Saved A Friend By Stabbing A Shark: In The News On September 8th, 1884



Here’s a unique story from the 1880s…

From the first page of the New-York Tribune
Monday, September 8, 1884.



As a side note, the term “bathing” as it is used in this article likely means “swimming” so the fifty young men were probably out getting exercise, not bobbing around with sponges and soap!

I did some research on the setting of this little drama, and found Jasper Francis Cropsey’s depiction of the view of the Narrows from Staten Island. This painting was completed in 1868, about sixteen years before John Taylor’s adventure.

 This idyllic scene doesn't match the story very well, but try to picture the tiny figures of a man and a shark locked in mortal combat somewhere in the water. 

 Until next time!