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GOLD MINING IS A BATTLE.
WE'RE GONNA PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT.
YOU GOT TO FIGHT JUST TO STAY IN BUSINESS.
GIVE ME SOME!
I GOT THE FEVER,
AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS GOLD!
[ FOGHORN BLARES ]
I DON'T WANT THAT GUY DIGGING ON MY HOLE.
IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT. NOT WORTH A [BLEEP] IT AIN'T ALL RIGHT.
[ SCREAMS ]
YOU WANT TO GET IN THE RING WITH ME?
YOU WANT TO ANSWER THE BELL?
[ CLANGING ]
LET THE GAMES BEGIN.
[ "GOLD IN THESE HILLS" PLAYS ]
♪ LISTEN UP CLOSE, NOW ♪
♪ WHAT I SAY ♪
♪ I'M A-GONNA HEAD OUT WEST ONE DAY ♪
♪ I HEARD ABOUT A FORTUNE TO BE MADE ♪
♪ AND I'M A-GONNA GET IT, NOW, JUST YOU WAIT ♪
♪ 'CAUSE I HEARD THAT THERE'S GOLD ♪
♪ IN THESE HILLS ♪
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS
♪ GOLD ♪
Narrator: NOME, ALASKA.
Steve P.: WE GOT THIS GOLD RUSH GOING ON HERE,
AND OF COURSE, THAT BRINGS A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE
THAT GOT GOLD FEVER, BUT NO COMMON SENSE.
THINK WE'RE GONNA HIT SOMEONE'S BOAT?
I GOT IT. SHIP HO!
Narrator: A SHOT AT RICHES HAS THE DOCKS JAMMED
WITH AMATEURS AND PROFESSIONALS, ALIKE.
Emily: THE DREDGING FLEET HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY.
WHEN I WAS FIRST UP HERE,
THERE WERE LIKE FIVE DREDGES OUT IN THE WATER,
AND NOW THERE ARE LIKE CLOSER TO 60.
Vernon: THESE BOATS ARE NOT KNOWN FOR THEIR SEAWORTHINESS.
SOME OF THEM ARE JUST PUT TOGETHER
WITH DUCT TAPE AND BAILING WIRE.
Steve P.: SO NOW THAT BRINGS THE EYES OF THE COAST GUARD UP HERE,
AND RIGHTFULLY SO.
THEY ARE THE GUARDIANS OF THE SEA.
THEY GOT THE TOUGH JOB
OF KEEPING TRACK OF ALL THE GOOFBALLS UP HERE.
Narrator: AT THE DOCK...
[ WHISTLES ] HEY!
...THE COAST GUARD IS GIVING THE AU GRABBER
A TOP-TO-BOTTOM INSPECTION.
I'VE GOT A PRETTY EXTENSIVE CHECKLIST HERE
THAT I'VE ALREADY TAKEN SOME NOTES ON
AS FAR AS WHAT YOU'RE REQUIRED
'CAUSE THIS IS A LITTLE...UNIQUE.
CAPTAIN HANK SCHIMSCHAT DROPPED 600 GRAND
BUILDING HIS MEGA DREDGE,
BUT SO FAR, HE'S BANKED JUST UNDER $5,000 IN GOLD.
DO YOU HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTATION ON BOARD?
THE ROOKIE SKIPPER NEEDS THE INSPECTION TO GO SMOOTHLY
SO HE CAN GET BACK AFTER THE GOLD.
LET'S SEE. RUNNING DOWN THE LIST HERE.
OKAY. SURE.
PFDs ARE DOWN BELOW, RIGHT?
DOWN BELOW, YEP.
I GOT TWO FIRST-AID KITS UP HERE.
DO YOU HAVE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER UP HERE?
I DO.
IS IT GOOD?
YEAH.
YES. BRAND NEW.
IS IT MOUNTED?
YES. IN THE BRACKET.
YEAH, I'M SAFETY CAUTIOUS.
I WANT TO BE READY FOR ANY TYPE OF EMERGENCY WE MAY HAVE.
