1
00:00:07,441 --> 00:00:09,441
Narrator: Gold fever.
2
00:00:10,711 --> 00:00:13,145
Builds fortunes.
3
00:00:13,447 --> 00:00:15,948
And destroys lives.
4
00:00:16,050 --> 00:00:18,434
John: If you're the first
in you make a fortune.
5
00:00:19,136 --> 00:00:22,071
If you're the last in
you lose all your money.
6
00:00:22,573 --> 00:00:25,674
Narrator: A century later, the
hidden story of the gold rush
7
00:00:25,776 --> 00:00:28,777
Lies deep below
the rivers, lakes
8
00:00:28,879 --> 00:00:31,814
And even the streets
of the american west.
9
00:00:35,036 --> 00:00:38,470
Imagine if we could
empty the oceans,
10
00:00:38,572 --> 00:00:41,273
Letting the water
drain away,
11
00:00:41,742 --> 00:00:44,910
To reveal the secrets
of the sea floor.
12
00:00:46,714 --> 00:00:49,615
Now, we can.
13
00:00:49,850 --> 00:00:53,936
Using accurate data, and
astonishing technology,
14
00:00:55,039 --> 00:00:58,807
To bring light once
again into a lost world.
15
00:01:04,648 --> 00:01:06,865
What can a mystery
shipwreck tell us about
16
00:01:06,967 --> 00:01:09,935
The deadly perils
of the gold rush.
17
00:01:10,571 --> 00:01:14,039
Lindsey: About 100,000
people set off and only
about 30,000 made it.
18
00:01:14,708 --> 00:01:18,844
Narrator: When being
first is everything, is
any risk worth taking?
19
00:01:19,413 --> 00:01:21,180
Robert: He was asked,
"do you wanna slow down?"
20
00:01:21,282 --> 00:01:23,899
And he's like,
"no, let her rip."
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00:01:24,001 --> 00:01:26,268
Narrator: And what
extraordinary secret lies
22
00:01:26,370 --> 00:01:29,571
Buried beneath one of
america's greatest cities.
23
00:01:30,207 --> 00:01:32,608
Deborah: There could be as
many as 100 vessels buried
24
00:01:32,710 --> 00:01:35,210
Under the streets
of san francisco.
25
00:01:35,946 --> 00:01:42,101
(theme music plays).
26
00:01:47,274 --> 00:01:50,142
Narrator: This
is gold country.
27
00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:56,782
The rugged north west of
the american continent.
28
00:01:58,819 --> 00:02:03,472
An epic landscape that's
home to a truly epic story.
29
00:02:06,544 --> 00:02:10,546
James: The quest for gold
has been the defining
aspect of world history.
30
00:02:11,849 --> 00:02:14,666
Great movements of people,
31
00:02:14,768 --> 00:02:18,670
The rise of new states, of
new cities, of new nations.
32
00:02:20,541 --> 00:02:23,942
We can't under estimate
the power of the gold rush.
33
00:02:28,449 --> 00:02:32,734
Narrator: Throughout the
19th century hundreds of
thousands of fortune hunters
34
00:02:32,837 --> 00:02:35,771
Raced to the gold fields
of north america,
35
00:02:37,374 --> 00:02:41,410
Knowing that just a few nuggets
can transform their lives.
36
00:02:44,682 --> 00:02:49,668
In 1896, the most
extraordinary rush of
them all starts here.
37
00:02:51,839 --> 00:02:53,839
In the klondike.
38
00:02:53,941 --> 00:02:57,075
Deep in yukon territory,
northern canada.
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00:02:58,479 --> 00:03:01,980
One of the most remote
places on earth.
40
00:03:03,117 --> 00:03:07,069
At the heart of the
region, sits lake laberge.
41
00:03:12,409 --> 00:03:16,478
And in the lake, a
gold rush mystery.
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00:03:27,074 --> 00:03:30,542
An international team of
maritime archaeologists
43
00:03:30,644 --> 00:03:34,346
Have come here to investigate
the klondike gold rush.
44
00:03:42,439 --> 00:03:48,076
Even in the height of summer
the waters of lake laberge
are dangerously cold.
45
00:03:50,648 --> 00:03:54,433
Lindsey: You only have about
30 to 40 minutes in the water
before you freeze to death.
46
00:03:57,037 --> 00:04:00,372
Narrator: But the team is
willing to take the risk
because of what's lying
47
00:04:00,541 --> 00:04:02,441
On the bottom of the lake.
48
00:04:07,581 --> 00:04:11,867
Lindsey: As you swim toward
the wreck it comes at you
out of this brilliant green,
49
00:04:13,270 --> 00:04:15,304
Like a ghost ship.
50
00:04:16,440 --> 00:04:19,741
Like it just is
waiting for you.
51
00:04:21,178 --> 00:04:23,211
Narrator: It's clearly a ship.
52
00:04:23,314 --> 00:04:26,715
But like no other ever
found in the yukon.
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00:04:29,270 --> 00:04:33,272
In their short time
underwater, the team record
glimpses of the wreck.
54
00:04:34,608 --> 00:04:37,943
They want to know
what it's doing here.
55
00:04:40,047 --> 00:04:44,566
To understand more, we can
turn to high resolution
scans and data mapping.
56
00:04:46,470 --> 00:04:50,405
Use powerful
computer software.
57
00:04:52,376 --> 00:04:57,145
Empty lake laberge and
reveal a remarkable sight.
58
00:05:04,204 --> 00:05:08,674
Exposed to the light
of day for the first
time in over 100 years,
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00:05:08,776 --> 00:05:13,211
A complete 19th century steamer.
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00:05:18,502 --> 00:05:23,105
Perfectly preserved,
right down to the
logs in its boiler.
61
00:05:25,242 --> 00:05:29,811
But with its open decks,
it seems more suited to the
sub-tropical mississippi
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00:05:29,913 --> 00:05:33,482
Than the frozen wastes
of northern canada.
63
00:05:34,268 --> 00:05:37,536
So what's it doing here?
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00:05:40,774 --> 00:05:44,009
Delving into historical records,
the team pieces together
65
00:05:44,111 --> 00:05:47,946
A story that starts in
the summer of 1896.
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00:05:49,283 --> 00:05:52,768
Prospectors explore deep
in the yukon valley.
67
00:05:54,004 --> 00:05:58,306
In a tributary of the
klondike river, native
american skookum jim mason
68
00:05:58,409 --> 00:06:02,177
And his partners are
panning for gold.
69
00:06:02,279 --> 00:06:06,681
They find so much they rename
the place bonanza creek.
70
00:06:07,568 --> 00:06:10,836
James: The klondike discovery
of gold in canada's yukon,
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00:06:10,938 --> 00:06:13,638
Couldn't have happened in
a more inopportune place.
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00:06:13,741 --> 00:06:17,542
It's very much out of the way
and it's also sub-arctic,
73
00:06:18,045 --> 00:06:23,682
So it gets very cold,
very, very cold.
