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Narrator:
A mysterious concrete giant
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Atop a mountain peak...
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It looks like a u.F.O.
Or a flying saucer
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00:00:08,233 --> 00:00:12,033
With a concrete spire
Going above it.
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00:00:12,033 --> 00:00:13,833
Narrator:
...A fantastical structure
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In the middle
Of an american river...
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He was an amateur architect.
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There were no blueprints.
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He actually drew on napkins
And on paper.
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00:00:22,933 --> 00:00:29,300
Narrator: ...And a technological
Masterpiece lost to the sea.
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When you get up
Close you realize
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When you get up
Close you realize
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That there's a lot more
That meets the eye.
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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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*
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*
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*
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-- captions by vitac --
Www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
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Over 5,000 miles away,
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High up in the central
Balkan mountains of bulgaria
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Is a structure that is
Literally out of this world.
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*
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*
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Through the cold,
Swirling mist, a strange,
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Curved concrete surface emerges,
Punctuated by oblong openings.
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An amazing structure
That is a little bit mysterious
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I think I'd say.
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It reminds me of something out
Of a 1970s sci-fi film.
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Narrator:
Eerie light and haze pierce the
197-feet-wide decaying copper
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Narrator:
Eerie light and haze pierce the
197-feet-wide decaying copper
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That covers this abandoned
22,550-ton structure.
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00:02:08,767 --> 00:02:11,400
It looks like a u.F.O.
Or a flying saucer
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With a concrete spire
Going above it.
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Narrator: a 230-feet-high
Sheer-sided tower
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Punctuates the concrete disc.
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But what on earth
Was it used for?
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But what on earth
Was it used for?
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If you told me it was a control
Center for nuclear missiles,
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I'd believe you.
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If you told me it was some
Pagan-ist cult worship center,
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I'd believe you.
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It's confusing.
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Narrator: what is this
Extraordinary complex?
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And why is it here, abandoned
4,600 feet up
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In the central
Balkan mountains?
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The answer lies behind
The iron curtain of the 1970s.
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The answer lies behind
The iron curtain of the 1970s.
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Bulgaria is the soviet union's
Most loyal follower,
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Thanks the country's communist
Dictator, todor zhivkov.
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To persuade his people
That the communist cause
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Is part of bulgarian history,
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Zhivkov needs a unifying
Project on a grand scale
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That will win their
Hearts and minds.
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And its seemingly
Remote location
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Is vital to its success.
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Is vital to its success.
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Bell: the location's important
To bulgarians
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Because it's on the site
Of a 19th-century battle
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Between bulgarian rebels,
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Which became
The communist party,
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And the forces
Of the ottoman empire.
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Narrator: this bizarre,
Crumbling shell of a building
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Is the striking
Buzludzha monument.
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Today it lies abandoned
On a mountaintop.
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Bulgarian communist
Dictator todor zhivkov
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Hopes that this structure
Will ignite nationalistic spirit
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And unite his people under
The u.S.S.R. Communist banner.
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First impressions
When you see the monument
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Are sort of bewilderment.
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When you see monuments
There's classical shapes.
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This is not classical in anyway.
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And so it's strikingly strange.
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Bell: for me, buzludzha pretty
Much exemplifies
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Bell: for me, buzludzha pretty
Much exemplifies
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The methods communists used
To keep people under the thumb
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And to exert the power
Over the power
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Through their brutalistic
And oppressive architecture.
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Narrator: the project begins
On january 23, 1974.
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However, creating such
A massive structure
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On top of this inhospitable
Mountain range
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Is no easy task.
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Is no easy task.
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Dokrell: constructing anything
Of large size
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In a remote area is challenging.
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I think it was sort of classical
Socialist will that decided,
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You know, "We're gonna build
This building right here,
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And no matter what it takes,
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We're gonna cart all this
Material up this mountain.
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We're gonna dynamite
The top off the mountain,
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And this is what
We're gonna do,"
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And they did it.
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Narrator:
Over 500,000 cubic feet of rock
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Is blasted away to level
The top of the mountain,
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Dropping its height
By an incredible 30 feet.
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Dropping its height
By an incredible 30 feet.
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At such high altitude,
The progress of construction
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Is at the mercy
Of the elements.
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The workers battle
Heavy snowfall, high winds,
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And enveloping mists.
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They work around the clock
To achieve the build
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In the narrow weather window
From may to september.
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With such a demanding schedule,
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A constant supply
Of materials is vital.
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A constant supply
Of materials is vital.
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Agrawal: now, this thing's
Made out of concrete,
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So you need to get
The aggregates up there,
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You need get
The wet concrete up there,
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You need mix it up,
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Make sure that it's all, you
Know, properly molded together.
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You need to get
The formwork up there
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So that you can actually
Shape the concrete.
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It's really a big
Logistical challenge.
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Narrator:
Despite the challenges,
70,000 tons of concrete
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And 3,000 tons of steel are used
To construct the monument.
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And 3,000 tons of steel are used
To construct the monument.
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At its core is a y-shaped base
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That takes the whole
Vertical load
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Of the unique flying saucer.
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Centered around a simple
Interior structure,
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The futuristic outer shell
Poses more of a problem.
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The design of the monument
Was a great challenge
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00:06:56,067 --> 00:06:59,067
For the engineers in the '70s.
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The shape in the concrete
Was calculated
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The shape in the concrete
Was calculated
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By computers in moscow.
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00:07:05,433 --> 00:07:08,067
Agrawal: when you're trying
To make something as curved
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00:07:08,067 --> 00:07:10,933
And as sinuous as this structure
That we're looking at here,
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Then you need to think about,
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00:07:12,100 --> 00:07:14,233
"Well, how am I actually
Going to achieve that,"
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00:07:14,233 --> 00:07:17,300
So it's a really interesting
Challenge for engineers,
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Especially in that era,
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To create these
Really smooth curves
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Against which they then
Want to pour the concrete.
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Narrator:
An impressive 30 tons of copper
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Cladding covers
The roof of the saucer,
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Cladding covers
The roof of the saucer,
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00:07:31,267 --> 00:07:34,167
Which can be heated
To melt heavy snowfall,
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Preventing the roof
From collapse.
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Agrawal: one of the biggest
Challenges that the engineers
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Would have had to consider
In designing
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This is the amount of snow
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00:07:44,500 --> 00:07:47,200
That the roof
Would need to resist,
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00:07:47,200 --> 00:07:49,067
So having this
Shallow dome shape
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Is actually a fairly good shape,
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Because it will allow some snow
To kind of move its way off
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And to flow off.
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Narrator:
The most outstanding elements
Of this construction
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Narrator:
The most outstanding elements
Of this construction
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Is the tower that soars from
The mountaintop towards the sky.
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Its summit takes the load of
2 39-feet-high red glass stars,
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Each weighing
A colossal 3.5 tons.
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Ivanova: they were the biggest
Illuminated stars in the world.
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They could be seen from
Hundreds of kilometers
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Away by good weather.
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Narrator: no expense is spared
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Narrator: no expense is spared
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On the lavish interior
Of the structure.
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Bell: from the outside you see
This brutalist,
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Concrete version
Of the millennium falcon,
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But on the inside
The feeling's quite different.
