It is interesting to know that sharks were not feared so much during this time.

I have even read scientific debates regarding whether sharks would attack people.. I think it was the late 1800s or even early 1900s before it was regarded that they attacked humans and became feared.

One branch of my family did have an intriguing letter written after making the Atlantic crossing in I think the 1820s. It was written in German, and it said that sea swine followed the ship awaiting someone to die.