Ep 2. Shipwrecks!: California

Deep Sea Detectives was an American television show that aired on The History Channel from 2003-2006. The show followed adventurers John Chatterton and Richie Kohler as they explored shipwrecks and other underwater mysteries. In season 1 episode 2, titled "Shipwrecks!: California," the duo heads to the west coast to investigate several wrecks off the coast of California.

The episode begins with Chatterton and Kohler discussing the challenges of diving in California. The water is colder and murkier than the waters they're used to in the Caribbean, and the strong currents can make for difficult diving conditions. Despite the challenges, the two are excited to explore some of California's most famous wrecks.

The first wreck they investigate is that of the USS Moody, a Navy ship that sank during a training exercise in 1942. The Moody's wreck is located just offshore from San Diego, making it a popular dive site for locals. Chatterton and Kohler don their dive gear and descend to the wreck, using a combination of underwater cameras and sonar to map the site. They discover that the Moody's hull is intact, but the ship's superstructure has collapsed and is now scattered across the ocean floor. The pair speculate on what might have caused the ship to sink, discussing everything from mechanical failure to Japanese sabotage.

Next, the duo heads up the coast to investigate the wreck of the SS Dominator, a cargo ship that ran aground just south of San Francisco during World War II. The Dominator's wreck has been a popular dive site since it sank, but Chatterton and Kohler are determined to learn more about the ship's history and why it ran aground. They interview local divers who have explored the wreck before, as well as historians who have researched the ship's history. They learn that the Dominator was carrying a cargo of explosives when it hit the rocks, leading to a massive explosion that killed several crew members. Chatterton and Kohler use their dive gear and underwater cameras to explore the wreck, finding evidence of the explosion and investigating the ship's cargo holds.

The final wreck explored in the episode is that of the USS Independence, a Navy aircraft carrier that was intentionally sunk off the coast of San Francisco in 1951. The Independence was used as a test site for nuclear weapons during the Cold War, and the Navy eventually decided to sink the ship instead of trying to dispose of the radioactive waste on board. Chatterton and Kohler are fascinated by the Independence's history and the challenges of diving on a radioactive wreck. They use specialized equipment to measure radiation levels as they explore the ship, finding evidence of the carrier's past as a test site.

Throughout the episode, Chatterton and Kohler highlight the importance of understanding the history of these wrecks and preserving them for future generations. They also emphasize the dangers of diving on old wrecks, especially those like the Independence that may be contaminated with hazardous materials.

"Shipwrecks!: California" is a fascinating look at some of the most famous wrecks off the coast of California and the challenges of exploring them. Chatterton and Kohler's passion for underwater exploration and their dedication to preserving history make for an engaging and informative hour of television.