Releasing the footage “marks the first time humans have laid eyes on the ill-fated ship since 1912,” WHOI said, and includes several other iconic scenes.
The Titanic, thought nearly unsinkable when it was built, was the largest ocean liner in service at the time. It struck an iceberg in the Atlantic on April 14, 1912, as it made its maiden voyage from Southampton, England to New York. More than 1,500 people died in the sinking, which shocked the world and sparked outrage over the lack of lifeboats on board.
A team from WHOI and the French National Institute of Oceanography found the ship broken in two on September 1, 1985, southeast of Newfoundland, Canada.
During 11 dives in July 1986, the footage was shot by cameras on a man-manned submersible and a small remotely operated vessel that maneuvered through tight spaces.
The footage has been unveiled to mark the 25th anniversary of the re-release of director James Cameron’s 1997 film “Titanic”. The film won 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.