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*
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Narrator: five strange,
Circular structures
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Mysteriously deserted...
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Gough: everything is curved.
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There's no place where
You can go and not be seen.
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*
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Narrator:
...An abandoned wall of concrete
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Perilously wedged
Between mountains...
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Something so impressive
In the landscape
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To be built
Is a real engineering feat.
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Narrator:
...And an american escape route
From nuclear armageddon.
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Dickrell: you can envision
Terrorized people
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Trying to avoid
A nuclear explosion
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In a large metropolitan area.
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*
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Narrator: once, they were some
Of the most advanced structures
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And facilities on the planet,
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At the cutting edge
Of design and construction.
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Today, they stand abandoned,
Contaminated,
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And sometimes deadly.
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But who built them?
And how?
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And why were they abandoned?
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And why were they abandoned?
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-- captions by vitac --
Www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
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*
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*
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On the cuban island
Of isla de la juventud
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Sprawls a group
Of peculiar structures.
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*
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*
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Laid out like
Five spots on a die,
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These circular giants
Are 174 feet in diameter
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And tower over a 4-million
Square-feet open plain.
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*
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If you were flying over
The island and you looked down
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And saw these five
Yellow, circular buildings,
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You would think, "What, is this
Some sort of industrial beehive?
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Is it a power plant?
No, it's not really shaped
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Like a conventional power plant.
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Like a conventional power plant.
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What is it?"
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Narrator:
The four outer buildings,
Each 98-feet high,
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Consist of six levels,
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Yet inside,
There are no floors --
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Only a colossal empty space.
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Light pierces
The dank, grim interior
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Through 465
Rectangular openings.
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00:02:24,067 --> 00:02:28,300
Had a pretty sinister reputation
Amongst local residents.
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And the conditions inside
Were just atrocious.
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And the conditions inside
Were just atrocious.
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Narrator:
The most bizarre feature
Is a short lighthouse-like tower
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Standing in the center
Of each building.
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When you walk inside, you're
Instantly struck by the fact
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That there are
No straight corridors.
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Everything is curved.
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You are constantly in view
From somewhere else.
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There's no place where
You can go and not be seen,
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And that was all by design.
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Narrator:
What happened on this remote
Island in these odd structures,
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Narrator:
What happened on this remote
Island in these odd structures,
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And why was this site abandoned?
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*
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In the 1920s, cuba experiences
A period of economic development
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Against a backdrop
Of political corruption.
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Cuban president gerardo machado
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Is determined to stay in power
At all costs,
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But to do this, he must
Maintain ultimate control
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Over his political opponents,
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Not only physically
But also psychologically.
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Not only physically
But also psychologically.
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The solution for
This dictator's total domination
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Is the incredible island complex
Presidio modelo,
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Cuba's "Model prison."
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Gough:
It was created and conceived
By a cuban dictator
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00:03:46,467 --> 00:03:51,800
Who drew upon
An 18th-century social reformer
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Who's whole ethos
Was that behavior
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Could be modified
Via surveillance.
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Narrator:
Though originally intended as a
Tool to rehabilitate prisoners,
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Narrator:
Though originally intended as a
Tool to rehabilitate prisoners,
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Surveillance here comes
In the form
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Of an oppressive
Observation tower
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At the center of the structure,
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Which is key
To the building's design.
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You have a central
Observation tower,
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And then you have
A circular structure
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That surrounds that tower, which
Is where all the cells are,
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And the idea is that all
The prisoners in their cells
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Are not really sure whether
The guards are looking at them
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Or looking at
Their neighbor downstairs,
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And so they have to be on their
Best behavior all the time.
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And so they have to be on their
Best behavior all the time.
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That design inside the prison
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Certainly feels
Quite menacing to me.
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That central tower
With guards who, theoretically,
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Then can be observing
What's going on
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In all of those prison cells
At any time --
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I mean, it certainly
Feels quite big brother,
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Something you might have read
In george orwell's "1984."
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Narrator: construction begins
In 1926 using inmate labor.
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As they complete each building,
It is populated.
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And these structures
Are not just designed
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And these structures
Are not just designed
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To create paranoia
Amongst the prisoners,
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They also have an unexpected
Engineering benefit.
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00:05:07,733 --> 00:05:10,767
This philosophy of prisoner
Observation actually led
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00:05:10,767 --> 00:05:13,767
To a very interesting
Structural advantage,
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00:05:13,767 --> 00:05:17,333
And this advantage is the fact
That having a circular wall
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Going all the way around meant
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That there was an inherent
Stiffness in the structure
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That meant you don't need
To put intermediate floors in
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To keep the structure stable.
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Narrator:
By the 1930s, presidio modelo
Is fully operational.
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Narrator:
By the 1930s, presidio modelo
Is fully operational.
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Each building contains 465 cells
That house two inmates,
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All of which face inwards
Towards the central guard tower.
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It has a total capacity
Of over 3,000 inmates.
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But most incredibly,
There are no cell doors.
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The architecture itself
Affects, shapes,
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And enforces the behavior
Of those in prison.
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Translator:
The tower was to control
The prisoners inside.
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Translator:
The tower was to control
The prisoners inside.
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00:06:01,500 --> 00:06:04,267
If there were any discussions,
We'd say,
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00:06:04,267 --> 00:06:07,333
"Hey, there! Shh! Watch it!"
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And they would.
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The tower was to maintain order.
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Narrator:
Unseen by the prisoners,
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Who never know if and when
They are being watched,
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The guards enter
The observation tower
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00:06:19,867 --> 00:06:23,667
Through a 98-feet-long
Underground tunnel.
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Hidden from view,
The guards keep an eye
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On the prisoners
Through narrow slits
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In the top of the tower.
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In the top of the tower.
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You're constantly being watched,
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Not only by the prison guards
From the central tower,
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But other prisoners whose cell
Is only a few feet from yours.
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There's no privacy whatsoever,
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And it must have generated
A whole lot of paranoia.
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Narrator: the large open space
Within each building
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Makes surveillance easy,
And the result is
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That the inmates increasingly
Police themselves.
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Even at meal times within
The shorter central structure,
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There is no respite from
The watchful eye of the guards.
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There is no respite from
The watchful eye of the guards.
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00:07:03,067 --> 00:07:04,233
You would think
That leaving your cell
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Where you're constantly
Under surveillance
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And going for a meal
Would be a nice experience
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Of chatting with
Your fellow cellmates.
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Not at all. You went
To a building that was called
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00:07:15,967 --> 00:07:18,800
"The hall
Of the 3,000 silences,"
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00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:22,633
And it was aptly named because
You weren't allowed to speak.
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Imagine how oppressive
That would be --
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You're being watched
All day in your cell,
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And now you're having a meal
And you can't even speak.
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*
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*
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Narrator: ironically,
Its cutting-edge design
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Originally conceived
To rehabilitate convicts
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Earns presidio modelo
A reputation for horror.
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And the prisoner relies
On more than watchful guards
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To keep its inmates
Under control.
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There are all sorts
Of legends about the prison,
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Including the fact that there
Were crocodiles in the ponds
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And lakes on the perimeter
Of the prison itself.
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Translator:
When this was built, there
Were crocodiles living there,
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Translator:
When this was built, there
Were crocodiles living there,
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And the prisoner who escaped,
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If he didn't get caught running,
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He would be taken by them
When he got there.
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No freedom -- that was it.
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*
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Narrator: but will
The architecture of paranoia
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At presidio modelo be enough
To keep the prisoners in line
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And maintain
A dictatorial grip on power?
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And why was
The prison abandoned?
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*
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Narrator: off the cuban coast
On isla de la juventud
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Sprawls cuba's abandoned
"Model prison," presidio modelo.
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After multiple regime changes,
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Its terrifying approach to
Imprisonment works for 27 years.
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But then, in 1953,
Its most notorious inmate
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Enters its doors.
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Enters its doors.
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The communist revolutionary
Fidel castro
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Serves two years here
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For attempting to overthrow
The ruthless dictator
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Fulgencio batista.
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Seeing the psychological success
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00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:13,433
Of the jail's effective design
Firsthand,
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Castro realizes
The potential power of paranoia
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When he overthrows batista
In 1959
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To become president of cuba.
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*
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When he comes into power,
He doesn't, you know,
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Destroy the place.
He doesn't knock it down.
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00:09:28,908 --> 00:09:29,000
Destroy the place.
He doesn't knock it down.
198
00:09:30,233 --> 00:09:33,500
No, he sends
His political opponents there.
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I think that's quite rich.
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Narrator: for eight years,
Castro uses presidio modelo
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To bury his enemies.
202
00:09:41,433 --> 00:09:44,433
But his political prisoners
Begin to put up resistance
203
00:09:44,433 --> 00:09:48,067
And pose serious security
And political risks.