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They used 35 tons of mosaic
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And stained glass
To decorate the inside
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To give it the atmosphere
That they wanted.
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The mosaics are not just
For decorative purposes.
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The mosaics are not just
For decorative purposes.
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Every element
Within the monument
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Must be a reminder
Of the communist cause.
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From the one side,
Could be seen the faces
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Of lenin, marx, and engels,
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And from the other side
The bulgarian communist leaders.
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Narrator:
A 5,490-square-feet mosaic
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Of the sickle and hammer crowns
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Of the sickle and hammer crowns
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The center of this
Monumental achievement.
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It takes seven years,
6,000 volunteers,
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And $35 million in today's money
To construct buzludzha.
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The grand opening
On august 23, 1981,
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Is attended by the world's
Top communist leaders.
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The site is immediately
Glorified throughout
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The site is immediately
Glorified throughout
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The communist world
As a beacon of power.
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*
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But communism collapses
Seemingly overnight,
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And this icon falls with it.
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*
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Narrator: planted on top
Of a bulgarian mountain peak
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Is buzludzha monument,
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00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,800
A powerful symbol
Of bulgarian communist
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And its sudden collapse.
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Bell: many of the communist
Structures that we see were
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Almost monuments
To either individuals
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Or to military control,
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00:10:47,433 --> 00:10:50,386
To the power
Of that communist party.
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To the power
Of that communist party.
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I mean, they weren't
Necessarily beautiful --
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Or maybe they were
Beautiful in their own way.
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There was certainly
A lot of concrete involved.
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Narrator: this incredible
Structure doubles as
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00:11:03,367 --> 00:11:05,900
A meeting place for
The bulgarian communist party
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As well as a site that draws
Over 3 million visitors.
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Today, it sits derelict
And covered in graffiti
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On the mountaintop.
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00:11:18,467 --> 00:11:20,386
People were really impressed
And astonished by the building.
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00:11:20,386 --> 00:11:21,000
People were really impressed
And astonished by the building.
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00:11:21,933 --> 00:11:25,333
They still remember,
Until today, their visits.
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00:11:25,333 --> 00:11:29,667
And in this sense, buzludzha's
A really effective tool
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00:11:29,667 --> 00:11:34,233
Of creating communist mythology.
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00:11:34,233 --> 00:11:37,367
Narrator: for eight years,
It serves as the emblem
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00:11:37,367 --> 00:11:40,600
Of bulgarian communism.
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00:11:40,600 --> 00:11:45,367
But in 1989,
The demise of the u.S.S.R.
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Coupled with todor zhivkov's
Fall from power dooms
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00:11:48,700 --> 00:11:50,386
The buzludzha monument
To the past,
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00:11:50,386 --> 00:11:51,000
The buzludzha monument
To the past,
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And it is abandoned.
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00:11:57,167 --> 00:12:00,933
Today buzludzha monument
Is a ruined shell,
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00:12:00,933 --> 00:12:04,167
Clouded in the mist,
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00:12:04,167 --> 00:12:06,233
And its future looks bleak.
225
00:12:06,233 --> 00:12:10,067
But maybe its final chapter
Is soon to be written.
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00:12:12,633 --> 00:12:15,433
On november 24, 2016,
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00:12:15,433 --> 00:12:18,200
The bulgarian government
Passes a new law
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00:12:18,200 --> 00:12:20,386
That bans the public display
Of communist symbols.
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00:12:20,386 --> 00:12:21,000
That bans the public display
Of communist symbols.
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00:12:23,700 --> 00:12:26,067
So are they going to
Tear it down,
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00:12:26,067 --> 00:12:29,967
Or will this hill return
To its former glory?
232
00:12:32,633 --> 00:12:36,533
Perhaps future generations
Will have no idea that
233
00:12:36,533 --> 00:12:39,133
For a short period 40 years ago
234
00:12:39,133 --> 00:12:43,400
A powerful icon rose
And fell here.
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00:12:45,900 --> 00:12:48,133
Bell: say what you like
About eastern europe
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00:12:48,133 --> 00:12:49,633
Communist regimes.
237
00:12:49,633 --> 00:12:50,386
But they could certainly
Make a statement structurally.
238
00:12:50,386 --> 00:12:51,000
But they could certainly
Make a statement structurally.
239
00:12:53,867 --> 00:13:02,667
*
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00:13:02,667 --> 00:13:05,167
Narrator: high in
The chugach mountains of alaska
241
00:13:05,167 --> 00:13:09,633
Is one of the world's first
Arctic feats of engineering.
242
00:13:09,633 --> 00:13:16,067
*
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00:13:16,067 --> 00:13:20,386
Wedged in a glacier-lined gap
178 feet above
244
00:13:20,386 --> 00:13:20,600
Wedged in a glacier-lined gap
178 feet above
245
00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:21,000
The vast flowing copper river
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00:13:22,567 --> 00:13:27,900
Is this 1,550-feet
Rusting steel structure.
247
00:13:29,867 --> 00:13:31,833
Borer: nothing had ever
Been built like it.
248
00:13:31,833 --> 00:13:36,967
It was one of the greatest
Feats of arctic engineering.
249
00:13:36,967 --> 00:13:39,833
It really required
Some innovative thinking,
250
00:13:39,833 --> 00:13:44,767
And the challenges
Were pretty demonstrable.
251
00:13:44,767 --> 00:13:46,933
Narrator:
Supporting the steel expanse
252
00:13:46,933 --> 00:13:49,900
Are three
6-sided concrete masses,
253
00:13:49,900 --> 00:13:50,386
64 feet long, and 21 feet
Wide at their bases.
254
00:13:50,386 --> 00:13:51,000
64 feet long, and 21 feet
Wide at their bases.
255
00:13:57,167 --> 00:14:00,900
But a closer look reveals
That this mammoth feat
256
00:14:00,900 --> 00:14:05,433
Had structural flaws that
Soon heralded its destruction.
257
00:14:07,333 --> 00:14:10,967
To get all of that material
In a very pristine
258
00:14:10,967 --> 00:14:15,900
Alaskan wilderness
Is truly mind-blowing.
259
00:14:15,900 --> 00:14:20,386
You have these concrete blocks
Coming out of the water.
260
00:14:20,386 --> 00:14:20,600
You have these concrete blocks
Coming out of the water.
261
00:14:20,600 --> 00:14:21,000
Why?
262
00:14:22,900 --> 00:14:25,933
Narrator:
What are these concrete wedges?
263
00:14:25,933 --> 00:14:30,767
And why is this seemingly
Perfect structure abandoned?
264
00:14:33,867 --> 00:14:37,133
The answer lies in its history.
265
00:14:37,133 --> 00:14:42,667
In 1900, alaska is rich
In undiscovered resources.
266
00:14:43,300 --> 00:14:46,967
Deep in the territory's
Wrangell mountains, prospectors
267
00:14:46,967 --> 00:14:49,633
Discover high-grade copper ore
268
00:14:49,633 --> 00:14:50,386
And set up the kennicott mine
To extract it.
269
00:14:50,386 --> 00:14:51,000
And set up the kennicott mine
To extract it.
270
00:14:55,867 --> 00:14:58,833
But that is only
Half the battle.
