In a scene that could have been lifted straight from a Hollywood script, a group of fishermen off the Northumberland coast experienced a heart-stopping encounter with not one, but four large sharks in early 1976. The incident, reported in local papers at the time, bore an uncanny resemblance to the plot of the blockbuster film Jaws, which was set to dominate cinemas that very year.
A Tense Encounter at Boulmer Harbour
The drama unfolded in the shallow bay of the small fishing village of Boulmer. Four fishermen were in the process of stowing their lobster pots aboard their coble—a traditional fishing boat—when their routine was abruptly interrupted. A big shark appeared and began to nuzzle the vessel. The situation quickly escalated as three more sharks joined the first, all estimated to be over 10 feet in length, nudging and worrying the boat.
Initially, the crew paid little heed to the unusual demonstration. However, as the sharks persisted with their provocative tactics, the fishermen wisely decided that discretion was the better part of valour and made a swift retreat to the safety of land.
The Fishermen's Blunt Assessment
When later questioned about the nerve-wracking event, the men from Boulmer were reportedly succinct in their description of the creatures. Their collective verdict on the sharks? They were, in their own words, "great big bastards". This vivid, if unscientific, account underscored the sheer size and intimidating presence of the animals that had surrounded their small craft.
Understanding Britain's Shark Populations
This 1976 incident was part of a notable pattern. For some years prior, the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) had been migrating along the UK's north-eastern coasts. These gentle giants, the second-largest fish in the world, are filter-feeders and pose no threat to humans.
Historically, basking sharks were hunted, particularly off southern Ireland, for their oil-rich livers which were once in medicinal demand. The late author and conservationist Gavin Maxwell famously documented his early adventures in this trade. While species like the Porbeagle, Thresher, and Mako sharks offer sport for deep-sea anglers, it is crucial to note that none of the sharks native to British waters are man-eaters.
Nevertheless, the sheer scale and unexpected nature of such an encounter, with multiple large sharks investigating a boat, is enough to stir primal fear—a fear expertly tapped into by the cinematic thrills of Jaws. The Boulmer event served as a stark, real-world reminder of the powerful and often misunderstood creatures that inhabit the seas close to home.
