The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1896-12-17
PLENTY OF SHARKS.
Tho Southeast Coast of Florida Infested
This Year.

This Year.
That part of the Atlantic which beats
upon the southeast coast of Florida is
infested with shark. It is probably the
''sharkiest" water at this season in the
world. Folks who have dwelt for years
in the jungles of soft palmetto and on
the savannahs of saw grass that stretch
inland from the shell-strewn beach, in
commenting on the more than plenti,
tude Of sharks, say: II never seen the
like afore.'
The blue swells that roll landward
and pound themselves into fleecy,
frenzied surf TEEN with this cruel fish.
The white shark, the basking shark,
the hammer-headed shark and other
members of the elasmo branchiato
family are there.
From Jupiter inlet to Hillsboro' in
let they may be seen outside the break
ers, in the breakers and inside the
breakers. This season they are so nu-
merous and vicious that the strongest
swimmers and the stoutest-hearted sea
dogs along that part of the coast will
not venture into the sea further than
knee-deep water. Even where this pre-.
caution has been taken casualties have
been reported. It was only few days
ago that the son of Capt. Collins, of the
Jupiter life-saving station, lost a foot
by shark bite while standing in the surf.
He would probably have been killed had
not a companion plunged bowie knife
into the fish.
The mail from the north for Miami,
Cocoanut Grove and other settlements
at the south end of the peninsula used
to be carried from Palm Beach by
lone carrier, who followed the beach
and crossed the inlets in small boats.
This was before the opening of the
East Coast railroad. It was just about
one. year ago that this lone carrier left
Palm Beach on his last trip. A few days
later the lightkeeper at Hillsboro' inlet
found the carriers small boat bottom
upward on the beach. The man was
never after heard from. There had been
no foul weather, and the settlers re.
fusd to believe that the carrier had
either absconded or had been killed
by bandits. The gunwale of the small
boat showed that it had been gnawcd
by strong, sharp teeth. A broken oar
was later picked up on the sound. The
lightkeeper reported that thousands OF
sharks were in the inlet and that they
were uncommonly bold and excited.
The taste Of human blood maddens
these fish. The old settlers feel that
they know about how the mail carrier
met death.
This season vast schools of bluefish,
snappers and saltwater mullets have
appeared off the coast of Florida, and
these have attracted untold thousands
of shark from the warm water of the
gulf stream. which at that part of the
coast flows northward about four miles
from shore. One may stand on the
beach and throw shells at the monsters
as they pursue their prey. Rifle balls
seem to have little effect on a shark.
Fat pork, a big hook, strong line and
stout arm is the best way to kill one.
Several times this fall sharks have
been seen in the Biscayne canal, which
was recently cut through from Lake
Worth to Biscayne bay. But the shark
finds no comfort there. 1t is the home
of the good old alligator, and he resists
intrusion. Every self-respecting gator
will tackle shark ON sight.-Washing-
ton Star.