IT'S A BIG OPERATION, YOU KNOW? IT'S A BIG BOAT.
RIGHT.
DO YOU HAVE SPILL EQUIPMENT?
I DO. I'LL SHOW YOU GUYS.
GO AHEAD. I'LL FOLLOW YOU DOWN.
THIS IS MY SPILL KIT AND STUFF RIGHT HERE.
IT'S GOT THE ABSORBENT PADS.
I GOT THE BIG ABSORBENT PADS. PRETTY EXTENSIVE RIGHT THERE.
YEAH, SO THAT'S GOOD.
[BLEEP] DAMN IT!
UNBELIEVABLE.
NATHAN. GIVE ME A HAND.
DAMN IT!
WHERE THE [BLEEP] IS THIS COMING FROM?
Narrator: DIESEL FUEL IS LEAKING ALL OVER THE DECK...
[BLEEP] UP.
Narrator: ...AND SPILLING INTO THE HARBOR.
[BLEEP] DISASTER.
WHY WOULD THAT [BLEEP] THING DO THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN?!
I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD BE DOING THAT.
I THINK THAT VALVE WAS LEFT OPEN, AND IT JUST FLOWED IN.
UNLESS THAT VALVE IS OPEN, NOTHING GETS FUEL.
AS SOON AS I NOTICED IT, I LOOKED, AND IT WAS OPEN.
AND IT'S LIKE, "[BLEEP] SHUT IT."
I SAID, "HANK, WE GOT A PROBLEM."
I'VE GOT TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL ISOLATOR VALVE ON EVERY OUTLET.
WHOEVER OPENED THAT LEFT IT OPEN AND WALKED AWAY.
BUMMER, BUMMER, BUMMER.
Narrator: HANK FORGOT TO SHUT OFF THE FUEL VALVE THAT FEEDS THE ENGINE,
CAUSING AN OVERFLOW THAT WENT UNNOTICED FOR 10 MINUTES.
THAT'S THE MOST BIZARRE THING EVER.
WELL, WE'VE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL, ANYWAY.
IT'S BEEN SITTING THERE --
IT'S BEEN THREE WEEKS ON THIS BOAT
AND HASN'T DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
Narrator: THE SAFETY INSPECTION IS OVER.
[BLEEP]
FOR NOW, THE AU GRABBER IS GROUNDED.
VERY BAD. VERY, VERY BAD.
Narrator: ACROSS THE HARBOR,
HANK'S COMPETITION, SHAWN POMRENKE,
IS ALREADY HEADING OUT TO THE GROUNDS.
Shawn: LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL DAY TO GO MINING.
PUT SOME DIRT THROUGH THE PLAT, PUT SOME GOLD IN THE BOX.
RIGHT NOW THE ONLY GOAL I'VE GOT IS TO GET OUT OF DEBT.
WE'VE GOT $160,000 BACKHOE COMING AND PROBABLY ANOTHER
$100,000, $200,000 WORTH OF JUST MINING EXPENSES.
Narrator: AND RECENT SETBACKS HAVE ONLY ADDED TO THE DEBT.
THE LAST RUN REALLY SUCKED.
Narrator: THREE WEEKS AGO...
[BLEEP] DAMN IT!
Narrator: ...SHAWN'S FATHER, STEVE, TOOK THE CHRISTINE ROSE OUT
IN ROUGH WEATHER...
THE SWELLS TORE OUR DAMN WINCH MOUNT OFF.
Narrator: ...AND GOT ROUGHED UP.
Shawn: DAD BROKE THE DREDGE.
HE DIDN'T GET ANY MINING IN,
SO IT JUST DID NOTHING BUT COST US A BUNCH OF MONEY.
SO HOPEFULLY WE CAN MAKE UP
FOR DAD'S LITTLE [BLEEP] DOO ON THIS RUN.
Narrator: NOW IT'S UP TO SHAWN TO FIND GOLD
OUT ON HIS CHOSEN MINING GROUNDS,
KNOWN AS THE TOMCOD CLAIM.
