Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-15
.MAN-EATER RENDS
NET AND ESCAPES
PATROL ON CREEK
Four Big Sharks Believed
Yet Penned in Matawan
Waters
u. S. WILL AID IN HUNT

NEW YORK, July 1o.--Bucking the line
like a football hafback, giant shark
plunged through the chicken wire net that
penned 1t in Matawan Creek and escaped
to the ocean last night. The fish, believed
TO be the same one that killed a man and
boy in savage raid in the creek We'd
nesday, eluded thousands of persons who
made up shark posse and who lined the
banks ready to club or hack It to death.
The chicken wire net stretched across
the narrow Matawan Creek at Keyport,
where the creek emptes into Raritan Bay.
Fishermen thought 1t stout enough to repel
the most powerful lunges of the man-eater.
They were wrong Just before the moon
was ecllpsed the shark made his dash for
liberty.
No armor-piercng shell ever shot through
an obstacle with seemingly greater velocity
than the shark drove his snout through the
net. Watchers saw the fish as It sped away
in the direction of Atlantic Highlands
Reports from Perth Amboy were to the
effect that a second shark passed there
earlier in the evening. 1t is believed that
the escaped shark Joined his mate and that
the pair are now cruising near some part
of the Jersey shore, ready to strike.
Scott Hopkins, Keyport fisherman saw
the shark escape. Watchers say there are
still at least four sharks bottled up in the
creek. All night they were sought for
with dynamite shotguns and spears by de-
termined hunters, who want to avenge w.
Stanley Fisher and Lester StillweI, the
most recent victims.
Shark experts say that 1t Is probable that
the shark will seek to return to Matawan
Creek in search of more prey.
The shark menace was formally dis
cussed yesterday at a Cabinet meeting In
washington. A revenue cutter probably
will be detailed to cooperate with the coast
guard and active warfare against sharks
instituted. Meantime bathers are warned
TO keep in shallow water.
FISHERIES BUREAU HELPLESS.
While no definite plans have yet been
worked out 1t is likely that the revenue
,cutter may serve as the parent boat for
fleet of fast motorboats to patrol the
coast. Because of the wide area i'm which
the sharks have appeared 1t is likely that
other revenue cutters may be detached
TO assist in the work, provided they can,
be spared from their regular duties
At Atlantic Highlands, N. J., a 250-
pound shark was found enmeshed in fisher
mems nets and was killed. An examina-
tion showed the fish was not a man.eater,
but ~ baby sharks were found in its
stomach.
John Carlson, of Seabright, N. j., fought
10-foot shark close to adjacent fish
pounds. Carlson says the monster at
tackled his boat and for time threatened
to capsize the party.
Captain Steve Whytock veteran fish.
thrilling experience. Embarked in
flimsy launch Captain Steve put out for
his nets late yesterday afternoon, While
running at high speed the little boat ran
squarely into a baskng shark. Shutting
off his engine, Captain Steve gave battle
20 his quarry, which rushed the frail boat
once, then disappeared.
SKIPPER GOES OVERHEARD.
In his hurry to start the engine again
and give chase, the mariner let his whiskers
get caught in the mechanism and he was
thrown overheard Bill Warnicke, an old
boatman, rushed to Captain Steve's
sistance and fired several shots at the dis
appearing shark
John Xavier Reilly. Perth Amboy salt,
stabbed the shark several times with a
boat hook
The Paterson Chamber of Commerce yes
terday authorized bounty sharks,
ranging from So for 2oo-pound fish to
$50 for 500pounder.
Robert L. Bowling, 19.yearold son of
Robert p. Bowling, president of the
City Investing Company, will attempt on
July 20 to swim from the Battery to Sandy
Hook and return.
The swimmer will be enmeshed in a huge
wire basket to prevent possible attack
by sharks.
STANFORD, Conn., July 15.-Sharks ap-
peared in Long Island Sound today, off Col
lenders Point, just east of Stamford An
drew Carnegie, ]. d. Crimmins, William
Zigler and the Renshaws have summer
places on Collenders Point.
NEW YORK. July 15.-A large school
OF sharks, several of which came close to
the vessel, was sighted a fortnight ago by
the British full-rigged ship Cumberland,
which has arrived from Antofagasta,
Chilli, after lS4 days voyage. One fish,
about eight feet long, was caught and
killed. Captain Barfeld said he saw one
large shark about three days ago, and that
never before in his long career on the
sea had he seen sharks so far north.