DANGEROUS SEA LIFE 



J. W. Lermond 



Maritime Safety Division 



U. S. Naval Oceanographic Office 



Since the beginning of time the sea has stimulated the imagina- 

 tion of man. A most interesting part of this speculation has always 

 centered around dangerous marine animals. Ancient writings abound 

 with tales concerning legendary creatures of the deep. Early mariners 

 feared destruction of their vessels in a sea of imaginary monsters. 

 Picture and legend illustrate some of these ancient beliefs. Super- 

 stitions connected with the sea, outlining its mysteries and vastness 

 continue to influence our thoughts to the present time. 



Legend and superstition concerning the sea were a part of the 

 religious life of each member of an ancient coastal tribe. The awe 

 inspiring power of the sea in its many moods held the ignorant in 

 reverent terror. Tribal taboos restrained the conduct of the indi- 

 vidual, thus protecting him from the more poisonous marine species 

 in ihe area. Veneration was but little short of worship and these 

 imagined beneficial elements later took the form of deities. Half- 

 human, half-fish gods and goddesses are depicted on many ancient 

 temples and were also used as figureheads on ships. Some were 

 beautiful, some were horrible, while a few, such as the Greek sea god 

 Poseidon, assumed human form. All seafarers came under the myth- 

 ical protection of Poseidon who ruled the waters in conflict with the 

 land deities. Poseidon's uncontrolled stormy temper tantrums, sym- 

 bolic of great strength, could reportedly produce earthquakes or 

 control the shape of continents. Poseidon, of course, held full sway 

 over all marine animals, and the dolphin was symbolic of his pro- 

 tection. 



Many persons and some nations depend upon the sea for food 

 and other necessities of life. Others must ply the sea lanes in pursuit 

 of a commercial existence. An increasing number fly above the 

 oceans to satisfy a variety of travel needs. Recent observation has 

 thus revealed a great many details concerning the sea and marine 

 animals. Concentrated efforts of many scientific investigations have 

 been devoted to study, to describe, and to tabulate present day 

 knowledge concerning the ocean and its inhabitants. The sea has, 

 notwithstanding all this effort, kept many secrets locked in the 

 gloomy depths beneath the surface. Present efforts in the field of 

 oceanography endeavor to reveal facts which have long been the 

 subject of theory or mere speculation. 



Losses of surface vessels and aircraft during the last war, with 

 accompanying casualties due to nature's perils, brought about a 

 greater interest in survival techniques. The reports of survivors, 

 rescuers, action reports, and original papers on survival were studied 

 in an effort to improve the situation of a downed aviator or ship- 

 wrecked mariner. After the war, the combined experiences and 

 researches on the subject were critically examined to improve the 

 various survival manuals. This work continues in an effort to per- 

 fect all details. 



Survivors in life rafts narrated in detail every sight of a shark, 

 yet few stories were found of survivors being attacked or killed by 

 sharks. Off the coast of New Guinea, one flier was attacked by 

 a shark when swimming outside the coral reef and lost a leg; however, 

 he lived through the ordeal. Another story concerned a Navy plane 

 which had ditched. The pilot and gunner were kicking hard to keep 

 clear of the wreckage; perhaps the splashing attracted the sharks. 

 The gunner had removed his trousers and shoes and still wore white 



shorts. Sharks nosed him several times and finally one bit his right 

 thigh. The bite was not clean; the man was pulled under but broke 

 free and bobbed to the surface, shouting for help and continuing to 

 splash in the water. The sharks continued to attack, biting and 

 pulling the gunner under the water until he was drowned. The pilot, 

 who survived to report this shark attack, said that the sharks kept pull- 

 ing at the bobbing body until it finally disappeared. The sharks then 

 followed the pilot, who splashed at them and finally hit one shark on 

 the snout. The shark turned quickly and struck the pilot in the face 

 with his tail. This broke the man's jaw and caused abrasions on his 

 face. The sharks then left and were not seen again. 



Survivors in life rafts reported seeing many sharks, few sharks, 

 or a single shark; yet a flier spent twelve days without seeing one. 

 Life raft survivors tied extra clothing on a line and used it as a sea 

 anchor; this sea anchor was attacked by sharks several times. 



Other life raft accounts mentioned seeing large fish. One pilot 

 saw a 40-foot whale surface near him and spout into the air; the 

 same pilot glimpsed an 8-foot marlin which swam around his raft 

 several times. A sea turtle nosed the raft of another pilot for 15 to 

 20 minutes; the pilot did not hit the animal for fear his sudden 

 movement or that of the turtle would upset his craft. 



Other survivors reported injuries from coral reefs in the form of 

 cuts and lacerations from walking or falling on the sharp edges. 

 Coral cuts are painful, difficult to treat, and usually slow to heal. 

 One survivor noted a method used by the natives in the treatment 

 of wounds sustained by coral. The acid juice of limes or other fruit 

 was used to apparently help dissolve the calcium carbonate of the 

 coral fragments left in the wound. While the lime juice itself was pain- 

 ful, such treatment seemed to promote healing. A flier reported that 

 sea spines could be removed much more easily after such treatment. 



A review of the facts concerning wartime survival experiences has 

 shown many interesting details concerning dangerous sea life. The 

 objectives of this article are to present brief essential details concerning 

 habits and characteristics together with distribution and environment 

 data for the more dangerous species of sea life. In order to be of practical 

 value to those concerned, much technical detail had been eliminated, but 

 may be found in the many good books on the subject. A simple division 

 of material, suggested by the type of injury inflicted on humans, has been 

 followed. Marine animals that bite and a few that sting are described 

 and illustrated. 



DESTRUCTIVE BITERS 



SHARKS 



Among the more dangerous marine animals, the shark, being 

 most numerous and voracious, has established a fearful reputation. 

 Through the years, however, much sensational journalism has been 

 lavished on sharks. Although found to be peaceful and retiring in 

 nature, investigation of the records and scientific evidence indicate 

 that only a score or less of the shark species, out of several hundred 

 known to exist, are likely to attack man. A knowledge of sharks 

 and their habits, if judiciously applied, may avoid an attack. Certain 

 rules of conduct should be carried out to avoid attracting or exciting 

 sharks. 



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