Josh Gates Found Something TERRIFYING At The Tunnels Of Alcatraz | Expedition Unknown

supposed to be inescapable. 55 years ago this month, three men pulled off the impossible, breaking out of Alcatraz.
The infamous cells, normally off limits to the public, where the trio of bank robbers began their monthslong plot.
Josh Gates made a horrifying discovery in Alcatraz’s dark, twisting tunnels that revealed more about three worldrenowned criminals daring escape attempt. The legends say that these brutal criminals planned a brave escape from the most secure prison in the US at the time, Alcatraz. Why are experts terrified by the sounds coming from those tunnels?
Let us explore the reason behind why Alcatraz prison is not as empty as it seems. Josh Gates, adventure from Amelia Heheart to Alcatraz. Since 2015, the American explorer and television host Josh Gates has guided viewers around the globe on his show Expedition Unknown. Initially aired on the Travel Channel and later shifted to the Discovery Channel in 2018. Gates has demonstrated an unyielding determination to explore every challenge regardless of its complexity or location. His adventures range widely from tracing the final steps of Amelia Heheart in Papua New Guinea to hunting for the lost flagship of Captain Henry Morgan, a notorious pirate and later leftenant governor of Jamaica in the waters of Panama. These travels reflect Gates’s dedication to uncovering compelling historical and cultural stories. Now Gates turns his attention closer to home, choosing to explore significant locations within the United States. His current destination is Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, famously known as The Rock. This island, first built as a fort in 1850, later served as a military prison and eventually as a federal penitentiary by 1934.
It became renowned for housing some of the most infamous criminals and was considered nearly impossible to escape from due to its high security and isolation. Alcatraz captures the imagination not just because of its historical importance, but also due to the notorious escape attempt in 1962 by three prisoners.
This bold escape effort has left many people both intrigued and skeptical about the feasibility and outcome of such an audacious act. Gates exploration seeks to retrace the escapees possible routes and delve into the conditions and security measures that made Alcatraz feared and respected as a maximum security prison.
The intrigue of Alcatraz lies in its dual identity, a place of undeniable historical significance and a symbol of extreme human endeavor against adversity. The prison had an exceptionally high ratio of guards to prisoners, emphasizing its status as a top security facility. Yet, the stories of those who lived and worked there speak to more personal and human aspects of life on Alcatraz.
These accounts reveal the daily realities behind the fortified walls.
From the stringent routines to the personal challenges faced by inmates and staff alike. The extreme security measures and the isolated setting of Alcatraz Island were thought to be more than enough to discourage any inmate from thinking about escaping.
Positioned in the middle of the frigid and turbulent waters of San Francisco Bay, the island itself was a natural barrier, making any attempt at freedom a formidable challenge. The notorious reputation of Alcatraz as the most secure prison in America was built on this nearly impenetrable natural defense along with its intense security protocols during its three decades of operation.
However, despite these formidable obstacles, the prison eventually had to close due to significant damage caused by decades of saltwater exposure, which eroded the structure’s stability. In spite of the daunting odds, a few prisoners dared to defy the odds. Among them was John Paul Scott, known for his conviction as a bank robber, who is remembered for his bold escape, where he managed to swim to the shores of San Francisco. Yet the harsh reality of his physical condition after the swim, weakened by extreme cold and exhaustion, led to his quick recapture. His failed attempt is a stark illustration of the harsh challenges faced by those trying to escape, showcasing both the physical and mental barriers that Alcatraz imposed on its inmates.
The story of Alcatraz is punctuated by the infamous escape attempt in the summer of 1962 by inmates Frank Morris, John Angland, and Clarence Anglin. The dreary and oppressive environment of Alcatraz had become unbearable for them. Over 6 months, they meticulously prepared for their escape.
They cleverly widened the ventilation ducts under their sinks using tools made from discarded saw blades and metal spoons. They also crafted life jackets and a makeshift raft from approximately 50 raincoats that they had either stolen or been given by fellow inmates. Their preparations culminated in a daring escape under the cover of darkness on June 11th, 1962. Their escape was not just a flight from physical confinement, but a profound statement against the dehumanizing conditions of Alcatraz.