THIS TWO-SQUARE-MILE STRETCH OF THE BERING SEA
IS ONE OF THE RICHEST CLAIMS OFF THE COAST OF ALASKA,
BUT THE GOLD ISN'T EVERYWHERE -- IT'S CONCENTRATED IN DEPOSITS,
AND SHAWN THINKS HE'S FOUND ONE.
Shawn: ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD AND IDLE THEM.
LET'S SEE WHERE WE'RE AT HERE -- 80 METERS.
WE'RE GONNA DO A FEW TAPS IN.
10-4.
CHECK IT OUT. SEE WHAT WE CAN FIND.
WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY DAYS IN THE SEASON TO MINE,
SO YOU GOT TO MAKE EVERY DAMN DAY COUNT.
HOPEFULLY WE CAN JUST SEE THE GOLD
LAYING ON TOP OF THE CLAY ON HERE.
I CAN SEE GOLD ON TOP OF THE CLAY HERE.
I SEE GOLD IN THE PAN, TOO.
THERE WE GO, JESSE.
IT'S STARTING TO LOOK PRETTY DAMN GOOD HERE
RIGHT OFF THE BAT.
I'LL MOVE AROUND,
AND IF I FIND GOLD ON ALL THE CORNERS,
THEN I'LL SET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF IT AND DIG IT ALL OUT.
Narrator: SHAWN'S STRATEGY --
KEEP PANNING UNTIL HE'S FOUND THE PERIMETER
OF A GOLD-RICH SPOT, THEN MINE ALL OF IT.
Shawn: WE'RE GONNA MARK THE SPOT AND THEN MOVE.
I WANT TO GET SET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.
I DON'T WANT TO JUST BE ON THE EDGE OF IT.
YOU KNOW, WE CAN HAVE GOLD RIGHT HERE AND NO GOLD THAT WAY.
HERE WE GO. LET'S GO.
AND WE FOUND SOME PRETTY GOOD GOLD.
Narrator: THEY MOVE FROM SPOT TO SPOT, SHAWN DIGGING WHILE JESSE PANS.
Shawn: I LIKE THAT CHUNKY STUFF.
WE'RE GETTING SOME REALLY NICE CHUNKY GOLD
OUT OF THESE TEST PANS.
HOPEFULLY THEY KEEP UP.
YOU COULD BE HAPPY
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF GOLD IN ONE PAN,
BUT YOU GOT TO COME OUT HERE AND DO PAN AFTER PAN AFTER PAN.
TEST PANS PAY OFF.
Narrator: WITH THE PERIMETER NEARLY COMPLETE,
THEY ONLY NEED ONE MORE SIGN OF COLOR.
NADA?
NOT MUCH AT ALL.
MOVE UP 10 FEET?
MAYBE TAKE A DIFFERENT BITE FROM A DIFFERENT SIDE.
LOOKS FREAKING AWESOME.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!
Shawn: LET'S GET THESE ANCHORS SET AND START DIGGING.
LET'S TURN THIS BOX YELLOW.
[BLEEP] RIGHT.
WHOO!
WE'RE GONNA MAKE SOME MONEY TODAY!
Narrator: WITH THE GROUND FULLY PROSPECTED,
IT'S TIME TO GET THE GOLD.
Shawn: YOU CAN'T PUT THE ANCHORS DOWN AND START DIGGING.
YOU GOT TO GO AND LOOK FOR THESE SPOTS
THAT THE GOLD IS RICH TO PAY ALL THE BILLS.
ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE IN GOLD MINING.
THERE AIN'T NO GUARANTEES YOU'LL MAKE ANY MONEY,
BUT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF GETTING RICH IN A DAY.
Narrator: EIGHT MILES TO THE EAST,
OUT ON THE OVERCROWDED PUBLIC MINING AREA...
Vernon: THE COAST GUARD'S SNIFFING AROUND,
LURKING AND SKULKING OVER THERE.
HA! I DO BELIEVE THEY MADE THAT GUY GO IN.
DAMN IT.
Narrator: THE COAST GUARD IS SENDING
UNSAFE DREDGING OPERATIONS BACK TO PORT.