204
00:09:48,067 --> 00:09:50,500
There is a dramatic plan
To get rid of the prison
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Using the underground
Guard tunnels.
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00:09:54,500 --> 00:09:58,333
There was actually a plan
To blow up these structures
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Using that tunnel by actually
Packing it in with explosives.
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00:09:58,908 --> 00:09:59,000
Using that tunnel by actually
Packing it in with explosives.
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00:10:02,267 --> 00:10:04,433
And thinking about
The sheer size
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00:10:04,433 --> 00:10:06,200
And scale of these structures,
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00:10:06,200 --> 00:10:08,500
The fact that they had
This inherent stiffness
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00:10:08,500 --> 00:10:09,800
Because of its shape,
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00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,000
I think it would have
Been quite difficult
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00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,400
To actually bring
That structure down.
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00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:19,100
Narrator:
Dynamite may not be able
To destroy presidio modelo,
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00:10:19,100 --> 00:10:21,167
But castro does.
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00:10:21,167 --> 00:10:24,667
The prison has a capacity
For 3,000 inmates,
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00:10:24,667 --> 00:10:27,533
But he packs it
With double that number.
219
00:10:27,533 --> 00:10:28,908
Bell: something that was
Originally designed to house
220
00:10:28,908 --> 00:10:29,000
Bell: something that was
Originally designed to house
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00:10:29,300 --> 00:10:30,867
Up to 3,000 prisoners
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00:10:30,867 --> 00:10:36,267
Was now housing anything
From 6,000 to 8,000 prisoners.
223
00:10:36,267 --> 00:10:41,100
Riots were commonplace,
Fights, unsanitary conditions,
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00:10:41,100 --> 00:10:43,533
And the place was just hellish.
225
00:10:43,533 --> 00:10:46,767
Narrator: the measure
Of over population backfires,
226
00:10:46,767 --> 00:10:50,033
Encouraging further resistance
From the inmates,
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00:10:50,033 --> 00:10:53,667
Eventually leading
To the prison's demise.
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00:10:53,667 --> 00:10:57,767
Cramped, dirty, and overcrowded,
Cuba's model prison
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00:10:57,767 --> 00:10:58,908
Is forced to close its doors
For good in 1967,
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00:10:58,908 --> 00:10:59,000
Is forced to close its doors
For good in 1967,
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00:11:01,867 --> 00:11:05,500
And castro's enemies are
Dispersed to other prisons.
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00:11:05,500 --> 00:11:06,800
It just stops to function,
233
00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,300
And it's a little bit
Dilapidated anyway,
234
00:11:09,300 --> 00:11:12,233
But the political climate
Had changed,
235
00:11:12,233 --> 00:11:15,300
And it no longer
Had a purpose to serve.
236
00:11:15,300 --> 00:11:18,133
Narrator: the unique design
And function of the prison
237
00:11:18,133 --> 00:11:21,867
Makes the buildings virtually
Impossible to be repurposed,
238
00:11:21,867 --> 00:11:25,300
And after 41 years
Of oppression and paranoia,
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00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:28,233
They are abandoned.
240
00:11:28,233 --> 00:11:28,908
Now the gigantic,
Circular cellblocks
241
00:11:28,908 --> 00:11:29,000
Now the gigantic,
Circular cellblocks
242
00:11:30,667 --> 00:11:31,900
Of the presidio modelo
243
00:11:31,900 --> 00:11:35,233
Are decaying shells
And stark reminders
244
00:11:35,233 --> 00:11:38,367
Of cuba's political turmoil.
245
00:11:38,367 --> 00:11:40,133
As symbols, they demonstrate
246
00:11:40,133 --> 00:11:42,633
The groundbreaking
Architectural design
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00:11:42,633 --> 00:11:44,700
Could not only
Shape human behavior,
248
00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:47,900
But also reveal
The limits of social reform
249
00:11:47,900 --> 00:11:50,933
And how easily it can backfire.
250
00:11:50,933 --> 00:11:52,700
Today, the prison is a museum,
251
00:11:52,700 --> 00:11:54,933
It's a school,
It's a research center,
252
00:11:54,933 --> 00:11:58,133
And that's about right
Because what it really was,
253
00:11:58,133 --> 00:11:58,908
Historically --
I think we look back at it
254
00:11:58,908 --> 00:11:59,000
Historically --
I think we look back at it
255
00:12:00,067 --> 00:12:03,767
As an innovative attempt
At social reform.
256
00:12:03,767 --> 00:12:06,067
It was all about surveillance,
257
00:12:06,067 --> 00:12:08,500
And actually it was
Quite ahead of its time.
258
00:12:08,500 --> 00:12:13,900
*
259
00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:18,133
Over 2,000 miles away
Across the gulf of mexico,
260
00:12:18,133 --> 00:12:21,867
A barren landscape
Hides an enigmatic enterprise
261
00:12:21,867 --> 00:12:23,700
Of forgotten engineering.
262
00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:26,433
*
263
00:12:26,433 --> 00:12:28,908
High above los angeles
Is a closed-off road
264
00:12:28,908 --> 00:12:29,000
High above los angeles
Is a closed-off road
265
00:12:29,067 --> 00:12:32,567
Winding 900-feet up
In the san gabriel mountains.
266
00:12:32,567 --> 00:12:36,300
It leads to a mysterious masonry
Arch over 20-feet high,
267
00:12:36,300 --> 00:12:38,067
Driven into its slopes.
268
00:12:38,067 --> 00:12:40,233
But what is this an entrance to?
269
00:12:40,233 --> 00:12:42,567
When you first see
These entrances
270
00:12:42,567 --> 00:12:44,533
Opening up on the sides
Of the mountain,
271
00:12:44,533 --> 00:12:48,233
You can't fathom
Why the effort was gone
272
00:12:48,233 --> 00:12:50,667
To build these huge,
Great, big tunnels.
273
00:12:50,667 --> 00:12:53,133
For me, you'd expect to see
Some kind of railway or a road
274
00:12:53,133 --> 00:12:55,100
Or something coming out of it,
But none of that's there.
275
00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:58,467
In fact, it becomes
Quite mysterious.
276
00:12:58,467 --> 00:12:58,908
Narrator:
The light at the end of the
Tunnel shows that this structure
277
00:12:58,908 --> 00:12:59,000
Narrator:
The light at the end of the
Tunnel shows that this structure
278
00:13:01,700 --> 00:13:05,700
Runs for 1,000 feet
Through the mountain.
279
00:13:05,700 --> 00:13:07,767
As you're standing there,
You appreciate
280
00:13:07,767 --> 00:13:11,633
What an impressive feat
Of engineering it is
281
00:13:11,633 --> 00:13:15,067
And how difficult
It would have been to have made.
282
00:13:15,067 --> 00:13:18,333
The interesting thing is
There's a lot more to this story
283
00:13:18,333 --> 00:13:21,300
Than meets the eye.
284
00:13:21,300 --> 00:13:23,733
Narrator: why did someone
Go to the trouble of building
285
00:13:23,733 --> 00:13:26,667
This immense structure
Through a mountain
286
00:13:26,667 --> 00:13:28,908
And why was it abandoned?
287
00:13:28,908 --> 00:13:29,000
And why was it abandoned?
288
00:13:30,333 --> 00:13:33,200
In the 1950s,
The threat of the cold war
289
00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:35,833
Looms over a paranoid america.
290
00:13:35,833 --> 00:13:38,067
The nation fears
Not only an invasion,
291
00:13:38,067 --> 00:13:42,500
But nuclear attack
From the soviet union.
292
00:13:42,500 --> 00:13:46,067
L.A.'s many aerospace facilities
And military bases
293
00:13:46,067 --> 00:13:49,800
Make the city a prime target.
294
00:13:49,800 --> 00:13:51,800
America's early warning systems
295
00:13:51,800 --> 00:13:56,267
Can recognize potential threats
Hours before impact.
296
00:13:56,267 --> 00:13:58,467
But in that small window
Of time,
297
00:13:58,467 --> 00:13:58,908
How can
The authorities save
298
00:13:58,908 --> 00:13:59,000
How can
The authorities save
299
00:14:00,133 --> 00:14:04,567
The then population
Of nearly 2 million?
300
00:14:04,567 --> 00:14:09,833
L.A. Authorities began to
Wonder, "How would we evacuate?"
301
00:14:09,833 --> 00:14:13,567
In the 1950s,
There might have been 20 minutes
302
00:14:13,567 --> 00:14:15,500
Or half-an-hour's warning
303
00:14:15,500 --> 00:14:18,333
Of an impending nuclear attack
On los angeles.
304
00:14:18,333 --> 00:14:21,667
Any evacuation
For the people of los angeles
305
00:14:21,667 --> 00:14:25,833
Had to be prepared in advance.