It highlighted the ingenuity and determination of the human spirit when faced with oppressive circumstances. The preparation for the escape involved not only physical labor but also a psychological battle as the inmates had to maintain hope and sanity in an environment designed to crush both. The waters surrounding Alcatraz played a dual role. On one hand, they served as a cold, formidable barrier that reinforced the inmate’s imprisonment. On the other, they represented the last hurdle in a long and perilous path toward freedom. The narrative of these escape attempts from Alcatraz speaks volumes about the human desire for freedom and the extreme lengths to which people will go to achieve it. It also reflects on the prison systems efforts to maintain total control, often pushing individuals to the brink of desperation. As Alcatraz’s history comes alive, Gates digs deeper into the escape attempts, showing the strong human spirit against the prison’s tough defenses. Guards shocked by empty cells and fake heads. In examining these escape attempts, one cannot help but reflect on the broader implications of such high security confinement. The stories of Alcatraz not only explore the technical and physical aspects of the escapes, but also delve into the psychological impact of extreme isolation and security on human behavior.
The prison’s history is a complex tapestry of human resilience and systemic harshness, offering a stark look at the balance between security measures and basic human rights. Through these stories, Alcatraz remains a symbol of ultimate confinement and the relentless human pursuit of freedom, providing a deeper understanding of the limits of human endurance and the power of hope. Picture the guards at Alcatraz finding homemade dummies in the cells instead of prisoners. The shock and confusion of such a discovery would have stirred a mix of anger and frustration among them. Despite many people claiming to have seen the escaped prisoners living freely, the authorities continuously failed to locate these individuals or find any solid leads. This failure adds a layer of complexity to the case as decades later it remains unresolved. Years later, the fascination with this escape continues to attract individuals like Josh, who visits the abandoned prison with a keen interest in exploring this unresolved event. The idea of tracing the steps of the escaped prisoners, understanding their motives and methods, and possibly uncovering missed clues, offers a thrilling challenge. Upon reaching Alcatraz, wrapped in fog and carrying an aura of desolation, Josh’s visit becomes more than just a simple tour. It transforms into an investigation into one of the most puzzling escape attempts from a high security facility led into the main cell house. Josh travels through the space between cell blocks B and C, reaching a corridor known as Broadway, which once resonated with the footsteps of inmates and guards alike.
As Josh proceeds, he gains insights into the numerous challenges the inmates faced. Escaping from Alcatraz was not merely about evading guards or climbing walls. It involved planning around the harsh environmental conditions, the cold, strong currents of the surrounding waters, and the strategic architecture of the prison itself. The complexity of escaping highlighted the desperation and determination of those who dared to try.
The prison guards, both past and present, might have often pondered over these escapes. They would consider the thoroughess of the inmates plans, the risks they took, and the sheer willpower needed to attempt such a daring escape. The guards would evaluate their own roles in this elaborate game of cat and mouse, perhaps questioning how such an audacious plan came so close to success under their supervision. Each new visitor to Alcatraz, like Josh, walks through a site steeped in stories of audacity and unresolved questions.
These visitors often leave with a profound sense of curiosity, pondering over the same unsolved details that have eluded so many. The silence of the walls, the eerie calm of the surrounding waters, and the legendary tales of escape, all combined to create an experience filled with curiosity and an unending trail of questions.
Josh’s guide explained that one of the main difficulties for prisoners at Alcatraz was the tough structure of steel and concrete. This material made the prison extremely hard to break out of, ensuring that inmates served their full sentences, often under very harsh conditions. The prison was originally built in the 1850s and was known for being the largest building made of steel reinforced concrete at the time. This design was intentional to keep the most dangerous individuals in America under strict confinement, either until they changed their ways or for some until they faced execution for their crimes. The level of security at Alcatraz was unprecedented. The prison maintained the highest number of guards relative to the number of prisoners in the whole country. With more than 60 guards stationed, especially in the guard towers, it was almost unthinkable for anyone to escape by going over the walls. This overwhelming security might have pushed the inmates to consider alternative escape routes, like digging tunnels. It highlights their extreme desperation to escape from a lifelong confinement in such a formidable facility. During his visit, Josh was eager to see the actual cells of those who had dared to escape. His tour began with the cell of Frank Morris, who was considered the mastermind behind the daring escape plan. Remarkably, Morris’s cell was kept exactly as it was on the night of their escape on June 11th, 1962. This preservation serves as a vivid illustration of the events significance to the history of federal prisons in the US. The cell still housed the papermâé dummy head used by Morris to trick the guards into thinking he was asleep in his bed while he and his accompllices made their getaway. This meticulous preservation of the cell reflects the prison authorities intent to showcase the lengths to which they would go to maintain a facade of absolute security and control. For visitors like Josh, it offered a tangible connection to the past, bringing to life the extraordinary measures inmates considered in their quest for freedom. The dummy in the cell is not just a representation of the escape. It stands as a symbol of the inmate’s cunning and resourcefulness under oppressive conditions. The escape from Alcatraz remains a significant part of its legacy, embodying the human spirit struggle against extreme adversity.
