The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-22
FIGHTING A SHARK.
4 Man Attacked bya Marine Monster i
Princess Bay.

4 Man Attacked by n Marine Monster in
Princess Bay.
Battling with an immense shark, a mile
from land, in an open boat.
That was the exciting experience which
Franz Schmittberger had recently while out
in tiny row-boat in the waters of Princess
Bay, on the east coast Of Staten Island, near
Eltingville.
For the past week there have been stories
going around Staten Island to the effect that
a gigantic shark had been seen off its coast.
1t was reported TO be in various places. On
Saturday afternoon his sharkship was seen
by a party of ladies and gentlemen near
Constable Hook, at the mouth of the Kill
Won Kill. Its length was said to be at leas t
twenty-five feet.
For the past month Franz Schm ittberger,
living on Jersey City Heights, has been
passing the heated term with his wife and
son, lad u years of age, at the old Has
tings mansion, few miles from Eltingville.
Early yesterday morning Mr.. Schmitt-
berger and his son started from the Has
tiDgs mansion for days outing on Princess
Bay.
''Be careful that the shark don't catch
you," said Mrs. Schmittberger, as her hus-
band and son lett the mansion. Both made
a joking reminder and gayl y sailed away
They took little clinker-built. round
bottomed rnw-b boat, in which a square sail
had been fitted, and, as brisk breeze was
blowing over the waters of Princess Bay,
were soon a mile from land engaged in the
exciting sport OF bluehShng.
About noon tine breeze died out. and Mr..
Schmittberger decided to lower the sail and
with his son discuss the ample luncheon
which was in the boat.
The couple were just enjoying their noon
tide refreshments, as the boat floated aim
lessly around the bay, when they were as
tonished by fearful shock that tumbled
both into the bottom of the boat
The force was so great that the tiny boat
Law over on its side while the water poured
into it in a perfect torrent. Mr.. Schnlitt-
berger had sufficient presence of mind to
giip the higher side of the boat, and this
kept it from upsetting
Help me bail out" he shouted to his
frightened son, and the two then began
bailiug with couple of pals that had neld
a portion Of their luncheon, which could be
seen floating in fragments on the water
near it.
While father and son were engaged in
trying to bail out the boat it was again
struck with resOunding thud on the oppo-
site side from where the first blow came
and again it reeled over, while the water
poured in until the frail craft was nearly
half full.
ION, papa, the shark, the sharkv
These were the startling words that rang
llUiH lHt Ups vi MI. 5 son.
who had been affrightedly gazing into the
water after the dread shark.
Following the direction of his sons point
ing finger, Mr.. Schmittberger saw within a
few feet of the boat, and just covered with
the waters OF the bay, the outlines of a
gigantic shark.
He was coming directly for the boat.
Mr.. Schmittberger unshipped an oar and
then commenced a fearful battle with the
great fish.
For more than half an hour the battle
ragged, and until Mr.. Schmittberger was
the struggle from sheer fatigue when the
shark came up again hardly SIX feet away
from him, and made directly at the boat,
churning the waters Of the bay into foam in
its onward rush.
With the courage of despair Mr.. Schmitt-
berger stood up in the boat resolved 10 deal
one last blow in hopes that he would strike
the shark fairly on the nose.
He waited until the shark was almost
touching the boat, and then with all his
force struck the hsh. 1t was lucky shot.
The blow descended with fearful effect. and
in moment the waters of the BAY were
dyed deep red.
Then, with fearful swirl of the bloody
water, the shark ank beneath the waves.
while MIR. Schmittberger fell exhausted in
his boat.
In the fight Mr.. Schmittberger lost his
coat containing S125 in money, but he told a
journal man yesterday that he was mt
mourning the loss greatly as he was glad to
escape with his life.
- never heard BEFORE" he continued.
" that a shark would attack boat, but
think that the reason for this accident was
in the fact that my son and had been eat
ing our luncheon just before the attack was
made, and had thrown pieces OF it over
board. Possibly the shark was craZed with
hunger and had thought that our boat was
peculiar Kind Of marine restaurant that
would give it a meal If it knocked IL TO
pieces. But / tell you was frightened."-
N. Y. Journal.