271
00:14:58,833 --> 00:15:04,400
How will they get all this
Priceless ore to civilization?
272
00:15:04,400 --> 00:15:08,567
The mine's owners, j.P. Morgan
And daniel guggenheim,
273
00:15:08,567 --> 00:15:11,700
Sink $25 million into
The creation
274
00:15:11,700 --> 00:15:17,067
Of the 196-mile-long
Copper river railway.
275
00:15:17,067 --> 00:15:20,386
But they know they have a major
Operation ahead of them.
276
00:15:20,386 --> 00:15:21,000
But they know they have a major
Operation ahead of them.
277
00:15:23,800 --> 00:15:26,433
Jerram:
Whenever you have engineering
Projects in high latitude,
278
00:15:26,433 --> 00:15:29,467
The arctic regions, antarctic
Regions, it's a problem.
279
00:15:29,467 --> 00:15:31,800
It might be easier
To work there in winter
280
00:15:31,800 --> 00:15:33,833
When the ground's more solid.
281
00:15:33,833 --> 00:15:37,667
You've got that dynamic
Problem of a melt season.
282
00:15:37,667 --> 00:15:40,400
As you've got lots of snow,
When you get to summer,
283
00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:42,767
Short summer, you get lots
And lots of water.
284
00:15:42,767 --> 00:15:44,067
So you get big rivers.
285
00:15:44,067 --> 00:15:46,600
So all of these things
Make engineering projects
286
00:15:46,600 --> 00:15:50,386
In such environments
Very, very difficult.
287
00:15:50,386 --> 00:15:51,000
In such environments
Very, very difficult.
288
00:15:53,367 --> 00:15:57,100
Narrator: but how do engineers
Plan to get man and machinery
289
00:15:57,100 --> 00:16:00,200
Across this icy expanse?
290
00:16:03,767 --> 00:16:04,000
*
291
00:16:10,867 --> 00:16:13,467
Narrator: deep in alaska's
Wrangell mountains
292
00:16:13,467 --> 00:16:16,600
Are two formidable
Walls of ice --
293
00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:21,267
The childs
And miles river glaciers.
294
00:16:21,267 --> 00:16:23,300
Barely three miles apart,
295
00:16:23,300 --> 00:16:28,267
They block both banks
Of the copper river.
296
00:16:28,267 --> 00:16:33,195
But how do engineers plan
To span this icy expanse?
297
00:16:33,195 --> 00:16:33,867
But how do engineers plan
To span this icy expanse?
298
00:16:33,867 --> 00:16:34,000
The only solution
Is to build this --
299
00:16:37,167 --> 00:16:39,400
The miles glacier bridge,
300
00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:44,100
Better known
As the million dollar bridge.
301
00:16:44,100 --> 00:16:46,067
The million dollar bridge
Is aptly named
302
00:16:46,067 --> 00:16:49,333
Because that's what
It cost to construct.
303
00:16:49,333 --> 00:16:53,467
It was a completely unique
Engineering challenge.
304
00:16:57,067 --> 00:17:00,267
It was new technology
For everything.
305
00:17:00,267 --> 00:17:03,195
Nobody had a glacier
On both sides of a bridges
306
00:17:03,195 --> 00:17:03,367
Nobody had a glacier
On both sides of a bridges
307
00:17:03,367 --> 00:17:04,000
That's dumping
1,000-ton icebergs
308
00:17:06,233 --> 00:17:08,267
And 100-mile-an-hour winds
309
00:17:08,267 --> 00:17:12,533
And 60-below-zero temperatures
Across a river
310
00:17:12,533 --> 00:17:15,833
That has a current of 10 knots,
311
00:17:15,833 --> 00:17:20,367
Plus the fact access to here
Was near impossible.
312
00:17:22,067 --> 00:17:25,367
Narrator: this impossible bridge
Needs to be light enough
313
00:17:25,367 --> 00:17:27,233
To stretch across the river
314
00:17:27,233 --> 00:17:29,600
But strong enough
To take the strain
315
00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:32,067
Of two fully-loaded trains
316
00:17:32,067 --> 00:17:33,195
Meeting in the middle
Of the span.
317
00:17:33,195 --> 00:17:34,000
Meeting in the middle
Of the span.
318
00:17:39,067 --> 00:17:41,300
To achieve this economically,
319
00:17:41,300 --> 00:17:44,767
Engineers build four
Steel truss bands,
320
00:17:44,767 --> 00:17:49,233
Mounted on three concrete piers.
321
00:17:49,233 --> 00:17:52,667
Agrawal: so this bridge is
A pennsylvania truss bridge.
322
00:17:52,667 --> 00:17:54,500
Now, engineers love trusses
323
00:17:54,500 --> 00:17:56,200
Because
They're full of triangles,
324
00:17:56,200 --> 00:17:57,933
And triangles
Are a strong shape.
325
00:17:57,933 --> 00:18:01,233
It also means you've got
Thinner pieces of steel,
326
00:18:01,233 --> 00:18:03,195
And you're cleverly channeling
Loads and forces through it
327
00:18:03,195 --> 00:18:04,000
And you're cleverly channeling
Loads and forces through it
328
00:18:04,967 --> 00:18:06,533
Into the foundations
329
00:18:06,533 --> 00:18:10,067
To create an efficient structure
And a light structure
330
00:18:10,067 --> 00:18:15,067
And, basically,
Keep the bridge strong.
331
00:18:15,067 --> 00:18:17,733
Narrator: construction of
The miles glacier bridge
332
00:18:17,733 --> 00:18:22,067
Begins in april 1909.
333
00:18:22,067 --> 00:18:25,100
Laborers act fast
Before the melt season
334
00:18:25,100 --> 00:18:27,667
Releases 1,000-ton icebergs
335
00:18:27,667 --> 00:18:33,100
That could sweep away
Their hard work.
336
00:18:33,100 --> 00:18:33,195
This means finishing
In a breakneck 13 months
337
00:18:33,195 --> 00:18:34,000
This means finishing
In a breakneck 13 months
338
00:18:38,067 --> 00:18:41,700
And preparing for the worst.
339
00:18:41,700 --> 00:18:47,633
So how do you stop these
Floating battering rams of ice?
340
00:18:47,633 --> 00:18:49,167
You try and defect them.
341
00:18:49,167 --> 00:18:51,367
You try and stop those
Massive pieces of ice
342
00:18:51,367 --> 00:18:55,133
From actually hitting
The bridge itself.
343
00:18:55,133 --> 00:18:58,067
There's two icebreakers --
One in front of pier one
344
00:18:58,067 --> 00:18:59,633
And one in front of pier three.
345
00:18:59,633 --> 00:19:03,195
They're both approximately
53 feet long, 31 feet wide,
346
00:19:03,195 --> 00:19:04,000
They're both approximately
53 feet long, 31 feet wide,
347
00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:07,900
Buried about 20 feet
Into the bed of the river
348
00:19:07,900 --> 00:19:13,933
And sticking out of the water
At about 18 feet.
349
00:19:13,933 --> 00:19:16,367
The iceberg comes down
And hit that
350
00:19:16,367 --> 00:19:20,233
And are either split
Or deflected by the icebreaker
351
00:19:20,233 --> 00:19:24,133
So that the ice doesn't
Hit the piers themselves.
