Ep 10. Mysteries Of The China Seas

Mysteries of the China Seas is the tenth and final episode of the first season of Drain the Oceans. In this episode, the audience is taken on a journey beneath the seas of China to uncover some of the greatest mysteries that have occurred in its oceans. China has one of the longest coastlines in the world, and its seas have been the backdrop of numerous historical events, from the rise and fall of dynasties to epic naval battles, to territorial disputes, and many more.

The show starts by examining the formation of one of the largest and most beautiful geological wonders in the world, the Guilin karst formations. Millions of years ago, parts of China's coast were under the ocean and mineral-rich sediment formed into mountains. As the mountains grew, they also sank beneath the waves, creating underwater caves and tunnels that are now home to an incredible diversity of life forms.

Next, the show explores the infamous pirate Cheung Po Tsai, who was feared throughout the South China Sea in the early 19th century. Cheung Po Tsai led a fleet of pirate ships and amassed incredible wealth during his reign. The program dives deep into the waters off the coast of Hong Kong to explore the rocky outcrop where Cheung Po Tsai reportedly hid his treasure.

Drain the Oceans then shifts focus to the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, which saw China and Japan fighting for supremacy in the Korean Peninsula. In one decisive battle during this war, most of the Chinese fleet was destroyed, and their flagship, the Dingyuan, sank to the ocean floor. The show investigates the wreck and uncovers new evidence about the events leading to its sinking.

From here, the show turns its attention to an ancient mystery from the Han Dynasty. In 118 BC, Emperor Wu of Han sent out an enormous fleet of ships on a diplomatic mission to the West. The fleet never returned, triggering speculation about what could have befallen them. Drain the Oceans uses cutting-edge technology to reveal the fate of the lost fleet and sheds light on the motives and ambitions of the Han Dynasty.

The final segment of the show delves into the most significant maritime disaster in Chinese history - the sinking of the steamship SS Kiangya in 1948. The ship, which was overloaded with passengers and cargo, hit a mine in the Yangtze River and sank in just three minutes, with only a handful of survivors. The show uncovers new evidence about the disaster and the lengths to which the Chinese government went to keep it secret.

As always, the show uses the latest scientific techniques and underwater technology to reveal new insights into these mysteries and to bring them to life with stunning visual effects. The program features interviews with experts in archaeology, marine biology, and history to provide a thorough and informative account of these fascinating stories. Drain the Oceans: Mysteries of the China Seas is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history and secrets of China's seas.