Vernon: WHOOPEE.
THAT'S WHAT WE NEED -- SOME FEDERAL COPS AROUND HERE
ENFORCING THE DREDGING FLEET.
WE'RE GOING OUT TODAY. NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT.
I GOT A CALL FROM MY BANK. I'M OVERDRAFTED.
RIGHT NOW IT'S ALL ON THE LINE.
Narrator: FOR CAPTAIN VERNON ADKISON,
HIS DEBTS OUTWEIGH THE RISK OF A SHUTDOWN.
IT'S GETTING PRETTY DAMN CRITICAL.
EVERYBODY'S REALLY HURTING FOR MONEY.
Narrator: THE WILD RANGER SCORED EARLY.
Kevin: HEAR THOSE TENDER NUGGETS FLOWING.
THAT'S A GOOD SOUND.
THIS IS FIRST GOLD.
WE'RE GONNA GET A WHOLE LOT MORE.
[ CLICKS TONGUE ]
Narrator: BUT IN THREE SEASONS, VERNON HAS LOST BIG.
Vernon: IT TAKES A FAIR AMOUNT OF SPORTING BLOOD
TO STICK WITH THIS BUSINESS, LET ME TELL YOU.
THIS IS NOT LIKE WORKING FOR WAGES.
THIS IS MORE LIKE GOING TO VEGAS.
YOU GOT TO PUT IN YOUR TIME, AND THEN MAYBE YOU'LL HIT BIG.
OKAY, DROP THE ANCHOR!
YEAH, TONY DID REALLY WELL.
HE'S ONLY GOT ONE DIVE UNDER HIS BELT,
BUT ABOUT 10 MINUTES DOWN, HE FOUND A NICE LITTLE NUGGET.
I THINK HE'S GONNA MAKE SOME GOLD FOR THE BOAT.
Narrator: HOPING TO MAKE A DENT IN HIS MOUNTING BILLS,
VERNON TURNS TO HIS NEW ACE DIVER,
GREENHORN TONY MANN.
Tony: MY DAD LIVED IN ALASKA FOR 10 YEARS.
HE DID A LOT OF GOLD DREDGING.
I'M KIND OF MAKING HIM PROUD A LITTLE BIT,
FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS.
ALL RIGHT, MR. GREENIE. GONNA DO SOME PROSPECTING.
IT'S UP TO YOU TO FIND THE GOLD NOW.
WE'RE PROSPECTING,
SO IT'S A DIFFERENT BALL GAME THAN JUST HOGGING.
YEAH.
HEY, TONY,
YOU WANT TO MAKE THAT HOLE
ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DINNER TABLE.
THERE HE GOES.
PUTTING IT THERE.
I MEAN, TONY, HE CAN DEFINITELY SEE THE GOLD.
HE'S ALREADY PROVEN THAT.
THAT'S WHAT YOU GOT TO DO. YOU GOT TO PROSPECT.
I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE POT OF GOLD UNDER THE OCEAN IS.
I GOT THE FEVER,
AND THE ONLY PRESCRIPTION IS GOLD!
GIVE ME SOME!
WHOO! HELL, YEAH!
Narrator: OFF THE COAST OF NOME, ALASKA...
GIVE ME SOME!
Tony: WHOO! HELL, YEAH!
Narrator: ...CAPTAIN VERNON ADKISON
IS COUNTING ON GREENHORN TONY MANN
TO FIND GOLD IN THE CROWDED PUBLIC MINING GROUNDS.
Vernon: WITH ALL THESE BOATS --
SEE, NOBODY KEEPS TRACK OF WHERE THESE BOATS --
THEY POP IN, THEY DO AN AREA,
AND THEN IF YOU COME ALONG BEHIND THEM,
YOU'RE NOT GONNA GET ANYTHING.
SO THE KEY TO IT ALL IS PROSPECTING.
YOU GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GROUND YOU'RE ON
HAS NOT BEEN HIT.
ASK HIM, "DOES IT LOOK LIKE IT'S BEEN HIT BEFORE?"
