History's grandest shark attack!
But we surfers we know all about various shark repellents because they have been marketed to us for years. There are, to name but a few, shark eyes, Modom’s shark leash, shark bite proof wetsuits and Sharkbanz.
The last one is my very favorite because a young man who had just received a Sharkbanz bracelet under the Christmas tree went for a surf and was immediately bitten whilst wearing his gift.
Oh, we surfers we’re suckers for any whiff of protection from the vicious man-eating apex predators swirling beneath our feet and in far greater numbers than ever suspected but did you know the United States government once became equally fixated with shark repellents too?
It’s true and all began on July 30, 1945, when torpedoes from a Japanese submarine destroyed the mighty U.S.S. Indianapolis. Over 200 sailors went down with the ship yet 900, or so, survived the initial trauma and were left adrift at sea for 4 days. Many perished from the elements but those who survived the cold were subject to an even worse fate.
One survivor — a 20-year-old Marine — recounted seeing shark fins swimming around them, hearing blood-curdling screams, watching bodies get sucked under, and seeing empty life vests pop back up to the surface.
It’s impossible to know how many died by shark attack but rough estimates range from a few dozen to 150 people. Many consider this the largest shark attack in history. And it took a toll on Navy morale.
Soon the US military started handing out a chemical shark repellent. For the next few decades this little pouch was standard issue for pilots, sailors, and even astronauts. But what none of those people knew at the time was the shark repellent didn’t actually work.
Oooooh the conspiracy, the wild stranger than fiction conspiracy and you must watch the informative yet fun video from America’s Public Broadcasting System to learn all about it.
The earth is truly flat?
Chemtrails are changing the climate?
Sharkbanz contain tiny little bits of mulched sailor from the U.S.S. Indianapolis?
I won’t spoil.
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This scenario sounds eerily similar to what happens when a pack of rabid Brazilians descends upon an unsuspecting surf spot. Chaos ensues! LOL
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https://www.youtube.com/wat…
The shark repelant packet was actually just some laird superfood creamer.
some really great tips here 😆👌 https://youtu.be/mp9KzsqU7-w
A large chunk of the sailors from Indianapolis died from delirium. Deliberate drownings, breaking off from the main group to swim to imagined islands / rescue ships. Some claimed to have discovered wells of fresh water below the surface and convinced their mates to swim down and drink from them,
Hmmm, 0.0000001% chance of being attacked ? That has to be bullshit, PBS.
In no way do I believe that fabricated, misleading number. That’s like saying shark attacks/population of the world = nonsense.
There’s only one number that’s true and that’s 100%.
If you stay out of the water 100% then you will not be attacked. QED
That’s the message PBDisservice.
do you think staying out of the water 110% would be better? plenty of athletes have been known to declare giving greater than a 100% effort so it is definitely possible.
Yes !
110% is the new 100 !
I agree 121%.
We must all try harder to stay out of the water.
Safety First !
Yeah right Phat as if something can be “definitely possible”
This piece raises more questions than it answers!
Farmer in Iowa counts as one of these ridiculous percentage stories?
Shark Repellent Bat Spray is the only thing that really works as we all know.