306
00:14:25,833 --> 00:14:28,500
man: in this trouble stageof the atomic age,
307
00:14:28,500 --> 00:14:28,908
our very lives may dependon always being alert.
308
00:14:28,908 --> 00:14:29,000
our very lives may dependon always being alert.
309
00:14:33,667 --> 00:14:35,667
Narrator: if the soviets
Strike los angeles
310
00:14:35,667 --> 00:14:37,133
With nuclear weapons,
311
00:14:37,133 --> 00:14:41,233
A credible escape plan needs
To be in place for its citizens.
312
00:14:41,233 --> 00:14:43,067
To get out of los angeles,
313
00:14:43,067 --> 00:14:44,467
You've got
To get through the hills
314
00:14:44,467 --> 00:14:46,533
And the mountains
And out the other side.
315
00:14:46,533 --> 00:14:50,300
That means either twisting
And turning through canyons
316
00:14:50,300 --> 00:14:53,100
Or tunneling right on through.
317
00:14:53,100 --> 00:14:56,833
Narrator: so, a 25-mile shortcut
Is devised
318
00:14:56,833 --> 00:14:58,908
That's designed to speed
The city's residents through
319
00:14:58,908 --> 00:14:59,000
That's designed to speed
The city's residents through
320
00:14:59,700 --> 00:15:02,733
The san gabriel mountains
Via multiple tunnels
321
00:15:02,733 --> 00:15:04,733
To safety of the mojave desert.
322
00:15:04,733 --> 00:15:06,667
*
323
00:15:06,667 --> 00:15:10,600
This path to safety
Is shoemaker canyon road,
324
00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:14,067
Better known
As "The armageddon highway."
325
00:15:14,067 --> 00:15:16,533
The armageddon highway
Would work in premise --
326
00:15:16,533 --> 00:15:18,733
The entire population
Of los angeles
327
00:15:18,733 --> 00:15:22,067
Would get in their cars
And exit away from the city
328
00:15:22,067 --> 00:15:25,533
And the eventual destruction
That was happening.
329
00:15:25,533 --> 00:15:28,633
Corum: this was part
Of the culture at the time,
330
00:15:28,633 --> 00:15:28,908
This fear that the other guy has
A technology and can strike us,
331
00:15:28,908 --> 00:15:29,000
This fear that the other guy has
A technology and can strike us,
332
00:15:34,067 --> 00:15:38,900
And we need to have some kind of
Way to protect ourselves.
333
00:15:38,900 --> 00:15:40,767
*
334
00:15:40,767 --> 00:15:43,867
Narrator:
Will shoemaker canyon road
Work as an escape route
335
00:15:43,867 --> 00:15:47,267
From nuclear fallout
In los angeles?
336
00:15:47,267 --> 00:15:50,333
And why was it abandoned?
337
00:15:51,533 --> 00:15:52,000
*
338
00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:58,300
Narrator: in the 1950s,
339
00:15:58,300 --> 00:16:01,700
Gripped by cold war paranoia
And desperation,
340
00:16:01,700 --> 00:16:03,067
Los angeles authorities
341
00:16:03,067 --> 00:16:06,567
Order the construction
Of shoemaker canyon road,
342
00:16:06,567 --> 00:16:09,167
With multiple tunnels
Driven through the solid rock
343
00:16:09,167 --> 00:16:12,133
Of the san gabriel mountains.
344
00:16:12,133 --> 00:16:15,400
Once complete, they're designed
To form a costly
345
00:16:15,400 --> 00:16:20,633
But potentially vital evacuation
Route high above the city.
346
00:16:20,633 --> 00:16:21,250
Given the cold war in 1950s --
347
00:16:21,250 --> 00:16:22,000
Given the cold war in 1950s --
348
00:16:22,833 --> 00:16:25,800
Everyone was afraid
Of nuclear war,
349
00:16:25,800 --> 00:16:27,067
And in that, the response --
350
00:16:27,067 --> 00:16:30,067
The government was to drill
A hole though a mountain
351
00:16:30,067 --> 00:16:32,100
Such that the population
Of los angeles
352
00:16:32,100 --> 00:16:36,233
Could escape
Given all-out nuclear war.
353
00:16:36,233 --> 00:16:42,167
One soviet nuclear weapon air
Bursted over los angeles
354
00:16:42,167 --> 00:16:45,367
Could kill more people
Than were killed
355
00:16:45,367 --> 00:16:50,600
In hiroshima, nagasaki combined.
356
00:16:50,600 --> 00:16:51,250
Narrator: but carving a road
Through a mountain of hard rock
357
00:16:51,250 --> 00:16:52,000
Narrator: but carving a road
Through a mountain of hard rock
358
00:16:53,333 --> 00:16:56,133
Is difficult
At the best of times.
359
00:16:56,133 --> 00:16:59,267
And in the volatile region
Of the san gabriel mountains --
360
00:16:59,267 --> 00:17:02,867
With severe heat in the summer
Avalanches in winter,
361
00:17:02,867 --> 00:17:05,233
And the continuous
Threat of landslides --
362
00:17:05,233 --> 00:17:08,567
The challenges are
All the more extreme.
363
00:17:08,567 --> 00:17:10,367
To hold up
In this harsh environment,
364
00:17:10,367 --> 00:17:13,767
Interlocking steel beams
And molded concrete
365
00:17:13,767 --> 00:17:16,500
Are needed to shore up
Critical stress points
366
00:17:16,500 --> 00:17:21,250
Of 1,000-foot-long tunnel
As construction starts in 1956.
367
00:17:21,250 --> 00:17:22,000
Of 1,000-foot-long tunnel
As construction starts in 1956.
368
00:17:22,267 --> 00:17:25,333
You would have thought that
A project of this importance
369
00:17:25,333 --> 00:17:28,167
Would have warranted
Professionals,
370
00:17:28,167 --> 00:17:31,300
But what they got instead
Was a chain gang.
371
00:17:31,300 --> 00:17:35,200
I mean, they literally asked
The inmates of nearby prisons
372
00:17:35,200 --> 00:17:37,967
To go up into the mountains,
Build the road.
373
00:17:37,967 --> 00:17:40,633
I mean, not only was their heart
Probably not into it,
374
00:17:40,633 --> 00:17:43,500
But they didn't have
The skill sets.
375
00:17:43,500 --> 00:17:45,600
Narrator: with unskilled workers
Struggling
376
00:17:45,600 --> 00:17:47,333
To cut through solid rock,
377
00:17:47,333 --> 00:17:51,250
The two-lane escape highway
Makes agonizingly slow progress.
378
00:17:51,250 --> 00:17:51,933
The two-lane escape highway
Makes agonizingly slow progress.
379
00:17:51,933 --> 00:17:52,000
This 1,000-feet tunnel
Takes five years
380
00:17:55,267 --> 00:17:58,467
And is only completed in 1961.
381
00:17:58,467 --> 00:17:59,900
Dickrell: to be inside of it,
382
00:17:59,900 --> 00:18:02,067
You can almost envision
Terrorized people
383
00:18:02,067 --> 00:18:04,533
Trying to avoid
A nuclear explosion
384
00:18:04,533 --> 00:18:06,500
In a large metropolitan area.
385
00:18:06,500 --> 00:18:07,967
Bell:
The fact that they were prepared
386
00:18:07,967 --> 00:18:09,767
To blast their way
Through these mountains
387
00:18:09,767 --> 00:18:14,433
Just shows that level of panic
And urgency that was felt
388
00:18:14,433 --> 00:18:19,867
To give the people of a major
U.S. City a means of escape
389
00:18:19,867 --> 00:18:21,250
And a means to get to safety.
390
00:18:21,250 --> 00:18:22,000
And a means to get to safety.
391
00:18:23,167 --> 00:18:25,867
Narrator: the route to salvation
Finally makes progress
392
00:18:25,867 --> 00:18:27,600
Through the mountains.
393
00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:32,400
But engineers realize there is a
Fundamental flaw in their plan.
394
00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:34,500
Predictably,
Progress on the road was slow,
395
00:18:34,500 --> 00:18:36,867
And that led
The l.A. Authorities to say,
396
00:18:36,867 --> 00:18:38,367
"Hang on, let's have a re-think.
397
00:18:38,367 --> 00:18:40,800
What we're really doing
Is creating a potential
398
00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:43,433
For a huge traffic jam
In the future.
399
00:18:43,433 --> 00:18:45,200
Do we really want to do that?
400
00:18:45,200 --> 00:18:49,833
It's gonna be world war iii just
Trying to get to that road."
