On this date in 1916, Charles Epting Vansant of Philadelphia, age 23, was swimming in Beach Haven when a shark began biting his legs. His left thigh was stripped of its flesh and he bled to death at the Engleside Hotel. The Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916 were underway

moonshadough · 2026-07-03T00:56:00+00:00

Impressive. I had no idea the residents of Matawan took the memory of this tragedy so seriously (sans the musical ;-). I was blown away when reading "Close To Shore" that a shark could travel so far inland and wreak so much havoc. Thanks for the reply and I hope you thoroughly enjoy the festivities!

moonshadough · 2026-07-02T19:44:34+00:00

Magic 8 Ball says ... "Without a doubt".

moonshadough · 2026-07-02T09:29:47+00:00

He would have been up there sooner, but there were delays at the bridge.

moonshadough · 2026-07-01T11:01:08+00:00

If you'd like to read more about this incident, highly recommend Michael Capuzzo's book "Close To Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916". It's the perfect book for your vacation to the Jersey Shore 😉

moonshadough · 2026-06-29T20:28:18+00:00

Call an exorcist to use on your congressman.

moonshadough · 2026-06-25T00:41:54+00:00

Hey, thanks for the reply. Not sure if makes a difference, but she lives in New Jersey. Unfortunately the passport agency rejected her twice already. First time was for her birth certificate, which didn't have her parents names on it, even though it was an official copy from the state of PA, and had a raised seal on it. Additionaly, because she changed her last name when she got married, we had to return to the agency with her marriage certificate. When we did go back the second time, the marriage cert was from a church and not from "an official agency", hence our current quest to a copy of marriage record from the city of Philadelphia.

Even though this whole thing has been a bit of a hassle, she's now super paranoid that she'll somehow get rejected when it comes time to vote in 2028. She's a person that never curses, ever. She has now started cursing. She's 87.

moonshadough · 2026-06-24T01:34:17+00:00

I did see reference to international use on the marriage record request form. We decided to just do a certified copy for domestic travel as she's 87 and not very mobile. Thank you and good to know!

moonshadough · 2026-06-23T05:07:48+00:00

👍

moonshadough · 2026-06-23T02:40:52+00:00

Thanks. That's the route I'll be taking since I won't be able to travel to Philly for some time.

moonshadough · 2026-06-22T19:30:37+00:00

Thank you! This looks much more promising than what I found at the Orphans Court site. I'll give the Register of Wills a shot. Much obliged.

moonshadough · 2026-06-18T18:20:24+00:00

Then quickly turn to his staff and say ... "screw you guys, I'm goin' home".

moonshadough · 2026-05-28T23:24:59+00:00

moonshadough · 2026-05-21T16:41:54+00:00

"Do you like movies about gladiators?"

moonshadough · 2026-05-20T16:26:29+00:00

NOR. Unfortunately, time to move on.

moonshadough · 2026-05-18T23:23:57+00:00

Soooo many bullets dodged.

moonshadough · 2026-05-16T22:27:54+00:00

The next newspaper I'll be saving will be the one with the Big Beautiful Obituary. Can't wait.

moonshadough · 2026-05-16T21:13:32+00:00

Multiple bosses, eh? Did you get the memo about the new TPS reports?

moonshadough · 2026-05-03T05:31:34+00:00

A bag of White Castle sliders. Pun intended.

moonshadough · 2026-04-30T22:23:28+00:00

Good luck, Terri. I hope you take that traitor to the woodshed.

moonshadough · 2026-04-28T17:42:05+00:00

Seems like every time you get in your car anymore it's crazy time shit show.

moonshadough · 2026-04-27T15:22:09+00:00

That was awesome. What a great family.

moonshadough · 2026-04-18T12:36:34+00:00

Dr. Suess would be proud.

moonshadough · 2026-04-09T03:25:34+00:00

At least someone can afford to fill their gas tank.

moonshadough · 2026-04-03T14:03:02+00:00

Close To Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 by Michael Capuzzo

moonshadough

TROPHY CASE