74
00:06:27,071 --> 00:06:32,841
Narrator: More prospectors
strike it rich and soon,
word spreads, like wildfire.
75
00:06:39,716 --> 00:06:43,502
By the summer of 1897,
fortune hunters jostle for
76
00:06:43,604 --> 00:06:47,005
Places on ships heading
north from seattle.
77
00:06:48,842 --> 00:06:53,211
100,000 people are trying
to reach the klondike.
78
00:06:57,601 --> 00:07:01,436
Before them an epic challenge.
79
00:07:02,339 --> 00:07:08,543
First, a voyage to alaska,
then over land to the head
waters of the yukon river,
80
00:07:09,213 --> 00:07:13,999
The jumping off point for a
perilous journey downstream
to the gold fields.
81
00:07:17,538 --> 00:07:22,574
And simply to reach
the head waters they have to
cross a huge mountain range.
82
00:07:24,144 --> 00:07:27,913
The quickest way through
is also the hardest.
83
00:07:30,501 --> 00:07:33,768
John: The chilkoot trail was
the shortest land route
84
00:07:33,871 --> 00:07:35,804
Into the head waters
of the yukon river.
85
00:07:35,906 --> 00:07:39,608
But the problem of getting
into those head waters
was that 3600 foot pass.
86
00:07:40,110 --> 00:07:43,578
And the last four miles
was at a 35 degree slope.
87
00:07:48,569 --> 00:07:53,138
Narrator: By the time
the army of prospectors
arrives, it's deep winter,
88
00:07:54,074 --> 00:07:57,008
With temperatures
down to minus 40.
89
00:08:02,416 --> 00:08:03,782
Lindsey: Many people
couldn't make it.
90
00:08:03,884 --> 00:08:05,634
You would pass out
from exhaustion.
91
00:08:05,736 --> 00:08:07,636
Be unable to continue.
92
00:08:07,738 --> 00:08:10,071
Countless numbers turned
back at that point.
93
00:08:10,174 --> 00:08:12,707
They just were
unable to keep going.
94
00:08:13,944 --> 00:08:18,346
Narrator: Those that do
reach the river are still
300 miles from the gold.
95
00:08:20,767 --> 00:08:24,035
And the yukon is frozen solid.
96
00:08:25,939 --> 00:08:30,609
They spend the rest of the
winter chopping down trees
and building makeshift boats.
97
00:08:34,815 --> 00:08:37,666
Lindsey: Many of who
were building boats had
no experience at all
98
00:08:37,768 --> 00:08:41,403
And so they actually would
call these boats coffin boats.
99
00:08:41,505 --> 00:08:44,739
These rough structures that
were meant to pass through
these incredible rapids and
100
00:08:44,841 --> 00:08:46,908
Even the deep water lake.
101
00:08:47,010 --> 00:08:50,745
And so many of them, you
would die in that boat.
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00:08:52,916 --> 00:08:55,700
Narrator: One thing is clear.
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00:08:55,802 --> 00:09:02,107
In the yukon of late 1897,
the key to striking it
rich is transport.
104
00:09:06,980 --> 00:09:10,799
Which casts new light
on the mystery wreck.
105
00:09:11,435 --> 00:09:13,735
It's definitely
not a coffin boat.
106
00:09:17,774 --> 00:09:21,910
Where they use oars,
this has a paddle wheel.
107
00:09:23,914 --> 00:09:28,233
Where they use sails
and muscle power,
this has a boiler.
108
00:09:30,103 --> 00:09:35,473
And where they are made of
wood and nails, this has
iron plates and rivets.
109
00:09:42,649 --> 00:09:48,837
Faster and stronger
than any wooden rival, a
gold prospector's dream.
110
00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:53,959
John: It's the old rule
that if you're the first
in you make a fortune.
111
00:09:54,044 --> 00:09:57,345
If you're second in
you maybe break even,
112
00:09:57,447 --> 00:10:00,315
And if you're the third in
you lose all your money.
113
00:10:01,201 --> 00:10:06,938
Narrator: A key question
remains, how could a heavy
metal ship have gotten here?
114
00:10:08,809 --> 00:10:12,911
Across some of
the most unforgiving
terrain on the planet.
115
00:10:13,747 --> 00:10:17,248
And with no obvious
river route to the coast.
116
00:10:18,602 --> 00:10:22,637
The answer lies in the
drained wreck itself.
117
00:10:23,974 --> 00:10:28,610
The sheets of metal which
make up the hull are crudely
riveted and bolted together.
118
00:10:29,846 --> 00:10:33,782
The boiler is unusually
small for a steam ship.
119
00:10:34,968 --> 00:10:41,072
In fact, every part of the
steamer is small, light
and crucially, portable.
120
00:10:44,378 --> 00:10:46,678
This is its secret.
121
00:10:46,780 --> 00:10:49,414
It doesn't sail here at all.
122
00:10:49,516 --> 00:10:51,966
It is carried.
123
00:10:58,375 --> 00:11:02,744
Its metal hull and engine are
hauled over the mountains.
124
00:11:04,681 --> 00:11:07,899
John: The hull was
made in san francisco.
125
00:11:08,568 --> 00:11:14,706
They added engine components
to it from seattle and then
the whole thing was shipped up
126
00:11:14,808 --> 00:11:18,610
In pieces, hauled across
the mountain and assembled.
127
00:11:20,247 --> 00:11:22,380
There's nothing like it.
128
00:11:24,067 --> 00:11:26,935
Narrator: The designers of
this prefabricated steam ship
129
00:11:27,037 --> 00:11:30,205
Are a remarkable pair
of entrepreneurs.
130
00:11:31,074 --> 00:11:34,809
Husband and wife, albert
and clara goddard.
131
00:11:35,345 --> 00:11:39,314
James: Goddard realizes the
key to opening up the run
is to use a modern steamer.
132
00:11:39,950 --> 00:11:41,266
Iron hulled.
133
00:11:41,368 --> 00:11:43,268
Strong and efficient.
134
00:11:43,370 --> 00:11:46,705
What the goddard's
come up with is genius.
135
00:11:56,016 --> 00:12:02,337
Narrator: May 1898, an army
of gold prospectors jostle
for position waiting for
136
00:12:02,439 --> 00:12:07,876
The ice to melt and 7,000
handmade boats stand ready.
137
00:12:10,447 --> 00:12:13,681
James: "the long grip
of winter and darkness
is coming to an end.
138
00:12:13,784 --> 00:12:18,169
The ice is beginning
to crack and groan as
the temperatures rise
139
00:12:18,271 --> 00:12:21,806
And everybody's poised and
waiting for that moment."
140
00:12:28,682 --> 00:12:32,434
Narrator: Suddenly
the way north is open.
141
00:12:34,805 --> 00:12:38,072
The race is on.
142
00:12:40,310 --> 00:12:43,344
Lindsey: There's an incredible
scene like rush hour traffic.
143
00:12:44,481 --> 00:12:47,499
With all these
ridiculous little boats.