401
00:18:49,833 --> 00:18:51,250
Dickrell: given los angeles's
Notoriously congested highways,
402
00:18:51,250 --> 00:18:52,000
Dickrell: given los angeles's
Notoriously congested highways,
403
00:18:53,467 --> 00:18:55,200
The premise that
The armageddon highway
404
00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:57,467
Would have been able
To safely transport
405
00:18:57,467 --> 00:19:00,533
The denizens
Of los angeles to safety
406
00:19:00,533 --> 00:19:02,467
Is basically ludicrous,
407
00:19:02,467 --> 00:19:04,733
Especially when viewed
From a modern perspective
408
00:19:04,733 --> 00:19:08,700
Of grid-locked
Los angeles highways.
409
00:19:08,700 --> 00:19:11,400
Narrator: and with the advent
Of faster intercontinental
410
00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,367
Ballistic missiles
Giving even less warning,
411
00:19:14,367 --> 00:19:19,233
Escape from soviet nuclear
Fallout becomes impossible.
412
00:19:19,233 --> 00:19:21,250
L.A.'s evacuation plans
Through shoemaker canyon
413
00:19:21,250 --> 00:19:22,000
L.A.'s evacuation plans
Through shoemaker canyon
414
00:19:22,633 --> 00:19:24,867
Are now useless.
415
00:19:24,867 --> 00:19:28,933
When you really think about it,
That given the warning time,
416
00:19:28,933 --> 00:19:30,900
Which is next to nil,
417
00:19:30,900 --> 00:19:35,667
It's basically impossible
To evacuate major urban areas.
418
00:19:35,667 --> 00:19:39,367
Now, I think by the late 1960s
They're thinking,
419
00:19:39,367 --> 00:19:43,467
"Well, this is just
A whopping waste of money.
420
00:19:43,467 --> 00:19:46,500
It's just not worth it."
421
00:19:46,500 --> 00:19:51,067
Narrator:
In 1969, 13 years after
The project commences,
422
00:19:51,067 --> 00:19:51,250
The los angeles authorities
Finally call time
423
00:19:51,250 --> 00:19:52,000
The los angeles authorities
Finally call time
424
00:19:54,067 --> 00:19:55,700
On the escape route.
425
00:19:55,700 --> 00:19:58,833
All that has been achieved
Of the 25-mile shortcut
426
00:19:58,833 --> 00:20:02,267
Through shoemaker canyon
Is a 4 1/2 mile road
427
00:20:02,267 --> 00:20:06,167
And two tunnels
That lead to nowhere.
428
00:20:06,167 --> 00:20:09,133
Today, the road and tunnel
Still stand on the slopes
429
00:20:09,133 --> 00:20:12,333
Of shoemaker canyon
But are rarely visited.
430
00:20:12,333 --> 00:20:15,767
They survive as a monument
To cold war paranoia,
431
00:20:15,767 --> 00:20:19,267
And the real dangers
Felt by the citizens of l.A.
432
00:20:19,267 --> 00:20:21,250
Half a century ago.
433
00:20:21,250 --> 00:20:21,900
Half a century ago.
434
00:20:21,900 --> 00:20:22,000
Today, the most striking remains
Of the road are its tunnels.
435
00:20:26,433 --> 00:20:29,033
And it makes you appreciate
The fact that this is
436
00:20:29,033 --> 00:20:33,100
What cold war paranoia
Forced us to do.
437
00:20:33,100 --> 00:20:37,100
*
438
00:20:37,100 --> 00:20:41,333
Narrator: over 6,000 across
The atlantic in northern italy,
439
00:20:41,333 --> 00:20:43,700
In the mountainous province
Of belluno
440
00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:45,667
Is an engineering wonder.
441
00:20:45,667 --> 00:20:51,033
*
442
00:20:51,033 --> 00:20:51,250
Towering above
The town of longarone,
443
00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:52,000
Towering above
The town of longarone,
444
00:20:54,033 --> 00:20:58,067
An 871-foot wall
Of concrete spans
445
00:20:58,067 --> 00:21:00,767
The tree-covered cliffs
On either side.
446
00:21:00,767 --> 00:21:02,900
*
447
00:21:02,900 --> 00:21:04,333
All of a sudden,
You'd come to an opening
448
00:21:04,333 --> 00:21:07,233
With this big concrete wall
In front of you.
449
00:21:07,233 --> 00:21:10,133
*
450
00:21:10,133 --> 00:21:16,200
It's an astonishingly impressive
Piece of engineering.
451
00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:17,733
Even by modern standards,
452
00:21:17,733 --> 00:21:20,700
It's still one
Of the highest in the world.
453
00:21:20,700 --> 00:21:21,250
*
454
00:21:21,250 --> 00:21:22,000
*
455
00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:26,567
Narrator:
627-feet wide at its summit,
456
00:21:26,567 --> 00:21:30,700
The structure narrows
To just 89 feet at its base,
457
00:21:30,700 --> 00:21:35,100
Which is an incredible
72-feet thick.
458
00:21:35,100 --> 00:21:40,567
Constructed using 1.3 billion
Cubic feet of concrete,
459
00:21:40,567 --> 00:21:44,467
This fortress holds back
Over 9 billion cubic feet
460
00:21:44,467 --> 00:21:47,267
Of sedimentary rock and debris.
461
00:21:47,267 --> 00:21:49,433
Standing at its base,
Gazing up at it,
462
00:21:49,433 --> 00:21:51,250
You would be overwhelmed
At its size.
463
00:21:51,250 --> 00:21:51,867
You would be overwhelmed
At its size.
464
00:21:51,867 --> 00:21:52,000
You would be dwarfed.
465
00:21:53,667 --> 00:21:57,067
Buy why did engineers
Build such a giant structure
466
00:21:57,067 --> 00:21:59,533
In such a difficult place?
467
00:21:59,533 --> 00:22:01,900
And why was it abandoned?
468
00:22:01,900 --> 00:22:04,267
*
469
00:22:04,267 --> 00:22:07,467
As post-war italy rises
From the ashes,
470
00:22:07,467 --> 00:22:09,900
A drive to boost
Its faltering economy
471
00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:12,933
Comes in the form
Of rapid industrialization,
472
00:22:12,933 --> 00:22:17,133
Which demands
A huge amount of power.
473
00:22:17,133 --> 00:22:19,633
In the 1950s when italy
Was just coming off
474
00:22:19,633 --> 00:22:21,250
The back of
The second world war,
475
00:22:21,250 --> 00:22:21,500
The back of
The second world war,
476
00:22:21,500 --> 00:22:22,000
Its economy was in
A state of devastation.
477
00:22:25,567 --> 00:22:28,367
Narrator: so, drawing on
Its natural resources,
478
00:22:28,367 --> 00:22:32,367
The country harnesses masses
Of water in the italian alps,
479
00:22:32,367 --> 00:22:36,700
Supplied by the rivers,
Snowmelt, and high rainfall.
480
00:22:36,700 --> 00:22:39,400
It's perfect
For hydroelectricity.
481
00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:41,600
*
482
00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:43,967
Jerram: hydroelectric power
Is incredibly attractive
483
00:22:43,967 --> 00:22:45,067
In a mountainous region,
484
00:22:45,067 --> 00:22:47,267
Because if you can
Have a tight valley,
485
00:22:47,267 --> 00:22:49,533
And you can trap water high up,
486
00:22:49,533 --> 00:22:51,250
You've suddenly got the ability
For that water to move downhill
487
00:22:51,250 --> 00:22:52,000
You've suddenly got the ability
For that water to move downhill
488
00:22:53,133 --> 00:22:57,100
Very quickly
And generate free electricity.
489
00:22:57,100 --> 00:22:59,533
Narrator: in the shadow
Of the mighty monte toc,
490
00:22:59,533 --> 00:23:03,067
Engineers identify the deep
And narrow vajont valley
491
00:23:03,067 --> 00:23:06,567
As the ideal location
To store huge amounts of water
492
00:23:06,567 --> 00:23:10,933
And use it as part
Of a vast hydroelectric plant.
493
00:23:10,933 --> 00:23:13,467
Jerram: the gorge itself was
A particularly attractive site
494
00:23:13,467 --> 00:23:16,300
Because of the sheer
Highness of the gorge,
495
00:23:16,300 --> 00:23:17,900
And the amount
Of the volume of water
496
00:23:17,900 --> 00:23:19,067
That you'll be able to get
497
00:23:19,067 --> 00:23:21,250
For such a small cutting off
Of the valley.
498
00:23:21,250 --> 00:23:21,933
For such a small cutting off
Of the valley.
499
00:23:21,933 --> 00:23:22,000
You can more or less
Throw a stone
500
00:23:23,367 --> 00:23:25,833
From one side to the other.
501
00:23:25,833 --> 00:23:28,767
Narrator: to kick-start
Italy's post-war economy,
502
00:23:28,767 --> 00:23:31,333
The engineers devise this --
503
00:23:31,333 --> 00:23:33,333
The vajont dam.
