I think you are right, but in the case of the Indianapolis and many other wrecks / sinkings where shark attacks are reported they happen far out in the ocan. Pelagic sharks, or deep sea sharks, can't be beggars, there is suprsingly little to eat right out in the middle of the oceans.
Plus, as has been mentioned blood would definitely put them in a another state of mind. Many of the accounts of battles of this time mention blood litterally running down the sides of ships...
Bookmarks