National Geographic
Drain the Oceans - Lost Nukes of the Cold War
Disney+

This episode delves into the hidden history of Cold War naval operations, focusing on the wrecks of two submarines: the USS Thresher and the Soviet K-129. The USS Thresher tragically sank during sea trials in 1963 due to a catastrophic implosion caused by a leak in its cooling system and a failure of its buoyancy controls. Dr. Bob Ballard's exploration of the wreck reveals the extent of the damage and the harrowing circumstances leading to the loss of all crew members. The narrative then shifts to the K-129, which sank in 1968 while carrying nuclear missiles. Journalist Josh Dean uncovers images of the wreck and explores the U.S. Navy's attempts to locate and analyze the submarine using a network of underwater microphones. A covert CIA operation called Project Azorian aimed to recover parts of K-129, but ultimately failed, leaving the wreck and its nuclear weapons lost in the depths of the Pacific. The segment highlights the ongoing mysteries and dangers of nuclear submarines during the Cold War, emphasizing the lasting impact of these historical events beneath the ocean's surface.