504
00:23:33,333 --> 00:23:38,467
*
505
00:23:38,467 --> 00:23:42,367
Dickrell:
A curved dam is a very classical
Way of structuring a dam,
506
00:23:42,367 --> 00:23:44,533
To make it strong and resist
507
00:23:44,533 --> 00:23:47,500
The fluid forces
Of the reservoir behind it.
508
00:23:47,500 --> 00:23:51,250
Narrator: it's designed to hold
A three-mile-long reservoir.
509
00:23:51,250 --> 00:23:51,967
Narrator: it's designed to hold
A three-mile-long reservoir.
510
00:23:51,967 --> 00:23:52,000
When you have a huge of water
Pushing up against a dam,
511
00:23:56,767 --> 00:23:59,067
And the dam is in
The shape of an arch,
512
00:23:59,067 --> 00:24:00,400
And it's made from materials
513
00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:02,700
That are really good
In compression,
514
00:24:02,700 --> 00:24:05,667
Then what it means is that
The arch is really strong,
515
00:24:05,667 --> 00:24:09,333
You don't need as much material
To resist that massive force,
516
00:24:09,333 --> 00:24:10,733
And it stays stable.
517
00:24:10,733 --> 00:24:13,933
And the clever thing is that
It channels all of that force
518
00:24:13,933 --> 00:24:17,467
Into the cliff faces,
Either side of it.
519
00:24:17,467 --> 00:24:21,250
Narrator:
Employing over 400 laborers
From the local area,
520
00:24:21,250 --> 00:24:21,300
Narrator:
Employing over 400 laborers
From the local area,
521
00:24:21,300 --> 00:24:22,000
Work starts in 1957
On this powerful structure.
522
00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:27,800
The vajont dam
Is the centerpiece
523
00:24:27,800 --> 00:24:30,400
Of a hydroelectric network
In the area.
524
00:24:30,400 --> 00:24:35,300
Engineers hope it will hold over
6 billion cubic feet of water
525
00:24:35,300 --> 00:24:41,267
And feed 4 power stations via 37
Miles of water-delivery tunnels,
526
00:24:41,267 --> 00:24:45,367
Bringing much needed energy
To the cities of northern italy.
527
00:24:45,367 --> 00:24:47,567
For three years, workers labor
528
00:24:47,567 --> 00:24:50,100
Until dam's
Distinctive curvature
529
00:24:50,100 --> 00:24:51,250
Is finally in place.
530
00:24:51,250 --> 00:24:52,000
Is finally in place.
531
00:24:52,667 --> 00:24:58,167
Something that big, something
So impressive in the landscape
532
00:24:58,167 --> 00:25:03,267
To be built at that time,
Is a real engineering feat.
533
00:25:03,267 --> 00:25:08,667
Narrator:
The filling of the reservoir
Basin begins in february 1960.
534
00:25:08,667 --> 00:25:11,433
But will it work?
535
00:25:11,433 --> 00:25:13,267
Jerram: when you're filling
The dam up with water,
536
00:25:13,267 --> 00:25:15,233
There's a lot of weight,
A lot of pressure
537
00:25:15,233 --> 00:25:17,933
That's being exerted
On the sides of the valleys.
538
00:25:17,933 --> 00:25:20,667
But at the same time,
You're bringing water into areas
539
00:25:20,667 --> 00:25:21,250
Where it's not normally there
All of the time.
540
00:25:21,250 --> 00:25:22,000
Where it's not normally there
All of the time.
541
00:25:23,367 --> 00:25:26,300
So, those two factors
Clearly changed the way
542
00:25:26,300 --> 00:25:28,700
The landscape was reacting.
543
00:25:28,700 --> 00:25:30,067
Narrator: for nine months,
544
00:25:30,067 --> 00:25:34,533
The dam hold its water level
At over 590 feet,
545
00:25:34,533 --> 00:25:37,600
Producing 9,000 kilowatts
Of energy
546
00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:40,433
For just
One power station alone.
547
00:25:40,433 --> 00:25:42,367
But a 6,000-foot crack
548
00:25:42,367 --> 00:25:45,167
Soon appears across
The slope of monte toc,
549
00:25:45,167 --> 00:25:50,167
And on november 4th, 1960,
A massive landslide happens.
550
00:25:50,167 --> 00:25:51,250
*
551
00:25:51,250 --> 00:25:51,967
*
552
00:25:51,967 --> 00:25:52,000
Over 24 million cubic feet
Of rock breaks off
553
00:25:56,133 --> 00:25:58,200
And slides into the reservoir
554
00:25:58,200 --> 00:26:01,567
Just under 2,000 feet
From the dam wall,
555
00:26:01,567 --> 00:26:03,867
Drastically increasing
The water level,
556
00:26:03,867 --> 00:26:07,867
Which could breach
The crest of the dam.
557
00:26:07,867 --> 00:26:11,800
Providing you keep enough space
In the level of the reservoir,
558
00:26:11,800 --> 00:26:14,067
And this slow rock mass
Moves into it,
559
00:26:14,067 --> 00:26:15,233
It would not necessarily
Be a problem.
560
00:26:15,233 --> 00:26:17,100
They can control it.
561
00:26:17,100 --> 00:26:19,267
Narrator: the engineers
Lower the water level,
562
00:26:19,267 --> 00:26:21,250
Easing the pressure
On the surrounding cliffs,
563
00:26:21,250 --> 00:26:21,433
Easing the pressure
On the surrounding cliffs,
564
00:26:21,433 --> 00:26:22,000
Which stop the landslide.
565
00:26:23,933 --> 00:26:25,667
To control further land movement
566
00:26:25,667 --> 00:26:27,500
While also keeping
The dam running,
567
00:26:27,500 --> 00:26:30,633
They raise and lower
The reservoir level accordingly,
568
00:26:30,633 --> 00:26:33,233
Causing fatigue in the process.
569
00:26:33,233 --> 00:26:35,467
So, if you imagine
Taking a metal spoon,
570
00:26:35,467 --> 00:26:39,433
And then you bend it back
And forth a number of times,
571
00:26:39,433 --> 00:26:42,167
Eventually that spoon
Is gonna snap.
572
00:26:42,167 --> 00:26:45,500
So, by raising and lowering
The level of the water
573
00:26:45,500 --> 00:26:46,800
In the reservoir,
574
00:26:46,800 --> 00:26:51,250
They changed the pressure
Exerted on the soil.
575
00:26:51,250 --> 00:26:52,000
They changed the pressure
Exerted on the soil.
576
00:26:52,300 --> 00:26:53,967
Narrator:
Using the water level in the dam
577
00:26:53,967 --> 00:26:57,200
To control the surrounding
Landmass is risky.
578
00:26:57,200 --> 00:27:00,067
It makes it virtually impossible
To predict
579
00:27:00,067 --> 00:27:04,600
How fast any landslide
Might react.
580
00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:08,333
Will this technique
Stop future landslides?
581
00:27:08,333 --> 00:27:11,500
And why was the vajont dam
Abandoned?
582
00:27:11,500 --> 00:27:13,133
*
583
00:27:14,367 --> 00:27:15,000
*
584
00:27:20,300 --> 00:27:23,100
Narrator: in northern italy,
High in the alps,
585
00:27:23,100 --> 00:27:26,500
Is one of the tallest concrete
Barriers in the world --
586
00:27:26,500 --> 00:27:28,900
The vajont dam.
587
00:27:28,900 --> 00:27:33,500
In 1960, engineers lower and
Raise the water in the reservoir
588
00:27:33,500 --> 00:27:36,067
To ease the pressure
On the surrounding cliffs
589
00:27:36,067 --> 00:27:39,767
In order to save the dam
And stop future landslides.
590
00:27:39,767 --> 00:27:43,067
The technique works.
591
00:27:43,067 --> 00:27:44,099
For three more years,
592
00:27:44,099 --> 00:27:44,700
For three more years,
593
00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:45,000
The dam successfully supplies
Water to four power stations,
594
00:27:48,833 --> 00:27:51,500
Producing much needed
Hydroelectricity
595
00:27:51,500 --> 00:27:54,533
To fuel the economy
Of northern italy.
596
00:27:54,533 --> 00:27:59,200
And in april 1963, with
The landslides under control,
597
00:27:59,200 --> 00:28:02,300
The engineers fill
The reservoir behind the dam
598
00:28:02,300 --> 00:28:08,900
To its capacity at 2,345 feet
Above sea level.
599
00:28:08,900 --> 00:28:13,767
The lesson that civil engineers
Are reminded of time and again
600
00:28:13,767 --> 00:28:14,099
Is to be acutely aware
Of the natural surroundings
601
00:28:14,099 --> 00:28:15,000
Is to be acutely aware
Of the natural surroundings
602
00:28:17,067 --> 00:28:21,667
And the geology in which
You are building your stricture,
603
00:28:21,667 --> 00:28:24,300
Because if you don't take heed
Of those lessons,
604
00:28:24,300 --> 00:28:29,733
The price you pay
Could be devastating.
