore to reconstruct the culture of fear that swelled up in pre-war America.” –Christian Science Monitor

“Packed with photographs, diagrams, newspaper clippings, and death certificates.” —Boston Globe

“Truly chilling without being sensational.” –Library Journal

From the Publisher