Drain Alcatraz: The World's Most Notorious Prison (Full Episode) | Drain the Oceans SPECIAL

National Geographic・2 minutes read

Alcatraz, known as "The Rock," was a supermax penitentiary holding infamous criminals with high security and few successful escape attempts due to dangerous conditions like icy waters and deadly currents. A new investigation using sonar scans and computer graphics aims to uncover the secrets of the seabed around Alcatraz, shedding light on the mysterious fate of the 1962 escapees and highlighting the geological factors that made Alcatraz an escape-proof prison.

Insights

  • Escape from Alcatraz was nearly impossible due to icy waters, deadly currents, fog, and predators, making it a formidable challenge for any prisoner attempting to flee the island.
  • The study of San Francisco Bay's currents reveals the complexity and unpredictability of the waters, shedding light on the geological factors that made Alcatraz an escape-proof prison, with the potential threat of a devastating earthquake looming as an additional deterrent.

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Recent questions

  • How did the geography around Alcatraz impact escape attempts?

    The underwater landscape around Alcatraz, with deep channels and large sand waves, played a crucial role in making escape attempts perilous. Sand and gravel carried through a narrow opening in the seabed get deposited in bed forms, shaping powerful tidal currents in San Francisco Bay. The deep gorge funnels water into a jet stream moving West, with the seabed rising from over 300 feet deep to just 130 feet, creating giant sand waves up to 30 feet high. These natural features made navigating the waters around Alcatraz extremely challenging for escapees, contributing to the prison's reputation as escape-proof.

  • What were the challenges faced by escapees from Alcatraz?

    Escapees from Alcatraz faced numerous challenges, including icy waters, deadly currents, fog, and predators. The cold water upwelling from the deep ocean mixed with warm air to create thick fog, which could conceal escapes but also pose dangers if escapees got lost. The strong currents in San Francisco Bay, particularly during ebbing tides off the North End of Alcatraz, made escaping extremely challenging. Additionally, the presence of great white sharks in the bay added another layer of danger for those attempting to flee the island. These factors combined to make escape from Alcatraz a daunting and nearly impossible task.

  • What happened to the 1962 Alcatraz escapees?

    The fate of the 1962 Alcatraz escapees, Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers, remains a mystery. Despite conflicting reports of their destination, evidence scattered across the Bay Area suggests a successful escape. The FBI investigation revealed a strong outgoing tide on the night of their escape, which would have aided their journey. The buoy test conducted in San Francisco Bay also highlighted the challenges faced by escapees due to powerful currents and the presence of predators like great white sharks. While their ultimate fate is unknown, the evidence suggests that the 1962 escapees may have successfully made it to shore.

  • Why was Alcatraz considered an escape-proof prison?

    Alcatraz was considered an escape-proof prison due to high security, constant surveillance, and extreme force used to suppress escape attempts. The island's isolated location a mile offshore from San Francisco, surrounded by icy waters and deadly currents, made escape attempts nearly impossible. Despite 14 escape attempts, with five men still unaccounted for, the harsh natural conditions and strict security measures deterred most prisoners from trying to flee. The complex underwater geography around Alcatraz, including deep channels and powerful tidal currents, further reinforced the reputation of the island as an escape-proof fortress.

  • How did the geography of San Francisco Bay impact escape attempts from Alcatraz?

    The geography of San Francisco Bay played a significant role in impacting escape attempts from Alcatraz. The complex currents, deep channels, and large sand waves created challenging conditions for anyone trying to navigate the waters surrounding the island. The unpredictability of the bay, combined with the presence of great white sharks and the deadly currents moving straight out to sea, made escaping off the North End of Alcatraz during ebbing tides extremely difficult. The study conducted by Patrick Barnard and Josh Logan highlighted the geological factors that made Alcatraz an escape-proof prison, shedding light on the formidable challenges faced by those attempting to break free from the island.

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Summary

00:00

Secrets of Alcatraz: Uncovering the Underwater Mysteries

  • Alcatraz, known as "The Rock," housed infamous criminals like Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and Whitey Bulger.
  • Escape from Alcatraz was nearly impossible due to icy waters, deadly currents, fog, and predators.
  • A new investigation using sonar scans and computer graphics aims to uncover the secrets of the seabed around Alcatraz.
  • In 1962, three men attempted to escape from Alcatraz by raft but were never seen again.
  • Alcatraz, a mile offshore from San Francisco, was a supermax penitentiary for 29 years, holding the most dangerous criminals.
  • Prison breaks were rare due to high security, constant surveillance, and extreme force used to suppress escape attempts.
  • Despite the dangers, 14 escape attempts were made, with five men still unaccounted for.
  • The 1962 escape attempt by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers involved an elaborate plan and homemade tools.
  • The escapees used dummy heads, a makeshift raft, and life vests to flee Alcatraz, but their fate remains a mystery.
  • The underwater landscape around Alcatraz, with deep channels and large sand waves, played a crucial role in making escape attempts perilous.

19:34

"Alcatraz Escape: Tides, Currents, and Fog"

  • Sand and gravel carried through a narrow opening in the seabed get deposited in bed forms, shaping powerful tidal currents in San Francisco Bay.
  • The deep gorge funnels water into a jet stream moving West, with the seabed rising from over 300 feet deep to just 130 feet, creating giant sand waves up to 30 feet high.
  • In 1962, Frank Morris and the Anglin Brothers attempted to escape Alcatraz, contending with racing tides and strong currents.
  • The FBI investigation revealed a strong outgoing tide on June 11th from 9 pm to 3 A.M., peaking at 11:46 pm, when the escapees hit the water in a homemade raft.
  • Escaping off the North End of Alcatraz during ebbing tides with strong currents was extremely challenging due to the deadly currents moving straight out to sea.
  • The cold water upwelling from the deep ocean in San Francisco Bay, mixed with warm air, creates fog, a deadly hazard for escapees.
  • Fog could conceal escapes from Alcatraz, but also pose dangers if escapees got lost in the foggy Bay.
  • The mechanism creating fog in San Francisco involves a Sea Breeze circulation condensing over cold water along the California coast, focusing fog through the Golden Gate towards Alcatraz.
  • The shipwreck of the City of Chester near the Golden Gate Bridge tells a tragic tale of a collision with the Oceanic liner due to thick fog and powerful currents.
  • The 1962 Alcatraz escapees' fate remains a mystery, with conflicting reports of their destination, but evidence scattered across the Bay Area suggests a successful escape.

39:32

Study of San Francisco Bay currents and Alcatraz.

  • Patrick Barnard and Josh Logan conduct tests in San Francisco Bay to study how the seabed affects water currents and to trace the route of 1962 escapees.
  • Three buoys are deployed, with the third buoy successfully reaching the open ocean, moving at a speed of 10 kilometers per hour and covering 6.8 kilometers in an hour.
  • The buoy test reveals the complexity of San Francisco Bay's currents, potentially explaining why escapees may not have survived due to powerful currents and the presence of great white sharks.
  • The study highlights the unpredictability of the bay, the challenges faced by potential escapees, and the geological factors that made Alcatraz an escape-proof prison, including the San Andreas fault and the potential threat of a devastating earthquake.
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