605
00:28:29,733 --> 00:28:35,567
Narrator: then, at 10:39 p.M.,
October 9th, 1963,
606
00:28:35,567 --> 00:28:38,167
Disaster strikes.
607
00:28:38,167 --> 00:28:42,900
Over 9 billion cubic feet of
Rock breaks away from monte toc,
608
00:28:42,900 --> 00:28:44,099
Hurdling down
At 68 miles an hour.
609
00:28:44,099 --> 00:28:45,000
Hurdling down
At 68 miles an hour.
610
00:28:46,500 --> 00:28:50,100
The destructive debris smashes
Into the reservoir below.
611
00:28:50,100 --> 00:28:55,867
*
612
00:28:55,867 --> 00:28:57,600
Bell:
It wasn't just the massive earth
613
00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:00,167
That slid away
Into the reservoir.
614
00:29:00,167 --> 00:29:03,667
It was the ferocious speed
At which it came...
615
00:29:03,667 --> 00:29:07,667
*
616
00:29:07,667 --> 00:29:12,367
...45 seconds for effectively
Half of the mountainside
617
00:29:12,367 --> 00:29:14,099
To drop into the water.
618
00:29:14,099 --> 00:29:14,733
To drop into the water.
619
00:29:14,733 --> 00:29:15,000
*
620
00:29:16,700 --> 00:29:21,300
Jerram:
It cascades into the water
And causes big waves.
621
00:29:21,300 --> 00:29:22,700
Now, if you imagine a bath,
622
00:29:22,700 --> 00:29:24,167
You've got a wall
On one side of the bath,
623
00:29:24,167 --> 00:29:25,967
And you've got a lip
At the other side.
624
00:29:25,967 --> 00:29:27,167
You jump into that bath,
625
00:29:27,167 --> 00:29:29,267
You're gonna cause waves
In two directions.
626
00:29:29,267 --> 00:29:30,867
One will hit the wall
And bounce back,
627
00:29:30,867 --> 00:29:33,800
And that's exactly what happened
In part of the valley.
628
00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:35,733
The other's gonna actually
Go over the rim.
629
00:29:35,733 --> 00:29:39,233
It's literally
Like an airborne tsunami.
630
00:29:39,233 --> 00:29:42,533
Narrator: over 800 million
Cubic feet of water
631
00:29:42,533 --> 00:29:44,099
Becomes an 820-foot-high wave,
632
00:29:44,099 --> 00:29:45,000
Becomes an 820-foot-high wave,
633
00:29:46,333 --> 00:29:49,267
With the village of longarone
In its path.
634
00:29:49,267 --> 00:29:52,900
*
635
00:29:52,900 --> 00:29:56,467
A massive amount of water forced
Down such a tight gorge --
636
00:29:56,467 --> 00:29:58,167
It displaced all of that air,
637
00:29:58,167 --> 00:30:00,800
And it was almost like
A shock wave of air,
638
00:30:00,800 --> 00:30:02,800
Hit the village directly
Before the water did,
639
00:30:02,800 --> 00:30:05,133
And started destroying
Some of the buildings,
640
00:30:05,133 --> 00:30:08,200
And the next minute,
A wall of water hits you.
641
00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:10,400
It's got rocks in it,
It's got trees in it.
642
00:30:10,400 --> 00:30:14,099
It is like liquid sandpaper, and
It just wipes the village clean.
643
00:30:14,099 --> 00:30:14,767
It is like liquid sandpaper, and
It just wipes the village clean.
644
00:30:14,767 --> 00:30:15,000
Narrator: barely four minutes
After the landslide begins,
645
00:30:18,267 --> 00:30:23,100
Most of the town is obliterated
By the subsequent wall of water.
646
00:30:23,100 --> 00:30:27,367
It is one of the worst natural
Disasters in european history,
647
00:30:27,367 --> 00:30:31,433
Killing nearly 2,000 people.
648
00:30:31,433 --> 00:30:34,200
The tragic irony
Of this story is that
649
00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:37,767
Whilst the villages below the
Dam were completely destroyed
650
00:30:37,767 --> 00:30:39,767
By the on-rush of water,
651
00:30:39,767 --> 00:30:42,833
The dam itself remained
Completely intact.
652
00:30:42,833 --> 00:30:44,099
*
653
00:30:44,099 --> 00:30:45,000
*
654
00:30:45,067 --> 00:30:48,100
I guess that's
A testament, really,
655
00:30:48,100 --> 00:30:52,233
To the quality of the design
And build of the dam,
656
00:30:52,233 --> 00:30:54,900
Was just a dam built
In the wrong place.
657
00:30:54,900 --> 00:30:58,167
Narrator: the reservoir is
Ultimately filled with debris,
658
00:30:58,167 --> 00:31:01,933
And this spells the end
For the great vajont dam.
659
00:31:01,933 --> 00:31:05,067
It is abandoned.
660
00:31:05,067 --> 00:31:10,067
Today, the vajont dam stands
Isolated in the rocky landscape,
661
00:31:10,067 --> 00:31:13,433
Scattered with hints
Of its tragic past.
662
00:31:13,433 --> 00:31:14,099
It forms a permanent reminder
663
00:31:14,099 --> 00:31:15,000
It forms a permanent reminder
664
00:31:15,467 --> 00:31:20,533
Of humanity's underestimation
Of the forces of nature.
665
00:31:20,533 --> 00:31:21,800
From an engineering perspective,
666
00:31:21,800 --> 00:31:23,967
The vajont dam
Should have become
667
00:31:23,967 --> 00:31:27,133
One of the most impressive
Dams in history.
668
00:31:27,133 --> 00:31:31,067
Instead it's become
One of the most infamous.
669
00:31:31,067 --> 00:31:33,633
Jerram:
It's an unfortunate tragedy,
But from tragedy
670
00:31:33,633 --> 00:31:36,967
We learn about
How the landscape can react,
671
00:31:36,967 --> 00:31:38,733
And hopefully we can mitigate
672
00:31:38,733 --> 00:31:42,233
Against such tragedies
In the future.
673
00:31:42,233 --> 00:31:44,099
*
674
00:31:44,099 --> 00:31:45,000
*
675
00:31:45,133 --> 00:31:47,633
Narrator:
Over 500 miles across europe,
676
00:31:47,633 --> 00:31:50,233
South of dover
On the british coast
677
00:31:50,233 --> 00:31:53,200
Is the quiet seaside village
Of littlestone
678
00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:54,933
That has a secret past.
679
00:31:54,933 --> 00:31:58,967
*
680
00:31:58,967 --> 00:32:01,400
In the rough seas
Of the english channel,
681
00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:06,533
A mysterious 200-foot-long
And 32-foot-wide steel structure
682
00:32:06,533 --> 00:32:10,867
Lies partially submerged
In its waters.
683
00:32:10,867 --> 00:32:12,900
If you're one of the thousands
Of holiday makers
684
00:32:12,900 --> 00:32:14,099
Playing on the beach
At littlestone
685
00:32:14,099 --> 00:32:14,733
Playing on the beach
At littlestone
686
00:32:14,733 --> 00:32:15,000
Or even out
For an early morning walk,
687
00:32:16,833 --> 00:32:18,367
You'd quite happily dismiss it
688
00:32:18,367 --> 00:32:22,133
As part of a sunken barge
Or something.
689
00:32:22,133 --> 00:32:26,667
But the fact is it's got far
More historical significance
690
00:32:26,667 --> 00:32:30,167
Than you could ever imagine.
691
00:32:30,167 --> 00:32:32,733
Narrator: when the tide lowers
To seven feet,
692
00:32:32,733 --> 00:32:35,067
It reveals
Some of its secrets --
693
00:32:35,067 --> 00:32:38,700
A large block of concrete
Nearly one-foot thick,
694
00:32:38,700 --> 00:32:41,933
Weighing over 6,000 tons.
695
00:32:41,933 --> 00:32:44,099
This bizarre object's
Humble appearance
696
00:32:44,099 --> 00:32:44,833
This bizarre object's
Humble appearance
697
00:32:44,833 --> 00:32:45,000
Disguises its
Ambitious engineering.
698
00:32:47,733 --> 00:32:50,233
Imagine that
The engineers at the time
699
00:32:50,233 --> 00:32:51,467
Were a little bit worried
700
00:32:51,467 --> 00:32:53,600
That this was gonna be
A big risk to take.
701
00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:55,633
*
702
00:32:55,633 --> 00:33:00,067
Narrator:
But what is this strange object?
Why is it here?
703
00:33:00,067 --> 00:33:02,300
And why was it abandoned?
