Recap: Shark Week, 'Ocean of Fear: The Worst Shark Attack Ever'

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By Stone Martindale Jul 31, 2007, 16:45 GMT

Discovery Channel's "Shark Week" debuted Sunday night with the highest-rated premiere episode on record for the programming event. File photo shows a great white shark turning away from a diver using anti-shark technology in this undated handout photograph taken near Durban, South Africa. REUTERS/Natal Sharks Board/HO

File photo shows a great white shark turning away from a diver using anti-shark technology in this undated handout photograph taken near Durban, South Africa. REUTERS/Natal Sharks Board/HO"Ocean of Fear: The Worst Shark Attack Ever" drew 3.9 million total viewers from 9-11 p.m., according to Nielsen Media Research.

Dreyfuss

"Ocean of Fear," was narrated by Richard Dreyfuss, and told the story of the crew of the USS Indianapolis that was sunk by two Japanese torpedoes in the Philippine Sea on the night of July 30, 1945. Nine hundred sailors went into the water, and were adrift and helpless for four days, having to deal with hunger and thirst and menaced by hundreds of sharks.

Only 321 men came out of the water alive.Although billed as "The Worst Shark Attack Ever," the Sharks focused their attention on the men who had already died; some of those who were stranded said they didn't see a shark the entire time they were at sea.The Indianapolis had just dropped off parts for the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. During the grueling four days in the sea, under a brutal tropical sun, the men grabbed on to whatever would keep them afloat, rudimentary rafts, ropes with cork floaters, and waited. Sharks circled after the sound of the initial explosions.Interviews with the survivors were meshed with reenactments of the days at sea, as well as with testimony given afterward. The gruesome fates for so many posed the dilemma of what the other options were, just losing your mind, drinking seawater? Being devoured by a shark? Or wishing you had blown up on the ship.The Monsters database has the entire schedule of Shark Week shows to TiVo or plan to watch.

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Mary, West Jordan UT.Jul 31st, 2007 - 21:42:34

I just love Shark week. Since this is the 20th Anniversary, it is special to me because 10 years ago, the Discovery Channel had a contest during
Shark week and I sent in a post card and won! I won a week-end at Sea World in Calif. They said there were 35,000 post cards, and I was treated so fantastic, and the highlight was sleeping in the shark tank. I had a wonderful time and to this day, have always found sharks and other sea creatures fanscinating. Just sharing that there are actual winners of contest out there. Thanks again Discovery Channel!

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shortfgdtztwzerzAug 8th, 2007 - 00:03:22

Shark are attack the world today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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Recap: Shark Week, 'Ocean of Fear: The Worst Shark Attack Ever'

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