144
00:12:48,502 --> 00:12:52,670
Narrator: And one boat
enjoys a huge advantage.
145
00:12:53,673 --> 00:12:57,942
Assembled during the
depths of winter,
weighing 15 tons,
146
00:12:58,945 --> 00:13:00,645
With a flat bottom
147
00:13:00,814 --> 00:13:04,466
Built to navigate shallow
stretches of the yukon river
148
00:13:04,568 --> 00:13:09,437
And named after her designer,
the a j goddard.
149
00:13:13,443 --> 00:13:15,810
The prospectors crammed
on board paid for
150
00:13:15,912 --> 00:13:18,680
The privilege of getting
to the gold fields quickly.
151
00:13:19,649 --> 00:13:23,168
Piloted by clara
goddard herself.
152
00:13:25,405 --> 00:13:28,606
Lindsey: We don't have
a written record of what
happened, but 22 people
153
00:13:28,708 --> 00:13:32,510
Crowded on to this
tiny boat where there's
no interior cabin.
154
00:13:33,213 --> 00:13:36,147
There's nowhere to go to
get out of the elements.
155
00:13:40,604 --> 00:13:43,304
Narrator: Steaming ahead
at a steady six knots,
156
00:13:43,373 --> 00:13:46,908
She leaves the makeshift
coffin boats in her wake.
157
00:13:47,611 --> 00:13:51,646
But downstream lies the
fearsome white horse rapids.
158
00:13:53,316 --> 00:13:57,335
Three miles of raging
rock strewn waters.
159
00:13:58,738 --> 00:14:02,240
Unknown numbers of people
lose their lives here.
160
00:14:06,146 --> 00:14:10,782
But the goddard's flat bottom
design helps them navigate
through the rapids with ease.
161
00:14:11,835 --> 00:14:16,504
And after just five
days, she arrives in
the boom town of dawson,
162
00:14:17,007 --> 00:14:19,407
Gateway to the gold fields.
163
00:14:20,243 --> 00:14:24,012
Lindsey: As the goddard
steams into dawson city it
was met with cheers from
164
00:14:24,114 --> 00:14:28,032
The towns people, who
had never seen such a boat
come into the town before.
165
00:14:28,602 --> 00:14:30,835
It was quite a reception.
166
00:14:30,937 --> 00:14:33,037
Narrator: It's a huge success.
167
00:14:33,139 --> 00:14:35,840
Now albert and clara plan
to make their fortune
168
00:14:35,942 --> 00:14:38,943
Running prospectors back
and forth to dawson.
169
00:14:39,813 --> 00:14:42,847
But the goddard never
makes the trip again.
170
00:14:42,949 --> 00:14:44,966
What goes wrong?
171
00:14:54,978 --> 00:14:57,545
Narrator: Archaeologists want
to know why the a j goddard
172
00:14:57,647 --> 00:15:00,815
Never travels to the
klondike gold fields again
173
00:15:01,334 --> 00:15:05,470
And today lies at the
bottom of lake laberge.
174
00:15:10,176 --> 00:15:14,479
Now drained, the wreck seems
to be in perfect repair.
175
00:15:16,283 --> 00:15:20,735
But accounts from the late
19th century reveal an issue
176
00:15:20,837 --> 00:15:24,706
That albert and clara goddard
hadn't thought through.
177
00:15:25,875 --> 00:15:28,343
Gravity.
178
00:15:29,312 --> 00:15:32,080
Lindsey: When they were going
to the gold fields, they were
going with the rapids,
179
00:15:32,182 --> 00:15:34,548
They were going down river.
180
00:15:34,650 --> 00:15:38,369
Now when they're returning,
they're having to go up river
past some really strong water.
181
00:15:39,806 --> 00:15:42,607
The goddard wasn't
built for that.
182
00:15:43,343 --> 00:15:46,077
Narrator: The goddard's
boiler is small.
183
00:15:46,179 --> 00:15:49,113
Small enough to be
carried over a mountain.
184
00:15:50,383 --> 00:15:55,136
But too small to generate
the power needed to plough
upstream through the mighty
185
00:15:55,238 --> 00:15:57,171
White horse rapids.
186
00:15:57,273 --> 00:16:00,475
The goddard's have
miscalculated.
187
00:16:00,644 --> 00:16:02,810
Lindsey: At some points they
had to tie ropes to the boat
188
00:16:02,912 --> 00:16:05,346
And pull it through the
more difficult sections.
189
00:16:07,250 --> 00:16:10,835
Narrator: The goddard
never attempts the
run to dawson again.
190
00:16:11,972 --> 00:16:15,807
Her days of transporting high
paying prospectors are over.
191
00:16:15,909 --> 00:16:19,127
Before they ever really begin.
192
00:16:22,716 --> 00:16:27,902
Instead she becomes
a humble ferry boat,
here on lake laberge,
193
00:16:29,105 --> 00:16:31,472
Where she spends the
next three years
194
00:16:31,574 --> 00:16:35,576
Carrying supplies for
prospectors back and
forth across the lake.
195
00:16:37,681 --> 00:16:39,681
There's a final question.
196
00:16:39,783 --> 00:16:43,034
Why does she now
lie on the bottom?
197
00:16:43,703 --> 00:16:47,071
There's no sign of damage
on the wreck itself.
198
00:16:48,274 --> 00:16:54,445
But in October 1901, lake
laberge is hit by the
worst storm of the year.
199
00:17:05,542 --> 00:17:10,311
The goddard's are working
the lake, carrying four
crew and one passenger,
200
00:17:11,848 --> 00:17:15,767
Suddenly she's surrounded
by a mass of churning waves.
201
00:17:17,337 --> 00:17:19,670
John: You're used to
seeing ocean storms with
these mountainous waves,
202
00:17:19,773 --> 00:17:21,973
And they're very high.
203
00:17:22,709 --> 00:17:27,245
You don't get waves like
that on lakes, they often,
at maximum 6 to 8 feet high.
204
00:17:29,516 --> 00:17:34,168
But where their danger is, is
they're much closer together
and they're much steeper.
205
00:17:38,341 --> 00:17:42,510
Narrator: Waves crash on deck
and water fills the firebox,
206
00:17:42,879 --> 00:17:45,313
Leaving the goddard powerless.
207
00:17:48,234 --> 00:17:51,302
She drifts carried
by the storm.
208
00:17:54,974 --> 00:17:58,342
Lindsey: Finally, enough
water floods into the hull,
going through the hatches,
209
00:17:58,445 --> 00:18:01,846
That it just weighs too much
and it sinks to the bottom.
210
00:18:11,808 --> 00:18:14,809
Narrator: Two men somehow
make it to the shore.
211
00:18:14,911 --> 00:18:17,011
But three drown.
212
00:18:23,736 --> 00:18:27,271
The goddard still lies at
the bottom of the lake.