352
00:19:27,433 --> 00:19:30,700
Narrator: with the bridge
Complete and now protected,
353
00:19:30,700 --> 00:19:33,195
The first 1,200-ton load
Of high-grade copper ore
354
00:19:33,195 --> 00:19:34,000
The first 1,200-ton load
Of high-grade copper ore
355
00:19:35,433 --> 00:19:39,667
Travels across the miles glacier
Bridge in 1911.
356
00:19:39,667 --> 00:19:45,533
For the next 27 years,
357
00:19:45,533 --> 00:19:47,367
The bridge withstands
The elements
358
00:19:47,367 --> 00:19:50,300
To bring its investors
A massive return
359
00:19:50,300 --> 00:19:57,167
And making every dime of its
$1.4 million spend worthwhile.
360
00:19:59,267 --> 00:20:00,933
Dokrell: so, even though
The bridge is called
361
00:20:00,933 --> 00:20:02,733
The million dollar bridge --
362
00:20:02,733 --> 00:20:03,195
For its day,
Which was lot of money --
363
00:20:03,195 --> 00:20:03,967
For its day,
Which was lot of money --
364
00:20:03,967 --> 00:20:04,000
The amount of money
That came out of the mine,
365
00:20:07,300 --> 00:20:09,033
Almost over $200 million,
366
00:20:09,033 --> 00:20:11,233
More than paid
For the extravagant sum
367
00:20:11,233 --> 00:20:14,600
That was spent at the time.
368
00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:20,267
Narrator:
For almost three decades
The bridge is a vital lifeline.
369
00:20:20,267 --> 00:20:25,033
But in november 1938,
Having exhausted its resources,
370
00:20:25,033 --> 00:20:28,533
The kennicott copper mine
Shuts down
371
00:20:28,533 --> 00:20:33,195
And the bridge turns
Into a highway for vehicles.
372
00:20:33,195 --> 00:20:34,000
And the bridge turns
Into a highway for vehicles.
373
00:20:34,567 --> 00:20:36,333
But at 5:36 p.M.
374
00:20:36,333 --> 00:20:42,033
On march 27, 1964,
Disaster strikes.
375
00:20:45,567 --> 00:20:47,367
Can the miles glacier bridge
376
00:20:47,367 --> 00:20:51,933
Survive a catastrophic
Force of nature --
377
00:20:51,933 --> 00:20:55,667
A 9.2 magnitude earthquake.
378
00:20:57,500 --> 00:20:58,000
*
379
00:21:03,967 --> 00:21:06,600
Narrator: near the southeast
Coast of alaska
380
00:21:06,600 --> 00:21:10,133
Stands the miles glacier bridge.
381
00:21:10,133 --> 00:21:12,900
In 1964, it's set to become
382
00:21:12,900 --> 00:21:18,533
A vital piece
Of the new copper river highway.
383
00:21:18,533 --> 00:21:22,500
But at 5:36 p.M.
On march 27th,
384
00:21:22,500 --> 00:21:25,767
A terrifying
Natural disaster strikes --
385
00:21:25,767 --> 00:21:27,256
An earthquake
Of epic proportions.
386
00:21:27,256 --> 00:21:28,000
An earthquake
Of epic proportions.
387
00:21:31,633 --> 00:21:35,433
Jerram: the earthquake
That struck alaska in 1964
388
00:21:35,433 --> 00:21:37,900
Was recorded as the second
Largest earthquake
389
00:21:37,900 --> 00:21:41,567
Ever recorded in human history.
390
00:21:44,233 --> 00:21:46,333
Narrator:
Whole communities are destroyed,
391
00:21:46,333 --> 00:21:51,500
And 139 people are killed
In the 9.2-magnitude quake.
392
00:21:52,933 --> 00:21:56,067
Borer: the '64 earthquake
Knocked down stand four.
393
00:21:56,067 --> 00:21:57,256
It fell down into the water
Basically intact,
394
00:21:57,256 --> 00:21:58,000
It fell down into the water
Basically intact,
395
00:21:59,300 --> 00:22:00,633
But the reason it fell
396
00:22:00,633 --> 00:22:05,100
Is the pier supporting it
Had sliced itself in half
397
00:22:05,100 --> 00:22:10,400
Because there was no structural
Reinforcement in the concrete.
398
00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:12,733
Narrator: for next 40 years,
399
00:22:12,733 --> 00:22:16,267
The engineers wrestle
With a problem.
400
00:22:16,267 --> 00:22:18,467
If the rest of the bridge
Collapses,
401
00:22:18,467 --> 00:22:22,067
It could create
An environmental disaster,
402
00:22:22,067 --> 00:22:25,300
Not only blocking
The copper river below
403
00:22:25,300 --> 00:22:27,256
But poisoning its waters
With its lead coating.
404
00:22:27,256 --> 00:22:28,000
But poisoning its waters
With its lead coating.
405
00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,900
The engineers are torn
Between repairing
406
00:22:32,900 --> 00:22:35,200
Or demolishing the bridge.
407
00:22:35,200 --> 00:22:39,633
But its fate is determined
By pure economics.
408
00:22:39,633 --> 00:22:44,300
Borer:
It was less expensive to repair
It than it was to take it out.
409
00:22:44,300 --> 00:22:47,200
An excess of $100 million
Was estimated
410
00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:49,133
To take the bridge out,
411
00:22:49,133 --> 00:22:55,300
And they spent $17 million
On phase one to fix the bridge.
412
00:22:55,300 --> 00:22:57,256
Narrator: in 2004, work begins
To rebuild the damaged pier
413
00:22:57,256 --> 00:22:58,000
Narrator: in 2004, work begins
To rebuild the damaged pier
414
00:23:00,133 --> 00:23:05,100
And raise the fallen span
Back into place.
415
00:23:05,100 --> 00:23:06,800
But despite the repairs,
416
00:23:06,800 --> 00:23:10,567
The bridge is redundant
As the highway it serves
417
00:23:10,567 --> 00:23:13,167
Can no longer reach it.
418
00:23:13,167 --> 00:23:17,300
The miles glacier bridge
Is abandoned.
419
00:23:20,900 --> 00:23:24,200
Today the bridge serves
No purpose,
420
00:23:24,200 --> 00:23:26,333
But remains a tourist attraction
421
00:23:26,333 --> 00:23:27,256
As well as being an
Environmental ticking time bomb.
422
00:23:27,256 --> 00:23:28,000
As well as being an
Environmental ticking time bomb.
423
00:23:31,500 --> 00:23:33,433
It requires upkeep.
424
00:23:33,433 --> 00:23:35,733
It's too expensive
To get rid of,
425
00:23:35,733 --> 00:23:37,833
So what are you
Gonna do with it?
426
00:23:37,833 --> 00:23:39,400
Today the million dollar bridge
427
00:23:39,400 --> 00:23:42,533
Is literally
A bridge to nowhere.
428
00:23:42,533 --> 00:23:48,167
*
429
00:23:48,167 --> 00:23:53,067
Deep in the forests of upstate
New york, hides a remote island
430
00:23:53,067 --> 00:23:57,256
And on it what appears to be
The remnants of a mighty castle.
431
00:23:57,256 --> 00:23:57,833
And on it what appears to be
The remnants of a mighty castle.