CAN YOU TELL IF IT'S BEEN HIT BEFORE?
NO?
NO, SIR.
IT'S NOT GOING VERY GOOD.
I KEEP PUNCHING HOLES.
NOT GETTING ANY COLOR AT ALL.
NOW IT'S ABOUT A FOOT DEEP, AND I'VE BEEN CLEARING IT,
BUT I STILL HAVEN'T SEEN ANY GOLD.
JUST GIVING YOU A HEADS UP.
Vernon: NO GOLD DOWN THERE.
SO NO SENSE IN JUST STAYING THERE BURNING FUEL.
Vernon: IF THERE'S NO GOLD, WE GOT TO MOVE ON.
WE BURNED, YOU KNOW, HALF A TANK OF GAS
AND NOT EVEN ENOUGH GOLD TO PAY FOR IT.
Narrator: BACK IN TOWN, EMILY RIEDEL IS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS.
JUST MADE A PAYMENT TO THE OLD ZEKE TENHOFF,
AND I'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO,
BUT IT FEELS GOOD TO GET SOME OF THAT OUT OF THE WAY.
I JUST WANT THIS UGLY BUSINESS BEHIND ME.
Narrator: SINCE EMILY AGREED TO PURCHASE HER DREDGE FROM ZEKE,
THE DEAL HAS GONE SOUR...
GET ME THE MONEY!
YOU CAN'T OWN PROPERTY FOR FREE!
...AND DIVIDED THEM.
YOU'VE THREATENED TO BURN MY HOUSE DOWN WITH ME IN IT.
Emily: HE WAS BEING ABSOLUTELY INSANE.
I'M GONNA PAY HIM THE 25 GRAND.
I'M PAYING HIM OFF A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME,
AND THEN I'LL BE FREE AND CLEAR AND OWN THE DREDGE
WITHOUT HAVING TO DEAL WITH THE PAST EVER AGAIN, I HOPE.
I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO EXPRESS THE AMOUNT OF HURT
ZEKE TENHOFF HAS CAUSED ME.
I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SEEING OR SPEAKING TO HIM AGAIN.
AND FORGIVENESS IS COMPLETELY OUT OF THE QUESTION.
I JUST WANT HIM TO STAY AWAY FROM ME
AND STAY THE [BLEEP] AWAY FROM MY DREDGE.
IT'S LIKE A NIGHTMARE I CAN'T EVER WAKE UP FROM.
Narrator: BY THE BANKS OF THE NOME RIVER...
GOOD [BLEEP] DAMN, I HAVE SO MUCH STUFF.
[ CLEARS THROAT ]
THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUR THINGS
REFLECT THE STATUS OF YOUR MIND.
WELL, RIGHT NOW, LIKE, THE BED OF THIS PICKUP TRUCK --
THAT IS MY MIND RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: OVER A MONTH INTO THE SEASON,
ZEKE TENHOFF HASN'T BEEN MINING AT ALL.
HE'S STILL WORKING THROUGH
THE DEATH OF HIS FRIEND JOHN BUNCE.
Zeke: WHEN JOHN DIED,
HE WAS THE CLOSEST FRIEND I'VE EVER HAD,
AND I FELT NOTHING.
I STILL HAVEN'T FELT ANYTHING THAT I WOULD CALL
A MOMENT OF SADNESS.
BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THAT, LIKE, I'VE GOTTEN ARRESTED
AND CAUSED, LIKE, ALL KINDS OF CHAOS
AND, LIKE, COMPLETELY LOST CONTROL OF MY DRINKING.
BUT I NEVER FELT SADNESS.
YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T LIKE,
"OH, MY GOD, I'M SO SAD SO I'M GONNA CRY,
"AND THEN I'M GONNA, LIKE, START DRINKING, MAYBE,
OR LIKE..." IT WAS MORE LIKE I FELT NOTHING,
AND THEN MY LIFE KIND OF [BLEEP] WENT OUT OF CONTROL.