213
00:18:27,373 --> 00:18:30,541
A telling example of
the hope, the ingenuity,
214
00:18:30,643 --> 00:18:33,211
But also the disappointment
215
00:18:33,313 --> 00:18:36,514
At the heart of so
many gold rush stories.
216
00:18:38,768 --> 00:18:42,770
Lindsey: About 100,000 people
set off for the gold fields
and only about 30,000 made it.
217
00:18:44,574 --> 00:18:48,242
For those who got
there, the best claims
were already staked,
218
00:18:48,344 --> 00:18:51,779
So they arrived and
everything was taken.
219
00:18:53,616 --> 00:18:58,736
Narrator: Gold to the value
of nearly $900 million in
today's prices is unearthed
220
00:18:58,872 --> 00:19:02,406
In the three years of
the klondike rush.
221
00:19:04,077 --> 00:19:08,546
But fewer than 4,000
prospectors ever find any.
222
00:19:09,983 --> 00:19:14,001
And only a few hundred
make big money.
223
00:19:15,872 --> 00:19:19,707
Today, little evidence of
those dramatic days remains.
224
00:19:21,544 --> 00:19:27,014
The yukon is once again a
realm of forest, snow and ice.
225
00:19:30,003 --> 00:19:36,040
But 1500 miles to the
south, and 50 years earlier,
there is another gold rush.
226
00:19:37,043 --> 00:19:41,279
One that changes america
and the world forever.
227
00:19:43,750 --> 00:19:47,702
200 years ago, san francisco
is a tiny settlement.
228
00:19:52,609 --> 00:19:56,310
James delgado, archaeologist
from search incorporated
229
00:19:56,412 --> 00:20:00,414
Wants to know how it turned into
the global city it is today.
230
00:20:01,467 --> 00:20:04,769
The key is a single discovery.
231
00:20:07,140 --> 00:20:11,475
Right next to san francisco's
iconic trans america pyramid.
232
00:20:12,979 --> 00:20:18,332
Where over 40 years ago,
delgado first glimpses
something extraordinary.
233
00:20:20,403 --> 00:20:23,838
James: In may 1978 I was
standing basically right here,
234
00:20:24,741 --> 00:20:27,875
Looking down at the
outline of a ship in the
mud 20 feet below me.
235
00:20:31,581 --> 00:20:35,733
Narrator: A wooden ship,
right in the heart of
the financial district.
236
00:20:41,040 --> 00:20:43,774
Buried beneath the streets.
237
00:20:45,578 --> 00:20:48,179
What is it doing here?
238
00:20:48,815 --> 00:20:53,100
To learn more, we can
use the latest computer
imaging technology.
239
00:20:57,907 --> 00:21:01,943
Stripping away the
21st century surface.
240
00:21:03,947 --> 00:21:08,499
Peeling back 150 years
of urban development.
241
00:21:10,737 --> 00:21:15,573
Even draining away
the thick layers of silt
that lie under the city.
242
00:21:22,115 --> 00:21:28,502
To expose the ghostly
outline of a sailing ship
from the mid 19th century.
243
00:21:32,041 --> 00:21:35,543
Its name, the niantic.
244
00:21:40,316 --> 00:21:44,035
An ocean-going merchant ship,
the workhorse of the seas,
245
00:21:44,137 --> 00:21:48,039
Built to carry cargo
from the us to china
246
00:21:48,141 --> 00:21:50,141
And across the world.
247
00:21:50,243 --> 00:21:55,680
So, what's she doing beneath
the streets of san francisco?
248
00:22:04,707 --> 00:22:10,277
Narrator: The story of the
ship under san francisco
starts in January 1848
249
00:22:10,380 --> 00:22:13,581
Amid the foothills of the
sierra nevada mountains.
250
00:22:17,804 --> 00:22:23,040
James marshal, a
carpenter spots something
yellow and shiny in the
251
00:22:23,142 --> 00:22:26,544
Water channel of a saw
mill he's building.
252
00:22:27,847 --> 00:22:31,048
James: When asked what it
is, he says, "boys, I believe
I found me a gold mine."
253
00:22:32,101 --> 00:22:36,203
And in that simple act of
plucking a sun struck fleck
of gold from that mill race,
254
00:22:36,305 --> 00:22:41,642
James marshal set off one
of the most incredible
migrations of human kind.
255
00:22:42,678 --> 00:22:44,879
The california gold rush.
256
00:22:46,716 --> 00:22:51,369
Narrator: Over the
next decade, 300,000
people will head west.
257
00:22:52,338 --> 00:22:57,908
Ordinary men and women
abandon their homes,
jobs, farms, and families,
258
00:22:58,444 --> 00:23:01,312
Driven by the chance
to find gold.
259
00:23:02,115 --> 00:23:05,132
Richard: People came
from England, ireland,
France, germany.
260
00:23:05,234 --> 00:23:08,469
In fact, it probably was the
first time, on the planet,
261
00:23:08,571 --> 00:23:10,604
That so many people
from all over the world
262
00:23:10,706 --> 00:23:13,107
Gathered in one place.
263
00:23:20,216 --> 00:23:22,900
Narrator: The 49ers,
as they're called,
264
00:23:23,002 --> 00:23:26,036
Face a huge challenge
getting to the gold fields.
265
00:23:26,939 --> 00:23:29,473
Crossing the continent
takes months.
266
00:23:29,575 --> 00:23:35,246
They risk starvation,
disease or attack by hostile
native american tribes.
267
00:23:37,617 --> 00:23:42,303
It's faster by sea and
many 49ers head to panama,
268
00:23:44,407 --> 00:23:48,075
Crossing the isthmus through
swelteringly hot jungle.
269
00:23:49,745 --> 00:23:52,079
Thousands pay the
ultimate price.
270
00:23:53,549 --> 00:23:59,069
James: At one stage, panama
city had more dead 49ers
271
00:23:59,172 --> 00:24:02,206
Buried in its soil than
it had living panamanians.
272
00:24:05,178 --> 00:24:08,546
Narrator: Those that
survive, begin the third
leg of their journey,
273
00:24:08,648 --> 00:24:11,499
Sailing north to san francisco.
274
00:24:13,870 --> 00:24:17,571
One of the ships that
will make that voyage
is the niantic.
275
00:24:18,708 --> 00:24:21,809
Recently converted
to carry passengers.
276
00:24:23,146 --> 00:24:26,981
San francisco's
marime archives reveal
what happened next.
277
00:24:28,117 --> 00:24:30,901
Deborah: This is the
niantic log book.
278
00:24:31,904 --> 00:24:33,437
Here.
279
00:24:33,539 --> 00:24:36,173
James: This is like
the iconic scene.
280
00:24:36,275 --> 00:24:38,309
Narrator: The skipper,
captain henry cleveland,
281
00:24:38,411 --> 00:24:41,512
Crams 249 fortune
seekers on board.
282
00:24:42,215 --> 00:24:46,467
Each paying an exorbitant
amount of money, desperate
to get to california.
283
00:24:47,236 --> 00:24:50,804
James: Here's niantic's
passengers coming out in
boats to meet the ship.
