Young Swimmer Severely Bitten in Brisbane River

The attack occurred approximately 25 miles from the sea in the Brisbane River — a rare inland/riverine setting — and involved multiple bites to the chest, thigh, and loins with tissue loss; the incident is also exceptionally well-documented for its era across multiple contemporary newspaper sources, including a public notice of gratitude published by the victim's father.

On the afternoon of December 1, 1901, William Quince, a 19-year-old male, was swimming with several companions in the Brisbane River near South Brisbane Cemetery, approximately 25 miles inland from the sea. Despite earlier warnings from local police that sharks had been sighted in the area that morning, the group of young bathers decided to enter the water. While swimming, Quince decided to return to the opposite bank and began swimming on his back. His companions, who were heading toward the cemetery side, heard him cry out in distress. Looking back, they witnessed him striking at the water with his hands and feet, apparently attempting to ward off an attack. Quince then disappeared beneath the surface before re-emerging and calling for help, shouting that a shark had bitten him. The shark attacked Quince multiple times during the incident. His companions, initially uncertain whether he was joking, swam to his aid while a nearby boat moved to assist. Despite multiple attacks, Quince managed to swim away from the area with considerable effort. Willing hands from the boat helped extract him from the water, and although he initially walked partway along the bank, he was soon overcome by exhaustion. Quince sustained severe injuries, including lacerations to his chest, thigh, buttocks, and loins, with a significant piece bitten from one side of his torso. He was transported by ambulance to the Brisbane General Hospital, where he remained for more than a month in precarious condition. His recovery, initially doubtful, progressed favorably over the following weeks. By late March 1902, he had improved sufficiently to sit outside the hospital under the shade of trees for short periods. The incident sparked public discussion about the ongoing dangers of shark attacks in the Brisbane River and the apparent disregard for safety warnings among regular bathers. The shark species involved was not identified. The case received significant newspaper coverage across Australia and prompted acknowledgment from Quince's father of the medical staff's skilled care in saving his son's life.