432
00:23:57,833 --> 00:23:58,000
*
433
00:24:02,733 --> 00:24:04,167
What is it doing here?
434
00:24:04,167 --> 00:24:08,467
And why has it been forgotten?
435
00:24:08,467 --> 00:24:11,200
When you first see these ruins
It looks like
436
00:24:11,200 --> 00:24:17,133
Just another castle
Over a brooding scottish loch.
437
00:24:17,133 --> 00:24:20,533
The site
Sprawls across the island.
438
00:24:20,533 --> 00:24:24,300
Concealed amongst its trees
Are multiple turrets
439
00:24:24,300 --> 00:24:26,300
Of a derelict castle.
440
00:24:26,300 --> 00:24:27,256
But hidden in this carcass
Are clues to its real function.
441
00:24:27,256 --> 00:24:28,000
But hidden in this carcass
Are clues to its real function.
442
00:24:33,667 --> 00:24:35,133
Gough: so what is its purpose?
443
00:24:35,133 --> 00:24:40,667
The giveaway is in the letter
Along one of its walls.
444
00:24:43,300 --> 00:24:45,833
Narrator: what was this
Impressive fortification
445
00:24:45,833 --> 00:24:49,067
Trying to protect?
446
00:24:49,067 --> 00:24:51,667
And why was it abandoned?
447
00:24:54,133 --> 00:24:57,256
In 1900, the the center
Of new york city,
448
00:24:57,256 --> 00:24:58,000
In 1900, the the center
Of new york city,
449
00:24:58,067 --> 00:25:01,667
Millionaire businessman
Francis bannerman vi
450
00:25:01,667 --> 00:25:06,667
Runs a successful
Military surplus empire.
451
00:25:06,667 --> 00:25:11,433
He needs a warehouse big enough
To house his explosive supplies,
452
00:25:11,433 --> 00:25:15,067
Including some
30 million munition cartridges
453
00:25:15,067 --> 00:25:18,800
Left over from
The spanish-american war.
454
00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:21,233
The city did not want him
To store black powder there
455
00:25:21,233 --> 00:25:24,267
Because it's very, very volatile
And just a small cup
456
00:25:24,267 --> 00:25:27,256
Could blow up
An entire building.
457
00:25:27,256 --> 00:25:28,000
Could blow up
An entire building.
458
00:25:28,167 --> 00:25:31,600
Narrator: 50 miles up the
Hudson river from new york city
459
00:25:31,600 --> 00:25:33,733
Is the solution --
460
00:25:33,733 --> 00:25:36,633
Pollepel island.
461
00:25:36,633 --> 00:25:40,733
Bannerman buys the rocky land
For $600
462
00:25:40,733 --> 00:25:42,933
And creates a series
Of structures
463
00:25:42,933 --> 00:25:45,500
To house his dangerous supplies,
464
00:25:45,500 --> 00:25:49,067
Which evolve into
This mighty fortress --
465
00:25:49,067 --> 00:25:51,533
Bannerman's island arsenal,
466
00:25:51,533 --> 00:25:56,400
Better known
As bannerman's castle.
467
00:25:56,400 --> 00:25:57,256
Gough:
This is no scottish castle.
468
00:25:57,256 --> 00:25:58,000
Gough:
This is no scottish castle.
469
00:25:58,933 --> 00:26:04,500
It's no british stately home
Or ruined french château.
470
00:26:04,500 --> 00:26:09,233
This is an ammunition warehouse.
471
00:26:09,233 --> 00:26:12,433
Narrator: it is close enough to
New york to carry on business
472
00:26:12,433 --> 00:26:17,467
And where his lethal catalog
Of goods won't pose a threat.
473
00:26:18,567 --> 00:26:21,900
Placing his own, unique stamp
On the island,
474
00:26:21,900 --> 00:26:24,867
Bannerman turns
His hand to design.
475
00:26:27,133 --> 00:26:27,256
He was an amateur architect.
There were no blueprints.
476
00:26:27,256 --> 00:26:28,000
He was an amateur architect.
There were no blueprints.
477
00:26:29,867 --> 00:26:32,767
He actually drew
On napkins and on paper.
478
00:26:32,767 --> 00:26:34,467
And when he built
Something he said,
479
00:26:34,467 --> 00:26:36,067
"I want you to build
It up to here,"
480
00:26:36,067 --> 00:26:38,267
And if he didn't like it
He would say, "Break it up"
481
00:26:38,267 --> 00:26:39,933
And put another window
In or something,
482
00:26:39,933 --> 00:26:44,867
And the whole place
Was built like that.
483
00:26:44,867 --> 00:26:48,367
Narrator:
Work starts in spring, 1901,
484
00:26:48,367 --> 00:26:50,567
Blasting away tons of rock
485
00:26:50,567 --> 00:26:54,833
To create a level platform
For a 3-story warehouse.
486
00:26:56,567 --> 00:26:57,256
As business booms, so too does
Bannerman's island creation.
487
00:26:57,256 --> 00:26:58,000
As business booms, so too does
Bannerman's island creation.
488
00:27:02,300 --> 00:27:07,200
In 1905 he constructs two
More buildings and a harbor wall
489
00:27:07,200 --> 00:27:12,967
To receive and store
His expanding arms empire.
490
00:27:12,967 --> 00:27:16,333
But rather than designing them
In a simple fashion,
491
00:27:16,333 --> 00:27:22,067
Instead he draws on his scottish
Heritage for inspiration.
492
00:27:22,067 --> 00:27:25,600
Gough: why did bannerman design
The building like he did?
493
00:27:25,600 --> 00:27:26,767
Well, he was a proud scot,
494
00:27:26,767 --> 00:27:27,256
And he was paying homage
To his homeland.
495
00:27:27,256 --> 00:27:28,000
And he was paying homage
To his homeland.
496
00:27:28,933 --> 00:27:31,600
So anything he'd use to make
The structure look
497
00:27:31,600 --> 00:27:36,100
Sort of castle-esque,
That's what he wanted to do.
498
00:27:36,100 --> 00:27:39,633
Narrator: his building methods
Are anything but ordinary.
499
00:27:39,633 --> 00:27:43,700
To create the harbor, he sinks
Multiple barges filled with junk
500
00:27:43,700 --> 00:27:47,533
And rubble
To act as foundations.
501
00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:50,167
Frank bannerman was
A practical businessman
502
00:27:50,167 --> 00:27:52,900
Who made his fortune
Selling junk.
503
00:27:52,900 --> 00:27:53,867
What does that mean?
504
00:27:53,867 --> 00:27:55,867
It means he never
Wasted a thing.
505
00:27:55,867 --> 00:27:57,256
If he couldn't sell it,
He used it --
506
00:27:57,256 --> 00:27:57,900
If he couldn't sell it,
He used it --
507
00:27:57,900 --> 00:27:58,000
Old bed stands,
Pieces of battleship,
508
00:28:00,433 --> 00:28:04,300
He used them
To reinforce his building.
509
00:28:05,700 --> 00:28:08,100
Narrator: his unconventional
Approach to building
510
00:28:08,100 --> 00:28:13,067
Also extends to all
The structures on the island.