284
00:24:52,808 --> 00:24:56,877
Deborah: They would
have charged around
$250, in 1849 prices,
285
00:24:56,979 --> 00:24:59,947
Which today's is about $5,000.
286
00:25:00,116 --> 00:25:02,867
So very much more than the
going rate would have cost.
287
00:25:02,969 --> 00:25:05,436
But they had no other option.
288
00:25:06,439 --> 00:25:10,274
Narrator: Niantic arrives in
san francisco in July 1849.
289
00:25:11,244 --> 00:25:14,545
Home to just a few thousand
traders and sailors.
290
00:25:15,815 --> 00:25:18,899
But her log book reveals
that niantic's passengers
291
00:25:19,001 --> 00:25:21,869
Aren't the only ones
dreaming of riches.
292
00:25:22,905 --> 00:25:26,473
James: Captain cleaveland
holds off anchors and has
his passengers ferried ashore
293
00:25:26,576 --> 00:25:28,809
By boat with their baggage.
294
00:25:28,911 --> 00:25:33,280
But he begins to worry,
as he should, because
gold fever is rampant
295
00:25:33,382 --> 00:25:35,900
And his crew are
beginning to mutter.
296
00:25:36,302 --> 00:25:40,004
"baggage ashore, five
of the crew deserted."
297
00:25:41,874 --> 00:25:44,775
The last entry here
July 12th 1849 is the
298
00:25:44,877 --> 00:25:49,413
Crew is breaking out the
last of the run, everything
that's stored in the ship.
299
00:25:49,515 --> 00:25:53,634
Narrator: One by one, the crew
deserts and heads for the hills.
300
00:25:55,738 --> 00:25:58,606
A week after arriving
in san francisco,
301
00:25:58,708 --> 00:26:02,409
The ship sits in the cove
almost completely empty.
302
00:26:04,981 --> 00:26:09,833
So why didn't the ship's
owners simply hire another
crew and sail her away?
303
00:26:13,339 --> 00:26:17,641
The answer to that also
lies beneath the streets
of san francisco.
304
00:26:20,913 --> 00:26:23,714
Removing yet more
tons of ancient silt,
305
00:26:25,701 --> 00:26:29,103
Reveals that niantic
is far from alone.
306
00:26:31,474 --> 00:26:35,242
She's just one of a vast
fleet of ghost ships,
307
00:26:35,344 --> 00:26:38,946
Lying deep beneath
the modern city.
308
00:26:46,138 --> 00:26:49,890
Evidence of an
extraordinary story.
309
00:26:51,243 --> 00:26:57,381
James: In 1849 alone,
762 american ships
come to san francisco.
310
00:26:58,184 --> 00:27:02,202
Joined by hundreds of others
from around the world.
311
00:27:02,305 --> 00:27:06,073
Narrator: Scores of
vessels are now moored
alongside the niantic,
312
00:27:06,142 --> 00:27:09,109
All bringing prospectors
to california.
313
00:27:09,812 --> 00:27:12,946
Deborah: Unfortunately,
most of these vessels
arrived in san francisco
314
00:27:13,049 --> 00:27:14,398
And their crews deserted.
315
00:27:16,202 --> 00:27:19,169
James: What you find,
ultimately, is a scene
described by contemporaries
316
00:27:19,271 --> 00:27:24,174
As a forest of masts,
with hundreds of these
ships sitting there,
317
00:27:24,276 --> 00:27:27,011
With no place to go
and nothing to do.
318
00:27:28,681 --> 00:27:33,434
Narrator: And now another
astonishing part of the gold
rush story comes into play.
319
00:27:35,338 --> 00:27:37,738
In just six months,
320
00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:42,976
San francisco's population
leaps from 5,000 to 25,000.
321
00:27:46,916 --> 00:27:50,234
The town needs
to grow and fast.
322
00:27:52,838 --> 00:27:55,973
Entrepreneurs come up
with the perfect solution.
323
00:27:56,075 --> 00:27:59,643
Ships like niantic
will become the city.
324
00:28:00,413 --> 00:28:02,079
Deborah: So these savvy
businessmen decided,
325
00:28:02,181 --> 00:28:05,165
"we're gonna use these
vessels for a new function."
326
00:28:05,267 --> 00:28:07,835
They were hauled ashore
and used for store ships.
327
00:28:07,937 --> 00:28:11,638
They were also used
for boarding houses, as
churches, as offices.
328
00:28:13,209 --> 00:28:18,345
Narrator: Niantic is hauled
on to the mud flats and
converted into a warehouse.
329
00:28:19,782 --> 00:28:25,302
James: And so it is that
getting close to 200 of
these ships are converted,
330
00:28:25,404 --> 00:28:29,239
Temporarily or permanently,
into floating buildings.
331
00:28:30,676 --> 00:28:35,512
Narrator: Landfill is dumped
into the shallow waters of
the cove and the city grows.
332
00:28:36,315 --> 00:28:41,769
Soon, it extends around
the beached ships, far out
into san francisco bay.
333
00:28:42,738 --> 00:28:44,037
Richard: There's
construction everywhere.
334
00:28:44,140 --> 00:28:46,140
On the piers. On land.
335
00:28:46,242 --> 00:28:50,077
You can hear the sounds of
the city are just a cacophony
of construction sounds.
336
00:28:50,613 --> 00:28:53,614
That began at dawn and
went into the night.
337
00:28:55,735 --> 00:28:59,636
Narrator: What was
once sea, is now the
streets and sidewalks
338
00:28:59,739 --> 00:29:02,940
Of san francisco's
financial district.
339
00:29:11,517 --> 00:29:13,467
Deborah: There could be
as many as 100 vessels
340
00:29:13,569 --> 00:29:16,103
Buried under the streets
of san francisco.
341
00:29:16,672 --> 00:29:21,074
Only a small number of those
have been found but as new
buildings are built and new
342
00:29:21,177 --> 00:29:25,145
Excavations are done,
it's likely that we're
gonna find more of those.
343
00:29:28,467 --> 00:29:31,902
James: That's why we
refer to san francisco's
financial district
344
00:29:32,004 --> 00:29:35,105
As a gold rush pompeii.
345
00:29:40,513 --> 00:29:43,747
Narrator: Niantic holds
one last surprise.
346
00:29:44,483 --> 00:29:48,836
Found in the wreck is
evidence of san francisco's
burgeoning wealth.
347
00:29:51,340 --> 00:29:53,474
James: Jacquesson
and fils from reims.
348
00:29:53,576 --> 00:29:56,276
A real small vineyard then.
349
00:29:56,378 --> 00:29:58,445
Still a pretty
expensive champagne.
350
00:29:58,547 --> 00:29:59,646
They continue to make it.
351
00:29:59,748 --> 00:30:01,615
Woman: Oh, how cool.
352
00:30:03,536 --> 00:30:07,404
Narrator: San francisco
isn't the only part of
california that's booming.
