Ep 5. Secrets of the Civil War

In the fifth episode of Drain the Oceans season 2, titled Secrets of the Civil War, viewers are taken to the battlefield sites of the American Civil War to uncover the secrets of this pivotal period in history. The episode focuses on the naval battles fought on the rivers and coasts of the southern states and examines how the war was won or lost based on the seas.

Using state-of-the-art technology, including underwater drones and 3D mapping, the show explores the sunken wrecks of the Union and Confederate fleets. As the water slowly evaporates, viewers are given a glimpse into the hidden wrecks and the stories they have to tell.

The episode begins at Charleston Harbor, where the Confederate submarine, H.L. Hunley, was lost after sinking a Union warship in 1864. The submarine was the first to successfully sink an enemy warship in battle, but its fate has long been a mystery. The show uses advanced computer graphics and historical records to recreate the attack and reveals what caused the submarine to sink with all its crew. The team also investigates the wreckage of the USS Housatonic, the warship that was sunk, to provide a unique insight into the final minutes of the battle.

The team then moves to Memphis, Tennessee, where the Union riverside fleet was assembled in 1862. The fleet was designed to control the lower Mississippi and cut off Confederate supply routes, but this led to fierce resistance from Confederate gunboats. The show uses 3D mapping to reveal the locations of both Union and Confederate vessels, and explores the tactics used by the Union fleet to finally gain control of the Mississippi.

Next, the show examines the naval battle that took place at Mobile Bay, Alabama, in 1864. The Union fleet, commanded by Admiral David Farragut, was tasked with defeating the Confederate forts that protected the bay. The show studies the wreckages of the Union ships that were lost in the battle, including the Tecumseh, which hit a mine and sunk almost instantly. The team also examines the wrecks of the Confederate gunboats and the forts they were defending, to uncover the secrets behind Farragut's victory.

Finally, the show looks at the blockade that was established by the Union navy, which prevented essential supplies from reaching the Confederacy. This led to the South's dependence on naval runners, which were used to smuggle supplies into southern ports. The show examines the wreckage of the last Confederate blockade runner, the Mary Celestia, which was sunk off Bermuda in 1864. The team uses 3D mapping to reveal the ship in unprecedented detail and explores the fascinating story of how it was used to smuggle goods past the Union blockade.

Overall, Drain the Oceans season 2, episode 5 provides an in-depth exploration of the naval battles and strategies that played a key role in the American Civil War. By using advanced technology and expert analysis, viewers are given a unique insight into the wrecks that lie beneath the water's surface and the secrets they hold.