511
00:28:13,067 --> 00:28:14,700
Agrawal: when you think
About the way this building's
512
00:28:14,700 --> 00:28:16,133
Actually been put together,
513
00:28:16,133 --> 00:28:20,467
Which is a complete mishmash of
All kinds of different materials
514
00:28:20,467 --> 00:28:23,167
With a bit of brick and
A very thin layer of concrete
515
00:28:23,167 --> 00:28:24,867
Actually surrounding that --
516
00:28:24,867 --> 00:28:27,256
I mean, that sounds
Questionable enough
517
00:28:27,256 --> 00:28:27,333
I mean, that sounds
Questionable enough
518
00:28:27,333 --> 00:28:28,000
For someone to live
In or to reside in,
519
00:28:29,967 --> 00:28:32,333
But then you put
Explosives in there,
520
00:28:32,333 --> 00:28:36,333
And I think that's, quite
Frankly, a terrible idea.
521
00:28:40,767 --> 00:28:45,067
Will bannerman's explosives
Destroy his castle?
522
00:28:45,067 --> 00:28:48,800
And why was it abandoned?
523
00:28:51,800 --> 00:28:52,000
*
524
00:28:58,100 --> 00:29:03,067
Narrator:
50 miles from new york city
On an island on the hudson river
525
00:29:03,067 --> 00:29:08,967
Is the mysterious and
Abandoned bannerman's castle.
526
00:29:08,967 --> 00:29:13,233
But back in 1908,
It stored one of the largest
527
00:29:13,233 --> 00:29:17,133
Private collections
Of army surplus and ammunition
528
00:29:17,133 --> 00:29:20,333
Ever seen in the united states.
529
00:29:23,833 --> 00:29:26,067
Gough: army surplus stores
Are everywhere today,
530
00:29:26,067 --> 00:29:27,867
But that wasn't
Always the case.
531
00:29:27,867 --> 00:29:29,133
It's thanks to bannerman.
532
00:29:29,133 --> 00:29:30,633
He's the one
Who bought this stuff.
533
00:29:30,633 --> 00:29:34,767
Nobody else cared, and before
Long, hollywood, broadway,
534
00:29:34,767 --> 00:29:38,733
They're turning to him
And him only for their props.
535
00:29:42,567 --> 00:29:44,867
Narrator:
To be closer to his ammunition,
536
00:29:44,867 --> 00:29:50,067
Bannerman moves his family into
His own purpose-built castle.
537
00:29:52,233 --> 00:29:55,233
But the patchwork construction
And the surplus stock
538
00:29:55,233 --> 00:29:59,800
Within lay the foundations
For destruction.
539
00:30:01,667 --> 00:30:05,533
Agrawal:
I love the idea of taking scrap
Bits of metal and material
540
00:30:05,533 --> 00:30:08,367
And making something
Fantastic out of it.
541
00:30:08,367 --> 00:30:10,200
The one thing
I wouldn't recommend
542
00:30:10,200 --> 00:30:12,400
Is doing that
On a structure,
543
00:30:12,400 --> 00:30:14,600
'cause ultimately
If you're gonna live in there
544
00:30:14,600 --> 00:30:15,767
It needs to stand up.
545
00:30:15,767 --> 00:30:18,833
I definitely wouldn't
Want to live there.
546
00:30:18,833 --> 00:30:21,396
Narrator: on august 15, 1920,
Disaster strikes.
547
00:30:21,396 --> 00:30:22,000
Narrator: on august 15, 1920,
Disaster strikes.
548
00:30:24,600 --> 00:30:26,533
His wife was here,
Helen bannerman.
549
00:30:26,533 --> 00:30:29,133
She was up at the residence
Sitting in her hammock,
550
00:30:29,133 --> 00:30:31,067
And as soon as she got up --
551
00:30:31,067 --> 00:30:32,733
She went into the house
To get a cup of tea.
552
00:30:32,733 --> 00:30:36,133
She turned around
And the building blew up...
553
00:30:36,133 --> 00:30:38,300
And a piece of that building
Right in the hammock
554
00:30:38,300 --> 00:30:42,300
Where she was sitting.
555
00:30:42,300 --> 00:30:45,100
Narrator: 200 pounds of black
Powder stored
556
00:30:45,100 --> 00:30:49,933
In the powder house explodes,
Throwing a 25-feet section
557
00:30:49,933 --> 00:30:51,396
Of wall across the river
On to the railway tracks.
558
00:30:51,396 --> 00:30:52,000
Of wall across the river
On to the railway tracks.
559
00:30:55,767 --> 00:30:58,267
But miraculously,
Bannerman's castle
560
00:30:58,267 --> 00:31:03,100
Complex survives the explosion.
561
00:31:03,100 --> 00:31:07,133
For the next 30 years, as
Bannerman's business dwindles,
562
00:31:07,133 --> 00:31:12,800
His island complex
Falls into disrepair
563
00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:15,833
And in 1969 a catastrophic fire
564
00:31:15,833 --> 00:31:20,367
That burns for 3 days
Seals its fate.
565
00:31:20,367 --> 00:31:21,396
Bannerman's castle is abandoned.
566
00:31:21,396 --> 00:31:22,000
Bannerman's castle is abandoned.
567
00:31:23,367 --> 00:31:28,733
*
568
00:31:28,733 --> 00:31:31,933
Today the ruins are
Being stabilized
569
00:31:31,933 --> 00:31:33,200
And bannerman's island
570
00:31:33,200 --> 00:31:38,400
Is becoming a popular
Tourist attraction and venue.
571
00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:41,067
Francis bannerman's
Fantasy castle
572
00:31:41,067 --> 00:31:46,433
Continues to frighten
All those who see it.
573
00:31:46,433 --> 00:31:51,267
Caplan: he left an incredible
Building here, which is an icon.
574
00:31:51,267 --> 00:31:51,396
All over the world people come
And ask about bannerman island.
575
00:31:51,396 --> 00:31:52,000
All over the world people come
And ask about bannerman island.
576
00:31:58,067 --> 00:32:00,567
Gough: clearly, bannerman's
Building is in a state
577
00:32:00,567 --> 00:32:01,567
Of disrepair.
578
00:32:01,567 --> 00:32:04,300
It will require
Millions to restore,
579
00:32:04,300 --> 00:32:06,067
But I think we should
Make the effort
580
00:32:06,067 --> 00:32:08,100
Because this is
A slice of history
581
00:32:08,100 --> 00:32:12,067
That, well, frankly, I don't
Think should be forgotten.
582
00:32:12,067 --> 00:32:21,367
*
583
00:32:21,367 --> 00:32:21,396
Narrator:
Deep beneath a norwegian fjord
584
00:32:21,396 --> 00:32:22,000
Narrator:
Deep beneath a norwegian fjord
585
00:32:23,533 --> 00:32:25,267
Near the port of narvik
586
00:32:25,267 --> 00:32:29,233
Lies a forgotten
Engineering masterpiece.
587
00:32:29,233 --> 00:32:35,933
*
588
00:32:35,933 --> 00:32:39,133
From among the scattered
Debris littering the sea floor,
589
00:32:39,133 --> 00:32:44,200
Rises a corroded bulk
Of metal 37 feet wide.
