Capture of a large shark at Brighton, Victoria
Publisher
Illustrated Adelaide News
Date1877
Object number00006065
NameEngraving
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 199 x 279 mm
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection
Collections
DescriptionAn engraving from The Illustrated Adelaide News, 1 June 1877 titled 'Capture of a large shark at Brighton Victoria'.
It depicts the capturig of a shark that had been 'menancing' the waters at Melbourne for a number of weeks. An account of the incident was recorded in the local papers the next day:
CAPTURE OF AN IMMENSE SHARK.
For some time past the fishermen at Brighton have been annoyed by the rather too constant attendance of an immense shark, which has at times gone so close to the boats that not a little alarm has been felt lest an accident should happen from which there was no chance of escape. Efforts have been made to hook the brute, but without success up till yesterday morning, when he was caught in comparatively shallow Water, off the Brighton pier, by three fishermen named Angelo Barlotto and James and John O'Meara. Many willing hands were lent, and in a short space of time the monster was safely landed. It measured 15ft. in length, 7ft. 9in. in girth, and 7ft. 9in. from tip to tip ! fin
across head. This is said to be the largest shark ever taken in Hobson's Bay.
- Weekly Times, 21 April 1877
exhibited at the Polytechnic Hall in Bourke Street
had seized a 'fine retrevier;' a few days ago - disgoirged a semi digested le of a dogHistory
Sharks have lately become so numerous in Port Phillip and Hobson's Bays that the Government has issued a scale of fees to reward those who can capture any of these unpleasant' inhabitants of our waters. The awards given now +'rnm 1h iwr font, mi to five feet, and bevond that length the price increases. A very large shark was caught by some fishermen, off the Brighton Pier on the 20th April, and was with considerable difficulty raised from- the sea. The dimensions of the monster are : — In length, over fifteen feet ; in girth, seven feet eleven inches ; from fin to fin, seven feet ten inches. Its weight was estimated at about one ton.
The Illustrated Adelaide News, page 5. Friday, 1 June, 1877.SignificanceThe inducement by the authorities for the capture of sharks in Melbourne by offering a reward for them had the desired effect. It was recorded that in April 1877, no fewer that 55 sharks, varying in size from two feet to nine feet were brought to the sergeant of police at Williamstown, and certificates given to the captors. One man alone took 22 in one day.
