"...Eleven hundred men went in the water; 316 men come out and the sharks took the rest, June the 29th, 1945." (Quint - Jaws, 1975)

Image ID: ps_grd_197 A remarkable school of sharks encountered in the upper bay, off Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. (August 14, 1880)

This eerie and disquieting quote has haunted movie goers for almost 40 years. However, though Quint's story—while shocking—is factual, what is the truth about sharks? Are they the ruthless killers who terrorized the beaches of New Jersey in 1916 (attacks which served as the inspiration for Jaws) and who brutally dispatched the crew of the USS Indianapolis?

Or, are they the misunderstood prehistoric relics of the sea?—73 million of whom are killed yearly by fishermen and poachers.

NYPL Image ID: 403958 The White Shark. (1785-1797)

Shark Week starts August 4th! Decide for yourself and be amazed.

More Shark Facts & Fictions: 

• Shark Week! Facts & Fictions - our list of 10 essential Shark Week! accounts
• Left for Dead: A Young Man's Search for Justice for the USS Indianapolis
• Demon Fish: Travels through the Hidden World of Sharks
• Browse more shark images in NYPL Digital Collections