July 12th is an infamous date in Jersey Shore history. In 1916, July 12th marks the final day of a series of shark attacks that killed four and injured one between the period of July 1 - 12, 1916.

Around 2PM, several young boys were swimming at an area called Wyckoff Dock at the end of Dock St. in the Matawan Creek. One 11 year-old boy, Lester Stilwell was pulled under by a shark. The other boys ran for help and local businessman, Stanley Fisher jumped into the creek to try to retrieve the body and he was pulled under and severely injured. Fisher would succumb to his injuries in a hospital in Long Branch, NJ.

These events would become the inspiration for an author from Princeton, Peter Benchley, to write a book. That book, turned movie, was JAWS.

There is still debate to this day what species of shark was involved in the attack. Great White and Bull Shark are considered the most likely species.

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