353
00:30:08,741 --> 00:30:15,112
120 miles away, near the gold
fields of the sierra nevada
other towns are growing fast.
354
00:30:20,069 --> 00:30:24,705
What can these strange
timbers at the bottom
of the sacramento river
355
00:30:24,807 --> 00:30:28,442
Tell us of the dark
side of the gold rush?
356
00:30:37,970 --> 00:30:42,239
Narrator: Sacramento.
State capital of california.
357
00:30:45,110 --> 00:30:49,179
Through the city flows the
400 mile sacramento river.
358
00:30:51,317 --> 00:30:55,402
In 1849, it's the vital
artery of the gold rush.
359
00:30:59,408 --> 00:31:01,775
After landing in san francisco,
360
00:31:01,877 --> 00:31:05,345
The 49ers continue their journey
to the gold fields inland
361
00:31:05,447 --> 00:31:08,348
By sailing along the river.
362
00:31:19,378 --> 00:31:23,046
Archaeologists discover a
wreck on the river bed here.
363
00:31:24,149 --> 00:31:27,200
Right in the heart
of the modern city.
364
00:31:28,737 --> 00:31:32,639
James: And in those dives,
what we found in the murkiness
of the sacramento river,
365
00:31:33,075 --> 00:31:38,211
Was a portion of the hull
that broken at its back,
or it's keel, lying there,
366
00:31:38,314 --> 00:31:43,133
But with the whole form or
the body of the hull itself
still there for us to see.
367
00:31:44,837 --> 00:31:47,671
Narrator: Historical research
comes up with a name.
368
00:31:47,773 --> 00:31:49,573
Lagrange.
369
00:31:49,675 --> 00:31:53,677
A ship known to have
carried prospectors
to the city in 1849.
370
00:31:57,549 --> 00:32:01,768
Today, archaeologists
return to the river
hoping to learn more.
371
00:32:02,304 --> 00:32:04,338
But it's a challenge.
372
00:32:05,674 --> 00:32:08,575
Foster: The sacramento river,
it's always carrying silt,
373
00:32:08,677 --> 00:32:10,811
Because it runs down the valley.
374
00:32:10,913 --> 00:32:15,999
So to look for gold
rush ships, we need to use a
sonar that sees through that
375
00:32:16,101 --> 00:32:19,970
Sediment to see the bones
of a gold rush vessel.
376
00:32:21,807 --> 00:32:25,409
Yeah, so it's 1.6 aft,
and it's 0.5 starboard.
377
00:32:33,135 --> 00:32:36,069
Narrator: Based on the sonar
data from the latest survey,
378
00:32:36,171 --> 00:32:39,606
We can start to drain the
water from the river.
379
00:32:43,979 --> 00:32:47,481
To reveal a gold rush wreck.
380
00:32:52,171 --> 00:32:55,939
The partial remains of a
ship's hull clearly visible.
381
00:33:05,117 --> 00:33:10,270
Exploring deeper inside,
reveals something surprising:
382
00:33:11,640 --> 00:33:14,408
Metal ring bolts.
383
00:33:16,445 --> 00:33:20,681
Like those used to restrain
captives on a slave ship.
384
00:33:21,283 --> 00:33:24,468
But what would be their
purpose in the gold rush?
385
00:33:25,537 --> 00:33:28,638
California is never
a slave state.
386
00:33:28,741 --> 00:33:32,609
So the reason for the ring
bolts remains unclear.
387
00:33:34,179 --> 00:33:37,948
To understand more, the team
delves into lagrange's past.
388
00:33:39,668 --> 00:33:42,035
Man: Okay go ahead.
More out that way.
389
00:33:42,137 --> 00:33:43,437
Woman: You see this
thing right here?
390
00:33:43,555 --> 00:33:46,306
Man: Yeah. In line.
Turn the fish off.
391
00:33:46,408 --> 00:33:49,209
Narrator: They discover
she's a sea going barque.
392
00:33:49,311 --> 00:33:52,512
First used to take cargo
between new york and savannah.
393
00:33:53,282 --> 00:33:58,935
Then, to cash in on gold
fever, she's converted to
carry 63 fortune seekers.
394
00:34:01,407 --> 00:34:05,475
In early 1849, she sails from
salem, massachusetts,
395
00:34:05,577 --> 00:34:09,012
Arriving in san francisco
seven months later.
396
00:34:10,582 --> 00:34:13,533
Then she continues up
the sacramento river,
397
00:34:13,635 --> 00:34:16,403
Before docking along
the water front.
398
00:34:17,639 --> 00:34:21,708
From here, her
passengers travel on to
the gold fields on foot.
399
00:34:21,810 --> 00:34:23,910
Man: Follow the
shoreline here.
400
00:34:27,583 --> 00:34:30,367
Narrator: But a ship taking
prospectors to the gold fields
401
00:34:30,469 --> 00:34:33,403
Wouldn't need
restraining bolts.
402
00:34:33,505 --> 00:34:36,173
So, what are they for?
403
00:34:37,709 --> 00:34:41,445
Local archives reveal
she spends the last
ten years of her life
404
00:34:41,547 --> 00:34:44,681
Simply moored on
the river bank.
405
00:34:45,484 --> 00:34:48,735
Did her crew desert to j?
406
00:34:48,837 --> 00:34:51,772
Or is there another
explanation?
407
00:34:56,478 --> 00:35:00,647
Gold rush california is a
dangerous and violent place.
408
00:35:02,017 --> 00:35:04,901
Deborah: You had people
coming from all over the
world trying to strike it
409
00:35:05,003 --> 00:35:09,306
Rich and that caused
tension because you had
people getting in brawls,
410
00:35:09,408 --> 00:35:12,642
People pulling knifes,
people pulling guns.
411
00:35:13,745 --> 00:35:18,782
Narrator: Along with
theft, assault and murder,
there's ethnic tension too.
412
00:35:19,701 --> 00:35:22,669
James: So you have
the american mobs
assaulting chileans.
413
00:35:22,771 --> 00:35:27,541
Other hispanics sent chinese
as well as native indians to
clear the land or to send a
414
00:35:27,643 --> 00:35:30,277
Message that
you're not welcome.
415
00:35:31,780 --> 00:35:34,548
Narrator: Sacramento
needs a solution.
416
00:35:34,650 --> 00:35:40,203
And so lagrange is converted
from a sailing ship to
become a floating jail house.
417
00:35:41,573 --> 00:35:44,074
James: It's out of town.
418
00:35:44,176 --> 00:35:46,042
It's on the river.
419
00:35:46,145 --> 00:35:48,678
It is controlled
and self-contained.
420
00:35:48,780 --> 00:35:52,966
And so, it serves
a perfect purpose
421
00:35:53,068 --> 00:35:56,469
As not only a place in
which you can incarcerate,
422
00:35:56,572 --> 00:36:00,473
But one which you can completely
control and keep inaccessible.