[ CHUCKLES ]
YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING TO GET MY HEAD BACK IN THE GAME,
BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M REMEMBERING THAT IT'S NOT EASY.
Narrator: FOR NOW, DREDGING WILL HAVE TO WAIT.
BACK AT THE DOCKS...
Hank: SO WE HAD A LITTLE FUEL SPILL TODAY.
WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE NOW.
COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.
Narrator: ...CAPTAIN HANK SCHIMSCHAT'S
MAIN ENGINE LEAKED FIVE GALLONS OF DIESEL INTO THE HARBOR
RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE COAST GUARD.
THAT IS A FIRST. BUT THINGS HAPPEN, YOU KNOW,
AND YOU GOT TO BE READY TO RESPOND.
THEY GOT ALL THE EQUIPMENT THEY NEED,
AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GOOD THING.
Narrator: NOW THE COAST GUARD HAS GIVEN HIM THE APPROVAL TO DREDGE.
Hank: I'M A LITTLE EMBARRASSED BY IT,
BUT WE'VE GOT IT UNDER CONTROL, CLEANED UP,
AND WE'RE GONNA GO GOLD-MINING.
SO THIS'LL DEFINITELY NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
READY TO GO?
Scott: YEAH.
LET'S DO IT.
WE'RE GOING GOLD MINING.
THE AU GRABBER SETS SAIL ONCE AGAIN.
WE GOT TO GET OUT THERE AND TRY TO MAKE UP
FOR A LITTLE LOST TIME.
THE BEST SCENARIO, PROBABLY, WOULD BE 20, 25 OUNCES.
THE WORST SCENARIO COULD BE ZERO, BUT WE DON'T WANT THAT.
WE DON'T WANT TO THINK THAT WAY.
Narrator: GREENHORN SKIPPER'S HEADED
SEVEN MILES WEST TO THE TOMCOD CLAIM.
BUT HE WON'T BE ALONE.
IT'S JUST LOADED UNDER THE CLAY. IT'S AMAZING HOW MUCH GOLD.
Narrator: AFTER CAREFULLY PINPOINTING A PAY STREAK,
CAPTAIN SHAWN POMRENKE IS HOPING TO TURN HIS SEASON AROUND.
EASY DIGGING, LOTS OF GOLD, NO COMPLAINTS FOR ME.
FULL BUCKET AFTER FULL BUCKET AFTER FULL BUCKET.
THIS IS WHAT PAYS THE BILLS.
OH, THAT SON OF A ***.
LOOKS LIKE WE GOT HANK RIGHT HERE TO THE WEST.
Narrator: THE VETERAN SKIPPER WATCHES THE ROOKIE
MOVE ON TO THE GROUNDS.
SO NOW IT'S A RACE TO SEE WHO CAN GET THE GOLD FIRST.
LOOKS LIKE THE FUN'S GONNA START BEGINNING.
THE WILD WEST ALL OVER AGAIN UP HERE.
THE CHRISTINE ROSE IS RIGHT DOWN THERE.
LET THE COMPETITION BEGIN.
TIME TO GO TO WORK. TIME TO FIND SOME GOLD.
AND HOPEFULLY IT TURNS INTO BEING A LONG, PRODUCTIVE DAY.
Narrator: FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HIS GOLD-MINING CAREER...
CAPTAIN HANK SCHIMSCHAT DIGS INTO THE BERING SEA
HOPING TO HIT GOLD.
[ THUD ]
Hank: BEDROCK.
IT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO SEE.
Narrator: WHAT HE HITS IS SOLID ROCK.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE BEDROCK.
I'M GONNA GET OUT OF THIS BEDROCK.
I DON'T THINK I'M GONNA DIG THIS.
YEAH, IT'S JUST TOO HARD RIGHT HERE.
LET'S RAISE THIS UP AND MOVE IN.
YEAH, WE'RE JUST REPOSITIONING. NOTHING THERE TO DIG.
Narrator: HANK MOVES FURTHER EAST...
TAKE IT OFF.
...AND DIGS AGAIN.
SAND.
