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Just heard a rumour that a shark has been seen at Barbati. Any truth in that?
It wouldn't be the first time a shark has been seen off Corfu.
See this newspaper report
Solomos wrote a poem about a young British soldier (19 year-old Private William Mills) eaten by a shark in Corfu harbour, when swimming at dusk on 19 July 1847.
Dionysios Solomos ‘The Shark’ read by David Ricks:
https://www.bsa.ac.uk/videos/dionysios-solomos-the-shark-read-by-david-ricks/
Mon Repos is associated with another tragic, fatal shark attack on 17 August 1951 on a sixteen year old Corfiot girl called Vanda Pierri (29/12/1935-17/8/1951). The attack was witnessed by Naki Tsepeti, from Mon Repos Jetty.
A short history of shark attacks in Greece
NB SHARK ATTACKS ARE VERY RARE EVENTS IN THESE WATERS: ONCE EVERY CENTURY? The sharks probably follow the cruise ships.
General:
Humans and global warming to blame for sharp rise in shark attacks, study finds, The Independent
The shark attack on Vanda, Corfu History
NB I was NOT there at the time (as stated in the Corfu History posting). I heard the tragic story many years later, from a Corfiot who did witness the event.
The ultimate shark photo? MSN/National Geographic
Mon Repos is associated with another tragic, fatal shark attack on 17 August 1951 on a sixteen year old Corfiot girl called Vanda Pierri (29/12/1935-17/8/1951). The attack was witnessed by Naki Tsepeti, from Mon Repos Jetty.
"Of fish not used as food, the sharks are, perhaps, the most
remarkable. They are not very numerous ; but, from time to time, very large and
fierce individuals make their way to these waters, following, probably, the
large ships. On one occasion, a sailor swimming out a short distance from his
ship was bitten in half before he could be saved by his companions, who saw the
fish coming, and had thrown a rope over, too late for the poor victim to be
lifted in time. occasion, a sailor swimming out a short distance from his ship
was bitten in half before he could be saved by his companions, who saw the fish
coming, and had thrown a rope over, too late for the poor victim to be lifted
in time. On another occasion, a woman was washing clothes at the water's edge,
and a large shark threw himself so far towards the shore as to be caught between
two rocks and retained a prisoner, unable to retreat".
NB SHARK ATTACKS ARE VERY RARE EVENTS IN THESE WATERS: ONCE EVERY CENTURY? The sharks probably follow the cruise ships.
General:
Humans and global warming to blame for sharp rise in shark attacks, study finds, The Independent
The shark attack on Vanda, Corfu History
NB I was NOT there at the time (as stated in the Corfu History posting). I heard the tragic story many years later, from a Corfiot who did witness the event.
The ultimate shark photo? MSN/National Geographic
İs there monument for Vanda?
ReplyDeleteNo...nothing! Back at that time, Greece was still very disorganized (let's not forget that she just came out from the terrible second world war, as well, as the tragic civil war, that shocked our nation, shortly after it) and therefore, it was difficult for such things, to be done back then! Additionally, the public opinion was very much in shock (and therefore, too numb, to react) from such an event, and the island was becoming slowly but steadily, a tourist destination and attraction! Further more, Mon Repos in particular, was the summer time, resort for the Greek royal family! Therefore, it would be in their worst interest, to try to build such a monument, since it would damage their reputation as well as interests! Unfortunately, poor little Vada, will enjoy a monument, only within our hearts and minds, and perhaps, in the memories, of Mr. Athanasainas (her - then - boyfriend) who up to date (2019) is still alive, indeed an old man already, living in Athens, and still bearing the scars of the shark's teeth, on his shoulder!
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ReplyDeleteI am not aware of any monument. But see this pdf link (surname should be Pieri):
http://www.sharkattackfile.net/spreadsheets/pdf_directory/1951.08.17.a-Perri.pdf
Years cover up the events like a blanket.We are thankful if we have found a photo.Forgetting is less painful than this shark.
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