590
00:32:46,700 --> 00:32:49,100
Bell:
When you first see this massive,
591
00:32:49,100 --> 00:32:51,396
Twisted rusting steel
In the otherwise beautiful
592
00:32:51,396 --> 00:32:52,000
Twisted rusting steel
In the otherwise beautiful
593
00:32:53,600 --> 00:32:56,133
Setting of the norwegian
Fjords you think,
594
00:32:56,133 --> 00:33:01,067
"Hang on -- someone's just
Been dumping junk down here."
595
00:33:01,067 --> 00:33:05,300
Narrator: for over 390 feet,
It climbs towards
596
00:33:05,300 --> 00:33:08,300
The rocky shoreline
Of rombaksfjorden,
597
00:33:08,300 --> 00:33:12,100
Piercing the surface
Of the water.
598
00:33:12,100 --> 00:33:15,733
But something has crushed
And warped this metal.
599
00:33:15,733 --> 00:33:19,433
What force could do that?
600
00:33:19,433 --> 00:33:21,396
Bell: when you get up close
And actually you see
601
00:33:21,396 --> 00:33:22,000
Bell: when you get up close
And actually you see
602
00:33:22,167 --> 00:33:28,567
Just how twisted and mangled
This massive rusty steel is,
603
00:33:28,567 --> 00:33:31,500
You realize it's not just
The roof of someone's shed
604
00:33:31,500 --> 00:33:36,100
That they've lobbed down there
To disintegrate into the sea.
605
00:33:36,100 --> 00:33:40,600
Actually, there's a lot more
Than meets the eye.
606
00:33:40,600 --> 00:33:43,200
Narrator: what is this
Mysterious metal structure
607
00:33:43,200 --> 00:33:47,433
Doing here in the pristine
Nordic wilderness?
608
00:33:47,433 --> 00:33:50,233
And why is it abandoned?
609
00:33:50,233 --> 00:33:51,396
*
610
00:33:51,396 --> 00:33:52,000
*
611
00:33:54,767 --> 00:33:57,933
The answer lies in its history.
612
00:33:57,933 --> 00:34:00,167
On march 1, 1940,
613
00:34:00,167 --> 00:34:03,933
Adolf hitler orders
The invasion of neutral norway,
614
00:34:03,933 --> 00:34:07,067
Intent on obtaining
Essential raw materials
615
00:34:07,067 --> 00:34:10,067
For his growing war machine.
616
00:34:10,067 --> 00:34:13,800
The high-grade iron ore
Flowing from the port of narvik
617
00:34:13,800 --> 00:34:16,467
Is vital to his plans,
618
00:34:16,467 --> 00:34:18,200
But there is a problem.
619
00:34:18,200 --> 00:34:21,396
The large-scale and heavily
Armored british navy
620
00:34:21,396 --> 00:34:21,867
The large-scale and heavily
Armored british navy
621
00:34:21,867 --> 00:34:22,000
Patrol these waters.
622
00:34:24,167 --> 00:34:28,633
To succeed, the germans need
A modern fleet of the fastest
623
00:34:28,633 --> 00:34:33,067
And most maneuverable
Of ships -- destroyers.
624
00:34:34,733 --> 00:34:39,067
They create a warship
That represents
625
00:34:39,067 --> 00:34:43,633
The absolute apogee
Of german technology.
626
00:34:43,633 --> 00:34:49,100
And these destroyers are gonna
Be the best warships on the sea.
627
00:34:50,200 --> 00:34:51,396
Corum: destroyers are not
Mini battleships.
628
00:34:51,396 --> 00:34:52,000
Corum: destroyers are not
Mini battleships.
629
00:34:52,367 --> 00:34:56,067
They are, to some degree,
Expendable weapons
630
00:34:56,067 --> 00:34:58,267
With relatively small crews,
631
00:34:58,267 --> 00:35:01,933
And they're capable of
A multitude of operations.
632
00:35:01,933 --> 00:35:06,333
They're an essential
Part of the navy.
633
00:35:06,333 --> 00:35:10,067
Narrator: the german's ingenious
Solution is this --
634
00:35:10,067 --> 00:35:16,667
A type 1934 destroyers,
the mighty georg thiele.
635
00:35:16,667 --> 00:35:21,396
It is a quantum leap
In warship technology.
636
00:35:21,396 --> 00:35:21,600
It is a quantum leap
In warship technology.
637
00:35:21,600 --> 00:35:22,000
Costing $92 million
In today's money to build,
638
00:35:25,933 --> 00:35:30,767
She enters service in 1937.
639
00:35:30,767 --> 00:35:33,800
bell: the georg thiele wasone of the first of hitler's
640
00:35:33,800 --> 00:35:35,400
New breed of warship
641
00:35:35,400 --> 00:35:38,933
That he believed was gonna
Win him the war in the waves.
642
00:35:38,933 --> 00:35:42,967
It was bigger, it was faster,
And much more heavily armed
643
00:35:42,967 --> 00:35:45,800
Than anything he was
Gonna come up against.
644
00:35:45,800 --> 00:35:51,396
*
645
00:35:51,396 --> 00:35:51,833
*
646
00:35:51,833 --> 00:35:52,000
Narrator: so did this great ship
Turn into a rusting wreck
647
00:35:55,967 --> 00:35:59,200
In this fjord?
648
00:36:01,500 --> 00:36:02,000
*
649
00:36:07,100 --> 00:36:10,633
Narrator: these are remains
of the georg thiele,
650
00:36:10,633 --> 00:36:12,267
One of hitler's destroyers
651
00:36:12,267 --> 00:36:16,733
Spearheading
His invasion of norway.
652
00:36:16,733 --> 00:36:21,500
On april 6, 1940,
georg thiele and 9 other
653
00:36:21,500 --> 00:36:24,067
High-speed destroyers
Head for narvik
654
00:36:24,067 --> 00:36:30,933
With 3,000 elite
Mountain troops on board,
655
00:36:30,933 --> 00:36:31,259
But her design
Is far from perfect.
656
00:36:31,259 --> 00:36:32,000
But her design
Is far from perfect.
657
00:36:35,867 --> 00:36:40,633
The germans build warships
That on paper are excellent,
658
00:36:40,633 --> 00:36:46,400
But on the high seas, they just
Can't perform properly.
659
00:36:46,400 --> 00:36:49,333
narrator: georg thiele's speedis overshadowed
660
00:36:49,333 --> 00:36:51,900
By a key design flaw --
661
00:36:51,900 --> 00:36:57,533
She is too top heavy, making her
Unstable in rough seas.
662
00:36:57,533 --> 00:36:59,733
To avoid the threat
Of capsizing,
663
00:36:59,733 --> 00:37:01,259
Her fuel tanks have to remain
Just 30% full at all times.
664
00:37:01,259 --> 00:37:02,000
Her fuel tanks have to remain
Just 30% full at all times.
665
00:37:06,100 --> 00:37:10,733
And that's not her
Only weakness.
666
00:37:10,733 --> 00:37:12,800
Bell:
They were so heavy at the front.
667
00:37:12,800 --> 00:37:16,067
They'd really dip into the water
In heavy weather
668
00:37:16,067 --> 00:37:19,333
And take on hundreds
Of gallons of water.
669
00:37:19,333 --> 00:37:23,933
The engines were unreliable,
And the guns were too big.