THE SKIPPER'S NEW POSITION -- A SANDBAR.
ZERO.
NOTHING HERE.
IT'S A DEAD HOLE.
SO WE GOT TO FIND THE GOLD. WE'LL GET ON IT.
TAKES A LITTLE TIME.
I'M JUST GONNA KEEP DOING A LITTLE PROSPECTING.
JUST BECAUSE HE TOOK ONE BUCKET AND ONE PAN OUT OF IT
AND DIDN'T SEE ANY COLOR,
IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE'S NOT COLOR THERE.
I THINK HE'S BEING IMPATIENT
WITH THE TEST-PANNING OF THE BUCKETS.
HANK MIGHT KNOW HOW TO OPERATE EQUIPMENT,
BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIND GOLD.
SO NOW WE'RE GONNA MOVE AGAIN.
Hank: SOME OF THESE GUYS THAT ARE OUT HERE,
THEY KNOW WHERE THE GOLD IS.
THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOR UP TO 8, 10 YEARS, YOU KNOW?
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON.
IT LOOKS LIKE HANK IS FLOUNDERING AROUND
LIKE A DYING SALMON IN THE BERING SEA.
I REALLY HAVEN'T FOUND ANY MATERIAL
THAT HAS HAD GOLD IN IT.
SHAWN -- HE'S GOT A LOT OF MINING EXPERIENCE.
I THINK I'M GONNA MOVE DOWN TO WHERE THEY'RE WORKING.
HE'S MOVING.
Shawn: THERE AIN'T NO STINKING WAY.
LOOKS LIKE HANK DECIDED TO MOVE RIGHT IN ON US.
Narrator: THE ROOKIE PLOWS CLOSER
TO SHAWN'S HARD-EARNED GROUND,
BUT THE VETERAN ISN'T EXACTLY ROLLING OUT THE WELCOME WAGON.
Shawn: HE'D END UP GETTING SHOT BACK IN THE OLD DAYS FOR IT.
Narrator: SEVEN MILES WEST OF NOME...
Hank: WE REALLY HAVEN'T FOUND ANY MATERIAL
THAT HAS HAD GOLD IN IT.
SHAWN -- HE'S GOT A LOT OF MINING EXPERIENCE.
I THINK I'M GONNA MOVE DOWN TO WHERE THEY'RE WORKING.
HE'S MOVING.
Shawn: THERE AIN'T NO STINKING WAY.
LOOKS LIKE HANK DECIDED TO MOVE RIGHT IN ON US.
YOU'D END UP GETTING SHOT BACK IN THE OLD DAYS FOR IT.
Narrator: AFTER FAILING TO FIND GOLD, CAPTAIN HANK SCHIMSCHAT
ENCROACHES ON SHAWN POMRENKE'S DIGGING GROUNDS.
Shawn: HE'S RIGHT THERE.
I'LL GO RIP THOSE WINCHES RIGHT OFF HIS SPUDS.
WAS JUST SEEING IF THERE'S ANY GOLD HERE.
EVERYBODY'S BEEN RIGHT HERE DIGGING,
SO IT SHOULD BE A BAND.
THEY'RE [BLEEP] RIGHT ON US, CODY.
WOW, LEGITIMATE CLAIM JUMPING RIGHT THERE.
I MEAN, HE CAN BE OUT HERE MINING.
IT'S JUST A RESPECT THING.
IF HE CAN DO THAT, THEN HE DON'T RESPECT US AT ALL.
AND HE'S NOT GONNA HAVE VERY MANY FRIENDS HERE
FOR TOO LONG ACTING LIKE THAT.
Hank: I GOT A BUNCH OF BILLS I GOT TO PAY,
AND IT AIN'T GONNA COME TO YOU. AND IT AIN'T EVERYWHERE.
SO WHEN OPPORTUNITY COMES ALONG, YOU GOT TO TAKE IT.
WELL, NOTHING SO FAR.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST A GUESSING GAME RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE [BLEEP] GOLD IS.
HE DOESN'T KNOW WHERE THE GOLD IS.
