A new documentary is set to shed light on the final hours on the Titanic before its sinking on April 15, 1912.
The 90-minute feature from National Geographic will examine the most infamous maritime disaster as it unveils the most precise model of the Titanic ever created using 715,000 digitally captured images.
In an extended first-look clip from the documentary, Titanic analyst Parks Stephenson, metallurgist Jennifer Hooper, and master mariner Captain Chris Hearn are seen examining the digital twin of the ship and in particular, a lifeboat davit.
Their analysis of the digital scans adds to the evidence exonerating First Officer Murdoch, long accused of abandoning his post. The position of a lifeboat davit suggests his crew was preparing a launch moments before the starboard side was engulfed, corroborating Second Officer Charles Lightoller’s testimony that Murdoch was swept away by the sea.
Parks explained the position of this davit may exonerate him and prove he was helping passengers off the ship until the very last moment.
Parks explained: "This is the number one lifeboat station," as Chris asked: "That was Murdoch's station right?"
"Yes it was," Parks continued. "You'll notice that the davit is in the upright or retracted position. This davit is in the upright position meaning it's crew is basically trying to get a lifeboat ready to be launched."
It is then revealed First Officer William Murdoch had allowed men to board lifeboats alongside women and children, which many of his fellow crew did not allow.
Parks continued: "This coincides with Second Officer Charles Lightoller's description, who was standing on top of the deck house back here.
"This davit right here stands in new testimony that supports Lightoller's version of events because being in the upright position is exactly what Lightoller describes."
The documentary will also examines in stunning detail the 15-square-mile debris field, rich with hundreds of personal artefacts, including pocket watches, purses, gold coins, hair combs, shoes and a shark’s tooth charm, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives lost.
And tragically, Parks, Jennifer and Chris discover a steam valve in the open position, validating eyewitness accounts that the ship’s engineers remained at their posts in boiler room two for over two hours after impact, keeping the electricity on and allowing wireless distress signals to be sent. The 35 men may have saved hundreds of lives while sacrificing their own.
Titanic: The Digital Resurrection is available to watch Tuesday, 15th April at 8pm exclusively on National Geographic.
English (United States) ·