It prompts visitors to ponder the physical and mental challenges these inmates face daily. The escape attempt not only speaks to the ingenuity and desperation of the prisoners, but also to the almost insurmountable obstacles they had to overcome. The prison’s daunting architecture combined with the stringent security measures made Alcatraz one of the most secure and formidable prisons in American history.
Walking through Alcatraz, Gates gets closer to understanding those who tried to escape, offering a look into their desperate fight for freedom. Life in a tiny cell. The Angland brothers story. Visiting these sites, individuals like Josh gain deeper insights into what life and conditions were like at Alcatraz. They learn about the intense security measures, the solid structure, and the daily realities of the inmates.
This understanding fosters a greater appreciation for the historical and cultural significance of Alcatraz, not only as a site of confinement, but also as a place where the will to escape and the drive for freedom were tested to their limits. This reflection on history is crucial for comprehending the broader implications of such high security prisons on human behavior and societal values.
Josh’s visit to Alcatraz unexpectedly took him to the cells previously occupied by John and Clarence Anglin, notably close to the cell of the man believed to be the mastermind behind the notorious escape plan. The closeness of their cells prompted a question. How did these inmates manage to organize an escape under such tight security?
Investigating the background of the prison and its infamous inmates reveals connections that go back to their time in prisons in Florida and Georgia. It’s likely that they started thinking about escaping long before they ended up on this secluded island. As Josh continued his tour, he found himself in the small confined spaces where the Anglin brothers once lived.
The positioning of their cells next to each other under the supervision of Morris, the escape leader, seemed almost too planned. This setup reminded one of their childhood when despite being part of a large impoverished family, the brothers were always together. From a young age, they were known for their closeness, which was evident in their early criminal activities, including bank robberies. This strong bond was clearly unbroken by the walls of Alcatraz.
Entering one of these tiny cells, Josh was momentarily caught up in how well preserved the cell was. His fascination, however, left him vulnerable to a surprising turn of events orchestrated by his tour guide. With a quick signal to a guard, the door of the cell slammed shut, trapping Josh inside. This sudden confinement served as a stark reminder of the reality faced by former inmates.
Over six decades had passed since Alcatraz was decommissioned, and yet here was Josh, unexpectedly experiencing a slice of its storied past. This incident could be seen as an educational twist, albeit a shocking one, meant to provide visitors with a real sense of the historical context of Alcatraz. Josh now found himself in a predicament, potentially needing to secure his release, much like the prisoners who once planned their escape from these very cells. His oversight in not anticipating such a possibility highlighted a naive trust in the tour’s benign nature, an assumption quickly disproven by the day’s events. The historical echoes of Alcatraz, it seemed, were still capable of capturing the unwary visitor, drawing them into a deeper reflection on the harsh realities of prison life on this isolated island. The small size of the prison cells in Alcatraz struck Josh as he toured the facility.
Each cell measured only 9 ft x 5 ft x 7 ft high. A very confined space that would make anyone feel uncomfortable. Considering this, it’s easy to understand why many inmates probably thought about escaping. Being trapped in such a tiny area for years would be unbearable for anyone regardless of their sentence. It’s no surprise that inmates like Morris and the Anglin brothers were driven to spend months slowly chipping away at the walls with inadequate tools. Their determination to expand a ventilation vent and dig a tunnel towards freedom speaks volumes about their desperation to leave. With a clear intention to deepen the story, the tour guide led Josh along the path the prisoners used to escape from their cells on a night in the summer of 1962.
This path was not part of the regular tours offered to the public. Instead, Josh was experiencing a special route, one that only a few know about. This route was revealed after a long 6 months of simple yet effective digging techniques by the inmates. Such access to a hidden part of the prison’s history provided Josh with a unique insight into the lengths to which the inmates went to regain their freedom.
This rare tour highlighted the escape route meticulously carved out by the prisoners, showcasing their relentless pursuit of liberty despite the harsh conditions of their confinement. The exclusive access Josh received allowed him to walk through areas of the prison that are typically hidden from regular tours. This deviation from the standard route provided a deeper understanding of the prison’s history and the extreme measures inmates were willing to take.
As Josh walked the corridor, he could almost feel the silent determination of the inmates who had navigated this route decades ago. Their painstaking efforts to escape from the oppressive environment of Alcatraz, were a testament to human resilience and the intense desire for freedom.
This part of the tour, rich with the echoes of past inmates struggles, was not just a walk through a utility corridor, but a travel through a hidden chapter of Alcatraz’s history, one marked by the tireless efforts and hopes of those confined within its walls. From their cells to the cold waters of San Francisco Bay, the escapees path shows their smart plans and strong will to gain their freedom.
