"Jaws" New Jersey connection

Unless one is knowledgeable on New Jersey history, few would know that there is a connection between the classic novel and film, "JAWS" and the Garden State.

In 1916, there were two vicious (fatal) attacks in the waters of Matawan Creek, in the Jersey Shore area, near a now-demolished railroad trestle, which then carried heavy rail traffic between the New York area and the Jersey shore beaches..

There were also incidents (again fatal) which forced the closing of New Jersey's beaches at the height of the summer season.

I've read that these incidents and attacks were part of the inspiration for "JAWS", many decades later.

The past several years, with shark attacks up sharply, "JAWS", indeed, does come to mind.............

 

Further reading......

Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 - Wikipedia

 

Also of interest......

Shark - Wikipedia

List of sharks - Wikipedia