423
00:36:03,679 --> 00:36:06,313
Narrator: Today, the
prison ship, lagrange,
424
00:36:06,415 --> 00:36:09,866
Lies beneath layers of
silt on the river bed.
425
00:36:10,302 --> 00:36:15,505
And the reason she sinks,
casts light on another dark
chapter of the gold rush.
426
00:36:18,076 --> 00:36:20,443
James: One of the biggest
fears of every gold seeker
427
00:36:20,546 --> 00:36:23,263
Is that everybody else
gets to it first.
428
00:36:25,667 --> 00:36:27,767
Narrator: Prospectors
take extreme measures
429
00:36:27,870 --> 00:36:30,303
To get their hands on
whatever gold is left.
430
00:36:31,473 --> 00:36:35,108
Blasting river beds and
cliff faces with high
pressure water cannons,
431
00:36:35,210 --> 00:36:37,844
To expose hidden seams.
432
00:36:37,946 --> 00:36:40,347
James: The california
landscape in the gold fields
433
00:36:40,449 --> 00:36:43,166
Is dramatically changed forever.
434
00:36:43,268 --> 00:36:47,637
Entire hillsides are
washed free of mud and of
anything growing on them,
435
00:36:47,739 --> 00:36:49,706
Leaving only barren rock.
436
00:36:50,576 --> 00:36:54,144
Narrator: The mud and uprooted
trees flow downstream.
437
00:36:54,246 --> 00:36:57,547
The sacramento becomes ever
more clogged with silt.
438
00:36:57,649 --> 00:37:01,434
Over time, it becomes
more prone to flooding.
439
00:37:04,106 --> 00:37:08,842
When a huge storm
hits the city, la grange is
threatened by rising water.
440
00:37:12,814 --> 00:37:15,482
The guards and prisoners
manage to escape.
441
00:37:19,438 --> 00:37:23,440
But she sinks to the
bottom of the river.
442
00:37:23,542 --> 00:37:29,546
Where today, she still
lies, as a reminder
that the lust for gold
443
00:37:30,482 --> 00:37:35,101
Led many 49ers not to
a fortune, but disgrace.
444
00:37:39,608 --> 00:37:43,710
In california, everything
comes back to the gold rush.
445
00:37:46,281 --> 00:37:50,166
Many immigrants stay on,
building the great cities of
446
00:37:50,269 --> 00:37:54,571
San francisco,
sacramento and stockton.
447
00:37:57,709 --> 00:38:01,411
But others can't get
out quick enough.
448
00:38:04,883 --> 00:38:07,434
Off the coast of
southern california,
449
00:38:07,536 --> 00:38:10,837
Can the wreck of another
great gold rush ship explain
450
00:38:10,939 --> 00:38:14,808
How even those who
managed to get rich,
451
00:38:14,910 --> 00:38:18,478
Are always one false
step from disaster?
452
00:38:27,973 --> 00:38:33,009
Narrator: Gold isn't just
transforming california,
by the early 1850s,
453
00:38:33,111 --> 00:38:36,446
Some of those who struck pay
dirt are returning home.
454
00:38:38,317 --> 00:38:44,671
To towns and cities back
east, to europe, to china.
455
00:38:46,375 --> 00:38:50,694
Gold helps kick start the
economy of the entire world.
456
00:38:52,748 --> 00:38:57,400
But those leaving the
golden state, put themselves
in a new kind of peril.
457
00:39:03,308 --> 00:39:09,379
On December 1st 1853,
the steamship winfield scott
leaves san francisco for
458
00:39:09,481 --> 00:39:13,733
Panama, carrying 450
passengers, and gold,
459
00:39:14,302 --> 00:39:16,936
Today worth over $30 million.
460
00:39:17,973 --> 00:39:19,405
Deborah: It was
a normal journey,
461
00:39:19,474 --> 00:39:21,841
One that steam ships had done
many, many times before.
462
00:39:24,146 --> 00:39:27,080
Narrator: The winfield scott
is an ocean-going steamer,
463
00:39:27,182 --> 00:39:29,966
Whose builders declare no
expense has been spared
464
00:39:30,068 --> 00:39:33,269
To achieve strength,
safety and speed.
465
00:39:34,106 --> 00:39:37,807
She even has first
class cabins for those
who struck it rich.
466
00:39:39,077 --> 00:39:40,410
Robert: These
ships are amazing.
467
00:39:40,512 --> 00:39:43,847
Yeah, they were built
staunchly with white live oak.
468
00:39:44,816 --> 00:39:50,737
They had four decks
and the machinery on these
were just state of the art.
469
00:39:51,673 --> 00:39:54,841
Narrator: She has sailed this
route eight times before.
470
00:39:54,943 --> 00:39:58,211
But this time she
never reaches panama.
471
00:40:05,737 --> 00:40:09,539
The research vessel,
shearwater, is heading
towards the channel islands,
472
00:40:09,641 --> 00:40:12,542
A few miles off the coast
of southern california.
473
00:40:13,645 --> 00:40:17,614
She's carrying a
team of archaeologists,
plus experts from noaa,
474
00:40:17,716 --> 00:40:22,068
America's scientific agnecy
that monitors climate and seas.
475
00:40:23,605 --> 00:40:28,274
They want to learn
more about the final fateful
voyage of the winfield scott.
476
00:40:31,113 --> 00:40:35,181
The channel islands
are home to a protected
national marine sanctuary,
477
00:40:35,283 --> 00:40:40,703
But dd marx, an archaeologist
with search incorporated, and
her colleague,
478
00:40:40,806 --> 00:40:44,541
Noaa official, bob schwemmer,
regularly dive the wreck.
479
00:40:45,911 --> 00:40:47,677
Deborah: You never know
what you're gonna encounter.
480
00:40:47,779 --> 00:40:51,448
The wind and the waves
and the seasons uncover
things and recover things.
481
00:40:52,184 --> 00:40:54,934
So you might find new
features of the hull you
hadn't found before,
482
00:40:55,036 --> 00:40:57,070
As well as new artefacts.
483
00:41:00,275 --> 00:41:04,744
Narrator: In these waters
the sands continually shift.
484
00:41:07,415 --> 00:41:11,367
So every expedition
is a new adventure.
485
00:41:13,505 --> 00:41:17,273
These remains of the winfield
scott lie in shallow water.
486
00:41:20,645 --> 00:41:23,580
Her wooden hull
has rotted away.
487
00:41:23,682 --> 00:41:27,267
Her metal parts covered with
decades of marine growth.
488
00:41:32,941 --> 00:41:36,776
To see her in detail, and
understand what happened here,
489
00:41:36,878 --> 00:41:41,681
We can combine 3d scanning data
with visualization software,
490
00:41:42,567 --> 00:41:45,602
And pull the plug on
the pacific ocean.
491
00:41:55,146 --> 00:41:59,465
Slowly, the remains of
the winfield scott appear.
492
00:42:00,835 --> 00:42:05,438
Hidden from view since
she set out laden with
the gold of california.