704
00:33:04,700 --> 00:33:05,000
*
705
00:33:09,900 --> 00:33:13,500
Narrator: in 1943, the largest
Sea-borne invasion
706
00:33:13,500 --> 00:33:16,933
Of the 20th century
Is conceived -- d day,
707
00:33:16,933 --> 00:33:20,133
Which calls for thousands
Of allied troops and supplies
708
00:33:20,133 --> 00:33:24,067
To invade nazi-occupied
France in normandy.
709
00:33:24,067 --> 00:33:25,733
But with the germans
Heavily defending
710
00:33:25,733 --> 00:33:27,600
Its major ports and harbors,
711
00:33:27,600 --> 00:33:31,933
Where and how can the allies
Land an entire invading army?
712
00:33:31,933 --> 00:33:34,449
It becomes obvious to
The british, to the americans,
713
00:33:34,449 --> 00:33:35,000
It becomes obvious to
The british, to the americans,
714
00:33:36,200 --> 00:33:42,100
That it's immensely difficult
To give an army
715
00:33:42,100 --> 00:33:45,300
The supplies it needs
To keep on fighting
716
00:33:45,300 --> 00:33:47,700
Once you've thrown them
Onto a beach.
717
00:33:47,700 --> 00:33:51,733
Narrator:
So, the allies developed
A unique and ambitious plan
718
00:33:51,733 --> 00:33:54,500
To supply the allied forces.
719
00:33:54,500 --> 00:33:58,833
We, the allies,
Brought together technology
720
00:33:58,833 --> 00:34:00,633
From the field
Of civil engineering,
721
00:34:00,633 --> 00:34:03,767
Military engineering,
Material science,
722
00:34:03,767 --> 00:34:04,449
To create something
That had not existed before --
723
00:34:04,449 --> 00:34:05,000
To create something
That had not existed before --
724
00:34:07,067 --> 00:34:12,800
An entire harbor that can move
60 miles to where it's needed.
725
00:34:12,800 --> 00:34:14,733
*
726
00:34:14,733 --> 00:34:17,100
Code named "Operation mulberry,"
727
00:34:17,100 --> 00:34:19,800
These floating harbors
Can only succeed
728
00:34:19,800 --> 00:34:22,433
If they have a particular
Critical component --
729
00:34:22,433 --> 00:34:24,567
The phoenix caisson.
730
00:34:24,567 --> 00:34:27,767
The phoenix caisson
Is but a tiny element
731
00:34:27,767 --> 00:34:29,567
Of an incredibly complex,
732
00:34:29,567 --> 00:34:32,567
But at the same time
Brilliantly simple plan
733
00:34:32,567 --> 00:34:34,449
To take a self-assembling,
Floating harbor
734
00:34:34,449 --> 00:34:35,000
To take a self-assembling,
Floating harbor
735
00:34:35,533 --> 00:34:38,400
Over to the beaches of normandy
For the d day landings.
736
00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:39,767
*
737
00:34:39,767 --> 00:34:42,600
Narrator:
This watertight structure
Is designed to provide
738
00:34:42,600 --> 00:34:45,733
Much needed protection for
The floating mulberry harbors
739
00:34:45,733 --> 00:34:48,567
Of the invading allied forces.
740
00:34:48,567 --> 00:34:51,067
But with wartime
Steel shortages,
741
00:34:51,067 --> 00:34:54,900
Engineers must turn to a more
Readily available material,
742
00:34:54,900 --> 00:34:59,367
Concrete, which,
Amazingly, can float.
743
00:34:59,367 --> 00:35:02,633
The idea of using
Floating concrete blocks
744
00:35:02,633 --> 00:35:04,233
Was actually nothing new.
745
00:35:04,233 --> 00:35:04,449
Concrete vessels have been made
Since the late 1800s.
746
00:35:04,449 --> 00:35:05,000
Concrete vessels have been made
Since the late 1800s.
747
00:35:08,167 --> 00:35:12,300
What was different was using
Them to create your own harbor
748
00:35:12,300 --> 00:35:16,800
The size of any modern
International ferry port.
749
00:35:16,800 --> 00:35:20,633
Narrator: each concrete block
Is five-stories high.
750
00:35:20,633 --> 00:35:23,200
Intended to join together
In a chain,
751
00:35:23,200 --> 00:35:25,200
They serve
As the protective walls
752
00:35:25,200 --> 00:35:28,467
To the floating
Mulberry harbors.
753
00:35:28,467 --> 00:35:30,467
Bell: the purpose of
The phoenix caissons
754
00:35:30,467 --> 00:35:32,367
Was to act
As a breakwater
755
00:35:32,367 --> 00:35:34,449
As the outer limits
Of the harbor
756
00:35:34,449 --> 00:35:34,567
As the outer limits
Of the harbor
757
00:35:34,567 --> 00:35:35,000
Within which you'd have
Much calmer waters
758
00:35:38,167 --> 00:35:41,267
To land the supplies,
The vehicles,
759
00:35:41,267 --> 00:35:44,200
And the troops required
On the beaches of normandy
760
00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:46,567
For the d day landings.
761
00:35:46,567 --> 00:35:49,833
Narrator: the caisson is made up
Of reinforced concrete,
762
00:35:49,833 --> 00:35:52,200
But it's the nine
Hallow compartments
763
00:35:52,200 --> 00:35:54,600
That hold
The secret to its buoyancy.
764
00:35:54,600 --> 00:35:57,633
Its volume consists
Of a shell of concrete
765
00:35:57,633 --> 00:36:01,133
Combined with an element
Lighter than water -- air.
766
00:36:01,133 --> 00:36:03,467
Weighing less than the water
It displaces,
767
00:36:03,467 --> 00:36:04,449
This concrete block
Is able to float.
768
00:36:04,449 --> 00:36:05,000
This concrete block
Is able to float.
769
00:36:06,633 --> 00:36:09,067
Equipped with sea valves
Through which each compartment
770
00:36:09,067 --> 00:36:10,300
Can be flooded,
771
00:36:10,300 --> 00:36:12,667
These mobile blocks can be sunk
772
00:36:12,667 --> 00:36:16,633
Wherever they are needed
To become immovable.
773
00:36:16,633 --> 00:36:19,367
The phoenix caisson itself
Rates quite high in terms
774
00:36:19,367 --> 00:36:24,833
Of the engineering ingenuity
Involved in world war ii, right?
775
00:36:24,833 --> 00:36:26,900
The engineers knew
They had a job to do,
776
00:36:26,900 --> 00:36:28,700
And they solved it
Very efficiently
777
00:36:28,700 --> 00:36:30,700
And very beautifully.
778
00:36:30,700 --> 00:36:34,167
Narrator: construction begins
In late 1943.
779
00:36:34,167 --> 00:36:34,449
Workers must make 212 caissons
With only six months
780
00:36:34,449 --> 00:36:35,000
Workers must make 212 caissons
With only six months
781
00:36:38,733 --> 00:36:42,367
To complete this colossal task.
782
00:36:42,367 --> 00:36:46,300
At 12 different coastal
Locations around britain,
783
00:36:46,300 --> 00:36:50,433
45,000 laborers
Work in complete secrecy
784
00:36:50,433 --> 00:36:52,433
To construct the caissons
That require
785
00:36:52,433 --> 00:36:55,500
Over 8 million cubic feet
Of concrete
786
00:36:55,500 --> 00:36:59,367
And 31,000 tons of steel.
787
00:36:59,367 --> 00:37:01,233
A lot of the people would be
Out there fighting the wars
788
00:37:01,233 --> 00:37:03,533
And so on, so you'd get
The unskilled laborer,
789
00:37:03,533 --> 00:37:04,449
And then you can actually
Train them up quite quickly
790
00:37:04,449 --> 00:37:05,000
And then you can actually
Train them up quite quickly
791
00:37:06,367 --> 00:37:08,667
To fix steel,
To pour the concrete,
792
00:37:08,667 --> 00:37:10,533
'cause actually
The process of doing that
793
00:37:10,533 --> 00:37:15,200
Is not terribly technical
Or complicated.
794
00:37:15,200 --> 00:37:18,400
Narrator: to keep a project
Of this magnitude under wraps,
795
00:37:18,400 --> 00:37:21,400
The engineers used the caissons'
Design and function
796
00:37:21,400 --> 00:37:24,167
In a daring way.
797
00:37:24,167 --> 00:37:26,367
To keep the plans
For the d day landings
798
00:37:26,367 --> 00:37:28,767
A complete secret
From the germans,
799
00:37:28,767 --> 00:37:30,267
Once the phoenix caissons
Had arrived
800
00:37:30,267 --> 00:37:32,333
At their assembly point
On the south coast,
801
00:37:32,333 --> 00:37:34,449
They were sunk to keep them out
Of view below the water level,
802
00:37:34,449 --> 00:37:35,000
They were sunk to keep them out
Of view below the water level,
803
00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:38,733
The idea being then that
You could pump the water out
804
00:37:38,733 --> 00:37:42,533
To float them up before
Being towed over to france.
