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Shark Attacks in 1942

In 1942, the Global Shark Attack File logged 41 shark attacks worldwide — 51.4% above the historical annual average. 16 were fatal (39.0%). Australia accounted for the most incidents that year, with 8.

Total recorded

41

Fatal

16

Fatality rate

39.0%

Global avg 21.1%

vs. annual avg

51% above

Hist. avg 27.1/yr

Countries with the most incidents in 1942

Country	Recorded incidents
Australia	8
South Africa	5
Solomon Islands	5
Italy	1
Brazil	1

Species most often involved in 1942

Species	Recorded incidents
Bull shark	2
Invalid	2
1.8 m to	1
White shark	1
Tiger shark	1

Counts based on the species field in the Global Shark Attack File. Species identification in incident reports is not always reliable.

Notable incidents in 1942

Bantry Bay, near Ironstone Point, Middle Harbor, Sydney, AustraliaFatal
1942-12-25· Dog paddling or standing· Bull shark
50 km off St. Lucia, South AfricaFatal
1942-11-27· U-177 torpedoed & sank the troopship Nova Scotia· 1.8 m to 2.4 m [6' to 8'] sharks, most were oceanic whitetip sharks
Umkomaas, South AfricaNon-fatal
1942-11-24· Swimming
Bound from Cape Town for St. HelenaFatal
1942-11-20· On 6-Nov-1942, the German submarine U-68 sank the City of Cairo 5 days from Cape Town, survivors took to lifeboats & rafts. On the 15th day, a fireman jumped over the stern & was taken by sharks
Battle of Guadalcanal, Solomon IslandsNon-fatal
1942-11-15· Thrown from destroyer when shell hit
North of Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands while enroute to VanuatuFatal
1942-11-12· Explosion & sinking of the USS Juneau after being torpedoed by the submarine I-85
Off Guadalcanal, Solomon IslandsNon-fatal
1942-11-12· Anti-Aircraft cruiser USS Atlanta (CL,-05) travelling in convoy after the Battle of Midway, encountered a Japanese flotilla (Battle of Guadalcanal) &, heavily damaged by gunfire, she was lost off Lunga Point. Victim was swimming when bitten.
Off Savo Island, Solomon IslandsFatal
1942-11-11
Incident 1942-10-31Non-fatal
1942-10-31· In rubber dinghy with Captain Eddie Rickenbacker for 21 days.
Clifton, South AfricaFatal
1942-10-31· Swimming· White shark, 4.5 m to 6 m [14'9" to 20'] according to witnesses

1941 All years →1943

Frequently Asked Questions

How many shark attacks were there in 1942?

The Global Shark Attack File records 41 shark attacks worldwide in 1942, with 16 fatalities.

What was the shark attack fatality rate in 1942?

39.0% of shark attacks recorded in 1942 were fatal.

Which countries had the most shark attacks in 1942?

The countries with the most recorded incidents in 1942 were Australia (8), South Africa (5), Solomon Islands (5).

Which shark species were most often involved in 1942 attacks?

Based on incident records, the most frequently identified species in 1942 were Bull shark, Invalid, 1.8 m to.