Climbing to freedom Alcatraz corridors, the inmates path to freedom began in their cramped cells, moving through ventilation shafts that led to a seldom used corridor in Alcatraz, touted as the most secure prison in the United States. This specific corridor was rarely patrolled by guards, making it an ideal route for an escape. The obscurity of these prison sections surprised Josh, as these hidden paths within the formidable prison walls were contrary to the prison’s reputation for impenetrable security. Upon reaching the key location where the prisoners had broken through to this less traveled corridor, they used the utility pipes to ascend to an unused area above the cell block. This upper space, hidden from the regular surveillance of the prison, provided a crucial hideout for the inmates. Here, under the cover of an old tarp, they established an improvised workshop. This workshop became the site where they cleverly converted stolen raincoats into a makeshift raft and life preservers, tools essential for their escape plan from the island famously known as The Rock. The space not only served as a workshop but also as a critical resource area. It offered the necessary warmth needed to melt and mold the rubber from the life jackets, transforming them into functional escape gear. Additionally, this area was where they crafted fake heads from papermâé, which were used to trick the guards into thinking the prisoners were still in their beds. These heads were a key element in their strategy, allowing them to work undetected at night. Considering the intricate and daring nature of this escape plan, it is clear that the inmates displayed extraordinary cleverness and determination, the tour guide pointed out the intense focus required to pull off such a complex and risky operation. It was undoubtedly overwhelming for the inmates to consider that after 6 months of risky and painstaking efforts, the hardest part still lay ahead, the actual act of escaping from the legendary Alcatraz.
The psychological strain of knowing each night’s work could be their last, if discovered, added an immense burden to their already difficult task. This escape strategy was not just a testament to their desire to regain freedom. It was a brilliant demonstration of human ingenuity and resilience. The inmates exploited every small advantage they could find, from the aging prison infrastructure to the minimal oversight in certain prison areas. Their plan required not only physical labor to construct the necessary tools and pathways, but also significant mental cunning to coordinate their actions without alerting the prison guards. The story of their escape is a poignant reminder of the depths to which individuals will go to seek freedom. It underscores the profound impact of human willpower and the lengths people will go to change their circumstances even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This elaborate escape from Alcatraz reveals the complexities of the human spirit engaged in the fight for freedom against all odds. Josh’s guide directed his gaze to an opening in the ceiling, revealing their planned route to freedom. The hole they used was not merely a structural floor, but a well-thoughtout escape path leading directly to the roof. This opening marked the beginning of their quest for freedom, acting as a critical juncture in their escape from their cell to the outside world. Once on the roof, their meticulously crafted plan unfolded further as they sprinted across the rooftop to a strategically important drain pipe. This old pipe served as their vertical pathway to the ground. Under the cover of night, burdened with their escape equipment, they descended 30 to 40 ft down the drain pipe. Their exit from the confines of the prison was risky and audacious, a maneuver that many would find too daunting to attempt. The most challenging part of their escape, however, was yet to come. Having managed to evade the immediate barriers of the prison, they next confronted the treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay, their story becomes less clear at this point, as the fate of the escapees is unknown. With no bodies ever found and no definitive evidence of their survival or demise, the outcome of their daring attempt to cross the cold and relentless waters remains open to conjecture.
Josh then turned his attention to a piece of clever deception used by the escapees. Fake vent grates made by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers. These grates played a crucial role in their escape plan by hiding the deteriorating concrete around the air ducts which they would eventually use as their exit route. The precision of these fabricated grates highlighted the thoroughess of their planning process. It was evident that they had invested over 6 months in preparing for their escape. This preparation involved not only the grates, but also a variety of other tools displayed by the guide. Among these were spoons and worn out saw blades repurposed to carve out the tunnels that facilitated their escape.
The ingenuity of these men was further demonstrated by a handmade periscope they crafted to monitor guard movements while they worked on their tunnels.
The detailed planning and execution of their escape plan bear a resemblance to dramatic tales of prison breaks, bringing to mind the intensity and suspense typically found in blockbuster movies about daring prison escapes.
Mixing Alcatraz’s stories with other famous escapes, Gates travels show the human drive for freedom, sharing tales of breaking free from prison. Alan West’s story, the fourth man left behind.
The tour guides enhanced this historical narrative with modern technology through a collaboration with the FBI. They introduced 3D replicas of the original paper-mâé heads the prisoners used to trick the guards, a sophisticated method to cover their absence. This revelation also brought a new detail to light. The escape plan originally included four men, not just three.
