:06:54
As we get closer to Alcatraz...
:06:56
notice the treacherous currents
around the island...
:06:59
rendering it virtually escape-proof.
:07:02
The water temperature is usually
around 50 degrees.
:07:06
In its 29 years as a federal penitentiary...
:07:10
the one thing that obsessed its prisoners
and plagued its wardens was escape.
:07:15
In 1936, the first escape attempt...
:07:18
was made by a prisoner
who was almost into the Bay...
:07:20
before he was discovered.
:07:22
In 1937, two prisoners
actually got off the island.
:07:27
Because of the dense fog
and strong tides...
:07:30
it's assumed
that they were washed out to sea.
:07:33
There has never been
a trace of them found.
:07:36
On June 12, 1962...
:07:38
three men dug their way
out of the cellblock using small teaspoons.
:07:43
They left dummies, which they had
created, in their cells...
:07:47
and managed to get off the island.
:07:48
They have never been heard of since.
:07:51
How did you make it, Walker?
:07:53
In 1946...
:07:54
the historic Battle of Alcatraz took place.
:07:58
Two convicts had managed
to overpower their guards...