805
00:37:42,533 --> 00:37:47,533
Narrator: in a mere six months,
212 phoenix caissons are built
806
00:37:47,533 --> 00:37:49,767
And many are sunk
In the english channel
807
00:37:49,767 --> 00:37:51,600
In preparation for d day.
808
00:37:51,600 --> 00:37:54,567
Now, true to their name,
They must rise again
809
00:37:54,567 --> 00:37:57,800
To play their part
In the invasion of normandy.
810
00:37:57,800 --> 00:37:59,433
Of course
There's always the chance
811
00:37:59,433 --> 00:38:01,767
That once you've done
The first sink,
812
00:38:01,767 --> 00:38:03,133
It actually does
What it's supposed to do
813
00:38:03,133 --> 00:38:04,200
And sticks into the ground
814
00:38:04,200 --> 00:38:04,449
And then stays there
Nice and stable
815
00:38:04,449 --> 00:38:05,000
And then stays there
Nice and stable
816
00:38:06,233 --> 00:38:08,867
Against the sea currents.
817
00:38:08,867 --> 00:38:12,267
Narrator: will engineers get
All the caissons to re-float?
818
00:38:12,267 --> 00:38:14,467
How will they work
During the invasion?
819
00:38:14,467 --> 00:38:17,833
And why was
The phoenix caisson abandoned?
820
00:38:17,833 --> 00:38:19,300
*
821
00:38:20,500 --> 00:38:21,000
*
822
00:38:26,067 --> 00:38:30,200
Narrator: off the british coast,
Lies the unsung hero of d day --
823
00:38:30,200 --> 00:38:32,133
The phoenix caisson.
824
00:38:32,133 --> 00:38:36,333
On june 7th, 1944,
Within 24 hours
825
00:38:36,333 --> 00:38:39,133
Of the allied invasion
Of nazi-occupied france,
826
00:38:39,133 --> 00:38:42,633
The troops need
Supplies and fast.
827
00:38:42,633 --> 00:38:45,800
This is the moment
For the phoenix caisson to rise.
828
00:38:45,800 --> 00:38:48,700
The majority of
The giant concrete breakwaters
829
00:38:48,700 --> 00:38:50,398
Hidden under the english channel
Are successfully re-floated.
830
00:38:50,398 --> 00:38:51,000
Hidden under the english channel
Are successfully re-floated.
831
00:38:53,067 --> 00:38:56,467
The allies sail them
To the normandy beaches
832
00:38:56,467 --> 00:38:59,167
To play their part
In the invasion.
833
00:38:59,167 --> 00:39:02,767
The phoenix caissons
Had a crew of six men.
834
00:39:02,767 --> 00:39:05,667
I mean, imagine that --
Being a crewman on board
835
00:39:05,667 --> 00:39:08,633
A floating piece of concrete.
836
00:39:08,633 --> 00:39:11,200
As they were towed
Along by tugboats,
837
00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:14,100
On board was
A little accommodation hut,
838
00:39:14,100 --> 00:39:16,633
A life raft in case
Anything went wrong,
839
00:39:16,633 --> 00:39:19,700
But they also had
Anti-aircraft guns
840
00:39:19,700 --> 00:39:20,398
Just in case
They came under attack.
841
00:39:20,398 --> 00:39:21,000
Just in case
They came under attack.
842
00:39:22,867 --> 00:39:26,367
At a rate of three knots,
It takes 30 hours
843
00:39:26,367 --> 00:39:30,867
To float 146 of these giant,
Concrete caissons
844
00:39:30,867 --> 00:39:34,400
To the secured beachheads
Of omaha and gold.
845
00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:38,467
Once sunk in place, they act
As a two-mile-long breakwater
846
00:39:38,467 --> 00:39:40,300
And outer wall of the harbor,
847
00:39:40,300 --> 00:39:44,867
Fulfilling their crucial role
In operation mulberry.
848
00:39:44,867 --> 00:39:47,067
Concrete boxes
Of the phoenix caisson,
849
00:39:47,067 --> 00:39:49,367
In and of themselves
Are not terribly impressive
850
00:39:49,367 --> 00:39:50,398
When described
As a concrete box.
851
00:39:50,398 --> 00:39:51,000
When described
As a concrete box.
852
00:39:51,400 --> 00:39:55,767
But the usage of that caisson
In landing material, men,
853
00:39:55,767 --> 00:39:58,333
And equipment
On the beaches of france
854
00:39:58,333 --> 00:40:00,467
Was tremendously important.
855
00:40:00,467 --> 00:40:04,733
Narrator:
The mulberry harbor makes up
An area of 500 acres
856
00:40:04,733 --> 00:40:08,533
That is protected
By a ring of phoenix caissons.
857
00:40:08,533 --> 00:40:10,667
Critically, they calm the waters
858
00:40:10,667 --> 00:40:13,567
So boats can safely dock
At the floating piers,
859
00:40:13,567 --> 00:40:16,700
Whether at high or low tide.
860
00:40:16,700 --> 00:40:19,067
Having taken
The germans by surprise,
861
00:40:19,067 --> 00:40:20,398
The phoenix caissons
Evade serious bombardment.
862
00:40:20,398 --> 00:40:21,000
The phoenix caissons
Evade serious bombardment.
863
00:40:22,400 --> 00:40:26,933
Designed to last only 90 days,
The mulberry harbors in france
864
00:40:26,933 --> 00:40:29,667
Are still going strong
10 months later.
865
00:40:29,667 --> 00:40:31,600
With the help
Of the phoenix caissons,
866
00:40:31,600 --> 00:40:35,767
The allies are able to unload
2.5 million men,
867
00:40:35,767 --> 00:40:37,200
Half a million vehicles,
868
00:40:37,200 --> 00:40:41,300
And four million tons
Of goods and supplies.
869
00:40:41,300 --> 00:40:42,667
Bell: to the engineers involved,
870
00:40:42,667 --> 00:40:45,833
The mulberry harbors
Were a phenomenal success.
871
00:40:45,833 --> 00:40:47,700
D day landings
Have been described
872
00:40:47,700 --> 00:40:50,398
As one of the most monumental
Events in modern history.
873
00:40:50,398 --> 00:40:51,000
As one of the most monumental
Events in modern history.
874
00:40:51,233 --> 00:40:55,233
The phoenix caissons
Were a huge part of that.
875
00:40:55,233 --> 00:40:57,933
Narrator:
But not all the caissons
Are successful.
876
00:40:57,933 --> 00:41:01,533
Many don't make it, and
Off the coast of littlestone,
877
00:41:01,533 --> 00:41:04,167
No matter how hard
The engineers and pumps work
878
00:41:04,167 --> 00:41:06,900
On the stranded caisson
Beached there,
879
00:41:06,900 --> 00:41:09,700
It refuses
To rise to the surface.
880
00:41:09,700 --> 00:41:12,233
Only problem was
In certain areas
881
00:41:12,233 --> 00:41:17,300
The seabed was extremely sticky,
And try as they might,
882
00:41:17,300 --> 00:41:19,500
The phoenix caisson
At littlestone
883
00:41:19,500 --> 00:41:20,398
Just couldn't be floated again.
884
00:41:20,398 --> 00:41:21,000
Just couldn't be floated again.
885
00:41:21,933 --> 00:41:26,333
Narrator:
Unable to rise from its watery
Grave of the shore of england,
886
00:41:26,333 --> 00:41:29,100
It lies abandoned.
887
00:41:29,100 --> 00:41:31,567
The phoenix caissons
Played a crucial role
888
00:41:31,567 --> 00:41:33,967
In the allies
Winning world war ii
889
00:41:33,967 --> 00:41:36,933
And are now a monument
To military ingenuity
890
00:41:36,933 --> 00:41:41,200
And inspiration for generations
Of civil engineers to come.
891
00:41:41,200 --> 00:41:44,233
The story of the
Phoenix caisson at littlestone,
892
00:41:44,233 --> 00:41:46,567
In a way, is a story of failure.
893
00:41:46,567 --> 00:41:49,167
It never made
Its way over to france.
894
00:41:49,167 --> 00:41:50,398
But if you were able to get it
Off the seabed today
895
00:41:50,398 --> 00:41:51,000
But if you were able to get it
Off the seabed today
896
00:41:51,567 --> 00:41:53,800
And float it,
It would still be able
897
00:41:53,800 --> 00:41:56,400
To do the job
It was designed to do,
898
00:41:56,400 --> 00:41:58,333
And that's testimony
899
00:41:58,333 --> 00:42:01,267
To quality engineering
And a sound plan.
900
00:42:01,267 --> 00:42:04,100
*
72687
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