This fourth man, Alan West, was born in New York City in the 1920s and had a long history of criminal activities. On the night of the escape, however, he was left behind because the vent in his cell malfunctioned, preventing his participation. Though he was stuck, West did not face additional charges, possibly due to his cooperation with authorities. He disclosed the escapees plan, which was to row 2.4 4 miles from Alcatraz to Traz to Angel Island and from there attempt to reach Marin County, assuming they could survive the cold and hostile waters. Whether any of the escapees successfully reached the shore remains an open question. As Josh explores this historic escape further, he delves into a story that combines careful planning with a desperate bid for freedom. His investigation into Alcatraz’s escape tunnels seeks to shed light on how these prisoners managed to break out of what was considered the most secure prison in the United States.
The story is not just about the physical barriers they overcame, but about the intense preparation and the mental challenges they faced. Josh’s exploration aims to provide a deeper understanding of the strategic methods and desperate measures employed by the prisoners. This tale of escape from Alcatraz serves as a profound example of human resilience and ingenuity, illustrating the lengths to which individuals will go to regain their freedom driven by a blend of hope, desperation, and calculated risk. But the story of Alcatraz is not the only one like it. Throughout history, there have been many notable escapes from prisons. These events have often showcased human ingenuity and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. One such event occurred in the 18th century involving Jack Shepard, a notorious criminal in London. Known for his daring nature, Shepherd managed to escape from prison multiple times, becoming a folk hero in the process. His escapes were often marked by their audacity and creativity.
In one instance, he broke through a ceiling, climbed over several roofs, and descended using a rope made from bedclo. Despite being recaptured several times, Shepherd’s repeated escapes captivated the public and embarrassed the authorities, highlighting the limitations of the prison system at the time. In 1943, the Soibbor extermination camp in Poland saw a significant escape event during World War II. led by Alexander Pachki, a Soviet prisoner of war, and Leyonfeld Hendler, a Polish Jewish inmate. Around 300 prisoners managed to flee the camp. The escape plan involved overpowering the guards and cutting through the barbed wire fences. While many were recaptured or killed, a significant number managed to join partisan groups and fight against the Nazis, highlighting the resilience and courage of those who risked everything for their freedom.
The Libby prison escape in 1864 is another remarkable event in the annals of prison breaks. During the American Civil War, over 100 Union soldiers escaped from Libby prison in Richmond, Virginia. They accomplished this by digging a tunnel from the prison basement to a nearby vacant lot. Despite the risks and harsh conditions, these soldiers showed remarkable resourcefulness and determination.
Many of the escapees managed to make their way back to Union lines, providing a significant morale boost to their comrades and showcasing the indomitable spirit of the human will. In 1983, 38 members of the Irish Republican army managed to escape from the Maze Prison in Northern Ireland, one of the most secure prisons in Europe. This event, known as the Great Escape, involved careful planning and coordination.
The escapees used smuggled weapons to overpower the guards and hijacked a truck to break through the prison gates.
While some were recaptured, many managed to evade capture for years, continuing their activities. This escape demonstrated the ongoing conflict and the determination of the prisoners to fight for their cause despite the odds against them.
The 1979 escape of Assarta Shakur, a member of the Black Liberation Army from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women in New Jersey, is another notable event. Shakur, convicted of several crimes, including the murder of a state trooper, was aided by three armed associates who took two correctional officers hostage. The group commandeered a van and fled the scene.
Shakur eventually made her way to Cuba where she was granted asylum. Her escape and subsequent life in exile have made her a symbol of resistance for many, highlighting the complex interplay between crime, punishment, and political ideology. In 1969, George Blake, a former British spy who was convicted of espionage for the Soviet Union, managed to escape from Wormwood Scrubs prison in London with the help of three men he had befriended. Blake used a rope ladder to climb over the prison wall. He was then smuggled out of the country and eventually made his way to the Soviet Union where he lived out the rest of his life. Blake’s escape not only embarrassed the British authorities, but also underscored the intense geopolitical tensions of the Cold War era. The 1971 escape from Attica Correctional Facility in New York is another significant event involving more than 1,000 inmates. The escape attempt quickly turned into a full-scale riot.
The prisoners took control of the facility, taking several staff members hostage. The standoff lasted for 4 days, ending in a violent and deadly assault by state police. While the escape itself was unsuccessful, the incident brought national attention to the deplorable conditions within the prison system and sparked widespread calls for reform. Did these three criminals really escape Alcatraz? Or is there a hidden truth behind Josh Gates’s eerie discovery?
Could there be more to the story that has been kept from the public? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
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