Incident Report
Swimmer Attacked at Magnetic Island Bathing Ground
Picnic Bay, Queensland·Australia
A Norwegian swimmer was attacked by a shark near Hayles' old wharf at Magnetic Island in December 1914. He sustained lacerations to his right thigh and knee but managed to reach shore and received hospital treatment.
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Incident Profile
Circumstances
Environmental
Individual
Location
Description
On the evening of December 4, 1914, A. Steinstecke, a recent arrival from Norway, was swimming at the usual bathing ground near Hayles' old wharf at Magnetic Island, located off the coast of Townsville, Queensland. At approximately 7 p.m., he was attacked by a shark in what became a desperate struggle in the water. Despite the danger, Steinstecke managed to free himself from the shark and, drawing on his strength as a swimmer, made for the shore. A motor launch named Townsville, which had just conveyed a party to the island, assisted in transporting the injured man back to town. Upon arrival, the Ambulance Brigade immediately conveyed him to the hospital for treatment. Steinstecke sustained lacerations to his right thigh and knee from the attack. Although these wounds required hospital admission, medical assessment determined they were not life-threatening. The incident was reported in the local press, including The Northern Miner, and documented in the Global Shark Accident File. This attack remains one of the recorded shark incidents in the waters surrounding Magnetic Island in the Coral Sea near Townsville.