In the mid-1970s, when Jaws came to Martha’s Vineyard, a little boy named Andy Nerney was living with his grandparents in East Chop, a quiet part of Oak Bluffs. Their house overlooked the harbor, and not far from where his grandfather kept his boat, the film crew had parked something strange on a rack in the water: the giant mechanical shark everyone called “Bruce.”
For Andy, only five years old, the sight of that enormous creature resting in the harbor had to be impressive. Even out of the water, its open jaws and rows of teeth made it look alive. He was close enough to see the famous movie monster before it ever hit the screen.
That summer, the island buzzed with film activity. Down at the bridge between Oak Bluffs and Edgartown—the one now nicknamed Jaws Bridge—the crew floated red-stained towels in the current to stand in for blood. Families wandered by to watch, and Andy’s grandmother brought him to see the commotion from the railings above.
Somewhere in the middle of all that excitement, his parents snapped a photo of him with Bruce in the background—a piece of Vineyard history caught on film, long before the rest of the world would come to know the shark.
For Andy, growing up by the sea, the whole thing became part of the fabric of island life: a Hollywood shark stored in the harbor, a bridge turned into a movie set, and a small boy who got to stand in the middle of it all.
Special Limited Deal On Gulf Great White Shark Society Shirts
You’ve asked for it and they have arrived! Gulf Great White Shark Society t-shirts anyone?
I have a special lot of shirts that arrived and since “Jaws” is being re-released this weekend we’re doing a Gulf Great White Shark Society t-shirt and a decal with shipping (US only) for $20.
We have adult small through 2X although we only have a few 2X. Shirts are going fast!
You can order by clicking here.
This combo won’t last long so order now and show your support for our positive, fun, educational conservation movement for great whites and other large sharks in Gulf waters.
Chester Moore
Follow Chester Moore on the following social media platforms
@gulfgreatwhitesharksociety on Instagram
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Email Chester at chester@chestermoore.com.
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