670
00:37:25,833 --> 00:37:29,633
Narrator:
Armed with 5 5-inch guns,
671
00:37:29,633 --> 00:37:31,259
4 37-millimeter
Anti-aircraft guns,
672
00:37:31,259 --> 00:37:32,000
4 37-millimeter
Anti-aircraft guns,
673
00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:38,100
And 8 21-inch torpedo tubes,
674
00:37:38,100 --> 00:37:42,233
This is one fierce
Fighting machine.
675
00:37:43,500 --> 00:37:46,067
On april 10, 1940,
676
00:37:46,067 --> 00:37:50,567
Georg thiele and the
nine destroyers attack.
677
00:37:53,933 --> 00:37:58,667
They actually very successfully
Landed in a surprise attack
678
00:37:58,667 --> 00:38:01,259
On narvik,
Landed their invasion force,
679
00:38:01,259 --> 00:38:02,000
On narvik,
Landed their invasion force,
680
00:38:03,067 --> 00:38:07,133
Which fairly quickly
Seized the railhead
681
00:38:07,133 --> 00:38:08,600
And the town of narvik,
682
00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:12,433
Drove out
The defending norwegians.
683
00:38:12,433 --> 00:38:16,267
Narrator: but their victory
Is short-lived.
684
00:38:16,267 --> 00:38:21,500
A royal navy attack force
Thunders in to retake narvik.
685
00:38:22,800 --> 00:38:26,067
They're coming with these highly
Tuned german sports cars
686
00:38:26,067 --> 00:38:27,367
Of destroyers,
687
00:38:27,367 --> 00:38:29,733
And they're coming up
Against these clunky
688
00:38:29,733 --> 00:38:31,259
Royal navy
Land rover destroyers.
689
00:38:31,259 --> 00:38:32,000
Royal navy
Land rover destroyers.
690
00:38:32,367 --> 00:38:37,867
And the germans --
They fight very well.
691
00:38:37,867 --> 00:38:40,967
Narrator: the georg
Thiele unleashes hell,
692
00:38:40,967 --> 00:38:45,200
Taking out one
Of the royal navy destroyers,
693
00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:47,800
But in the narrow confines
Of the fjord,
694
00:38:47,800 --> 00:38:52,400
She can't use her superior speed
And firepower to her advantage,
695
00:38:52,400 --> 00:38:56,067
Suffering seven major hits
In the process.
696
00:38:56,067 --> 00:39:01,259
14 of her 325-man crew
Are killed.
697
00:39:01,259 --> 00:39:01,467
14 of her 325-man crew
Are killed.
698
00:39:05,067 --> 00:39:07,400
You're operating
An impossible situation.
699
00:39:07,400 --> 00:39:09,067
You're in an enclosed area,
700
00:39:09,067 --> 00:39:11,167
You can't effectively
Use your torpedos,
701
00:39:11,167 --> 00:39:15,600
And the british
Have brought in cruisers.
702
00:39:15,600 --> 00:39:18,900
Narrator: british firepower
Sends six german destroyers
703
00:39:18,900 --> 00:39:21,133
To the bottom of the fjord.
704
00:39:21,133 --> 00:39:24,100
Trapped,
Low on ammunition and fuel,
705
00:39:24,100 --> 00:39:29,900
The surviving
German destroyers flee.
706
00:39:29,900 --> 00:39:31,259
but the georg thielestands defiant.
707
00:39:31,259 --> 00:39:32,000
but the georg thielestands defiant.
708
00:39:33,200 --> 00:39:36,967
She fires her last torpedo
As british destroyer
709
00:39:36,967 --> 00:39:41,400
hms eskimo closes in.
710
00:39:41,400 --> 00:39:47,467
georg thiele last torpedoblow the bow off the eskimo.
711
00:39:47,467 --> 00:39:51,867
*
712
00:39:51,867 --> 00:39:56,667
Britain's navy turns its sights
on the georg thiele.
713
00:39:56,667 --> 00:40:00,700
She is badly damaged
And has no escape.
714
00:40:03,133 --> 00:40:06,233
Bell: so, the only option
They had to ram their ship
715
00:40:06,233 --> 00:40:08,967
As fast as they could
On to the shore.
716
00:40:08,967 --> 00:40:14,000
That would allow their crew
Some chance of escape on to land
717
00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:17,267
And would effectively
Scuttle the ship.
718
00:40:18,967 --> 00:40:23,267
Narrator: the georg
thiele hits the shoreat nearly 40 knots,
719
00:40:23,267 --> 00:40:26,733
Beaching herself
On rombaksfjorden.
720
00:40:26,733 --> 00:40:30,867
*
721
00:40:30,867 --> 00:40:31,259
Bell: what a sight
That must have been.
722
00:40:31,259 --> 00:40:32,000
Bell: what a sight
That must have been.
723
00:40:33,500 --> 00:40:36,667
It's pretty much a third of
The ship that made its way up on
724
00:40:36,667 --> 00:40:41,067
To land to allow its crew
Some chance of escape.
725
00:40:41,067 --> 00:40:45,133
But just a phenomenal sacrifice
That those captains made of --
726
00:40:45,133 --> 00:40:46,467
Of the technology
727
00:40:46,467 --> 00:40:49,867
And, potentially,
Of their crew as well.
728
00:40:51,833 --> 00:40:54,200
Narrator: with the fate
Of the ship sealed,
729
00:40:54,200 --> 00:40:57,867
The crew escape into
The surrounding hills.
730
00:40:57,867 --> 00:41:01,259
Breaking in two, her stern sinks
Deep into the rombaksfjorden
731
00:41:01,259 --> 00:41:02,000
Breaking in two, her stern sinks
Deep into the rombaksfjorden
732
00:41:02,867 --> 00:41:06,667
While the bow rolls
Onto its side.
733
00:41:08,167 --> 00:41:13,333
This german war machine
Now lies mangled and abandoned.
734
00:41:13,333 --> 00:41:17,733
*
735
00:41:17,733 --> 00:41:22,567
Today the twisted steel plate
of georg thiele still lie
736
00:41:22,567 --> 00:41:25,933
In their norweigian backwater.
737
00:41:25,933 --> 00:41:30,167
Never able to unleash her
Superior speed, maneuverability,
738
00:41:30,167 --> 00:41:31,259
And firepower,
739
00:41:31,259 --> 00:41:31,667
And firepower,
740
00:41:31,667 --> 00:41:32,000
She was ultimately
Defeated by the british,
741
00:41:34,867 --> 00:41:39,067
And the surroundings
Finished her off.
742
00:41:39,067 --> 00:41:41,733
Bell: well, in another 20,
30 years or so
743
00:41:41,733 --> 00:41:45,100
It's likely what's left
Will disintegrate
744
00:41:45,100 --> 00:41:47,067
And slip further down
745
00:41:47,067 --> 00:41:49,433
And finally come to rest
On the seabed,
746
00:41:49,433 --> 00:41:51,900
Joining its sister ships
Down there.
747
00:41:51,900 --> 00:41:57,467
Maybe that is a more fitting end
To the last remaining survivor
748
00:41:57,467 --> 00:42:00,233
Of hitler's lost-vanished fleet.
60512
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