Home / Shark Attacks / 1938 Shark Attacks in 1938 In 1938, the Global Shark Attack File logged 24 shark attacks worldwide — 12.0% below the historical annual average. 7 were fatal (29.2%). Australia accounted for the most incidents that year, with 9.
Fatality rate
29.2%
Global avg 21.2%
vs. annual avg
12% below
Hist. avg 27.3/yr
Countries with the most incidents in 1938 Species most often involved in 1938 Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.
Notable incidents in 1938 North Beach, Belligen River, Australia Fatal
1938-12-27 · Swimming
Between Wynnum & St. Helena Island, Australia Non-fatal
1938-10-05 · Fishing · Tiger shark, 6'
Outer harbor, Hong Kong, China Fatal
1938-08-28 · Swimming alongside warship Tsingt-ao
Near Encino, Los Angeles County, United States Non-fatal
1938-08-17 · Fishing
Charleston, United States Non-fatal
1938-07-17 · Swimming
Dana Point, Orange County, United States Non-fatal
1938-07-16 · Fishing, removing gaff from shark's mouth
Turkey Non-fatal
1938-07-16 · Fishing
Off Bathurst Island, Australia Fatal
1938-07-11 · Hardhat diving from Japanese pearling lugger, Reiyo Maru
Nicaragua Fatal
1938-06-16 · The schooner Elizabeth, bound from Bluefields, Nicaragua to the river port of San Carlos foundered · Thought to involve bull sharks
Manly, Australia Non-fatal
1938-06-07 · Hardhat diving · 6' shark
Frequently Asked Questions How many shark attacks were there in 1938? ▾ The Global Shark Attack File records 24 shark attacks worldwide in 1938, with 7 fatalities.
What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1938? ▾ 29.2% of shark attacks recorded in 1938 were fatal.
Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1938? ▾ The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1938 were Australia (9), United States (4), South Africa (2).
Which shark species were most often involved in 1938 attacks? ▾ Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1938 were Bull Shark, Tiger Shark.
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