493
00:42:07,108 --> 00:42:11,945
Two paddle wheels lie exposed
and a handful of metal parts.
494
00:42:14,950 --> 00:42:20,803
But the most significant
thing about the wreck isn't
what it is, but where it is.
495
00:42:24,643 --> 00:42:30,280
The drained landscape of the
channel islands reveals the
winfield scott is not alone.
496
00:42:31,816 --> 00:42:35,735
Scattered across the
seabed, lie dozens
of other shipwrecks.
497
00:42:37,239 --> 00:42:40,006
These waters are
clearly dangerous.
498
00:42:40,108 --> 00:42:43,142
So why was she here?
499
00:42:46,481 --> 00:42:50,900
In the mid 19th century,
most ships give the channel
islands a wide berth,
500
00:42:51,002 --> 00:42:54,938
Sailing past them and
onto central america.
501
00:42:56,141 --> 00:43:01,411
But in local archives,
researchers discover evidence
that the winfield scott
502
00:43:01,513 --> 00:43:04,747
Decides to take a
calculated risk.
503
00:43:05,116 --> 00:43:08,134
Robert: We're very
fortunate with the diaries
from some of the passengers
504
00:43:08,236 --> 00:43:10,770
That were on board
the winfield scott.
505
00:43:11,773 --> 00:43:14,474
The captain, simon blunt,
has studied the area for
506
00:43:14,576 --> 00:43:17,644
The us costal survey
a few years before.
507
00:43:17,746 --> 00:43:22,248
Narrator: And he's sure he
knows a safe route directly
through the islands.
508
00:43:24,769 --> 00:43:27,036
Robert: Captain simon blunt
felt pretty confident about
509
00:43:27,138 --> 00:43:29,172
Coming through the
santa barbara channel
510
00:43:29,257 --> 00:43:31,941
Because it cut 100
miles off his course
511
00:43:32,043 --> 00:43:35,211
And of course getting
to panama first,
512
00:43:35,313 --> 00:43:38,848
Or panama to san francisco,
you got bragging rights.
513
00:43:40,302 --> 00:43:42,235
Narrator: It's not
just bragging rights.
514
00:43:42,337 --> 00:43:44,904
It's cold hard cash.
515
00:43:45,407 --> 00:43:48,274
Competition is fierce
between rival shipping lines,
516
00:43:48,376 --> 00:43:50,643
All vying for a
slice of the action
517
00:43:50,745 --> 00:43:53,079
On this most lucrative run.
518
00:43:53,181 --> 00:43:57,266
Deborah: The winfield scott's
owners were very keen on
getting there quicker,
519
00:43:57,369 --> 00:43:59,836
That means they could turn
around and make a return trip,
520
00:43:59,938 --> 00:44:02,405
Hence more money
in their pockets.
521
00:44:05,310 --> 00:44:08,444
Narrator: On the night
of December 1st 1853,
522
00:44:08,546 --> 00:44:11,014
The islands are
shrouded in dense fog.
523
00:44:11,549 --> 00:44:14,167
But captain blunt
isn't worried.
524
00:44:15,837 --> 00:44:20,006
Robert: He was actually asked,
in the wheelhouse, about,
525
00:44:20,108 --> 00:44:25,545
"do you wanna slow down, it's
kind of getting you know foggy,
and a bit dirty out there."
526
00:44:26,514 --> 00:44:29,248
And he's like,
"no, let her rip."
527
00:44:29,367 --> 00:44:31,434
Of course he did.
528
00:44:32,771 --> 00:44:35,938
11 knots right into
california real estate.
529
00:44:43,281 --> 00:44:47,200
Narrator: The ship smashes
into the rocky coast
line of anacapa island.
530
00:44:53,875 --> 00:44:55,575
James: Water begins coming in.
531
00:44:55,677 --> 00:44:58,044
You're standing there
on a moment on a deck
that is heaving,
532
00:44:58,146 --> 00:45:00,046
With timbers cracking
and moaning.
533
00:45:00,215 --> 00:45:04,233
With steam hissing
out of pipes, as cold
sea water pours in.
534
00:45:04,936 --> 00:45:08,171
With the hull ripping
and tearing on rocks.
535
00:45:11,659 --> 00:45:15,745
Narrator: All the
passengers scramble onto
this windswept shore.
536
00:45:17,315 --> 00:45:20,533
The ship's cargo of
gold is salvaged.
537
00:45:21,336 --> 00:45:26,339
But some of those carrying the
precious ore in their personal
luggage aren't so lucky.
538
00:45:28,009 --> 00:45:32,378
Passengers who've risked
everything to achieve
their gold rush dream,
539
00:45:32,480 --> 00:45:35,715
See it lost on the sea floor.
540
00:45:39,104 --> 00:45:42,705
James: To have that
voyage end in shipwreck
had to be heart breaking,
541
00:45:42,807 --> 00:45:44,974
Because they would
have lost everything.
542
00:45:45,076 --> 00:45:48,211
All that effort. All
that work. All gone.
543
00:45:58,673 --> 00:45:59,839
Robert: Great job.
544
00:45:59,941 --> 00:46:01,107
Deborah: That's really good.
545
00:46:01,209 --> 00:46:03,042
It looks so cool.
546
00:46:05,180 --> 00:46:08,681
Narrator: Today the wreck
of the winfield scott still
speaks loudly of the huge
547
00:46:08,783 --> 00:46:11,968
Wealth generated in
the gold rush era.
548
00:46:15,173 --> 00:46:17,273
Deborah: So within a
span of five years,
549
00:46:17,375 --> 00:46:19,876
From san francisco
being a tent city,
550
00:46:19,978 --> 00:46:22,979
In the blink of an eye really,
you had a bustling city,
551
00:46:23,081 --> 00:46:25,348
And you had steam ships
like the winfield scott
552
00:46:25,450 --> 00:46:28,000
That were able to have
passengers that could afford
553
00:46:28,102 --> 00:46:30,570
A first class state room
on their way home.
554
00:46:31,339 --> 00:46:36,175
Narrator: By the end of the
1850s, just a decade after
the first discovery,
555
00:46:36,277 --> 00:46:41,147
$187 billion worth of
gold in today's money,
556
00:46:41,249 --> 00:46:44,400
Is pulled from the
mountains of california.
557
00:46:45,103 --> 00:46:47,470
An extraordinary
decade of adventure,
558
00:46:47,572 --> 00:46:51,607
Endeavour and
sometimes heartbreak,
559
00:46:54,245 --> 00:46:57,647
That utterly transforms america.
560
00:46:59,117 --> 00:47:03,503
California becomes the
31st state of the union.
561
00:47:04,405 --> 00:47:09,208
A booming economy that's soon
home to 400,000 settlers.
562
00:47:11,779 --> 00:47:16,048
The gold rush opens
up the american west,
and in so doing,
563
00:47:16,150 --> 00:47:19,068
Creates the modern
united states.
564
00:47:19,170 --> 00:47:20,369
Captioned by cotter
captioning services.