IT'S JUST A GUESSING GAME AT THIS POINT.
EXACTLY.
SO WE'RE JUST GONNA PLOD AROUND IN THE DARK, YOU KNOW?
EVEN A BLIND SQUIRREL GETS A NUT ONCE IN A WHILE.
ACTUALLY, I ALREADY DUG THAT ALL OUT, SO [BLEEP] HIM.
Hank: WE'VE BEEN PROSPECTING ALL MORNING
TRYING TO FIND SOME GOLD AND HAVEN'T HAD MUCH LUCK.
SO ANYWAY...
I'M SURE THAT THEY'RE OVER THERE WATCHING US GO IN CIRCLES.
CHRISTINE ROSE IS PROBABLY HAVING A GOOD TIME WITH THIS.
Narrator: IN THE CONTEST OF ROOKIE VERSUS VETERAN,
ROUND ONE GOES TO THE VETERAN.
I THINK THEY'LL BE MAKING A PSYCHIATRIST PRETTY RICH
AFTER THIS ***-WHUPPING ON THE BERING SEA.
Narrator: 8½ MILES TO THE EAST...
Man: I'M JUST GONNA GO STRAIGHT TO THIS SIDE.
OH, MY GOD, IT'S SO PRETTY. IT'S SO PRETTY.
...COMING OFF HER FIRST $16,000 CLEAN-OUT,
CAPTAIN EMILY RIEDEL IS EAGER TO START SUCKING UP MORE GOLD.
Emily: I'M REALLY THRILLED THAT WE GOT 12½ OUNCES
IN OUR FIRST CLEAN-OUT.
[ CHUCKLES ]
BEING ON THE GOLD ON MY OWN DREDGE --
THERE'S NO WAY I CAN DESCRIBE THAT FEELING.
IT'S JUST PURE JOY.
BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE, ANY MONEY THAT I MAKE
GOES TO PAY ZEKE OFF.
OH, COME ON.
Man: WHEN'S THE LAST TIME YOU WERE BOARDED BY THE COAST GUARD?
Spencer: NOT THIS SEASON.
NOT THIS WEEK?
NEVER IN 2013.
UH-OH.
WE'RE GONNA GET SENT BACK INTO THE HARBOR.
WE DO NOT HAVE ALL OF OUR SAFETY.
LET'S GET OUT OF THEIR WAY, GUYS.
ALL RIGHT.
HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING?
GOOD.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE SAFETY GEAR LIKE YOU SAID.
WHO'S THE CAPTAIN, MASTER,
I AM.
OKAY. DO YOU HAVE THE STATE REGISTRATION?
I DO.
IT'S IN THE CABIN ON YOUR RIGHT.
EMILY. SO YOU'RE EMILY?
YES, SIR.
HAVE YOU EVER TAKEN A BOATING-SAFETY-OPERATOR COURSE
NO, SIR.
YOU GUYS SHOULD OFFER ONE WHILE YOU'RE UP HERE.
I'LL BE THE FIRST ONE IN ATTENDANCE.
GOT IT.
[ SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ]
STAND BY FOR ONE SECOND.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON BOARD HERE?
WE DO. THERE'S ONE RIGHT HERE.
SURE.
FLARES ARE BEHIND THE DOOR -- THE FLARE GUN.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS IN GOLD DREDGING
THAT ARE NOT IN YOUR CONTROL, BUT SAFETY,
UNFORTUNATELY, AND FORTUNATELY, IS WITHIN MY CONTROL COMPLETELY.
AND THEY CAN EITHER SLAP US WITH A HUGE FINE,
OR WE CAN DOCK THE BOAT
IF WE DON'T HAVE EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED.
THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE
ONE MORE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
WE'RE GONNA BE IN THE AREA AND WE'LL JUST STOP BACK
AND WE'LL GIVE YOU THE PAPER AND WE'LL BE GOOD TO GO.
Narrator: UNTIL EMILY HAS THE PROPER SAFETY GEAR,
DREDGING IS SHUT DOWN.
WE'LL SEE YOU IN A BIT.
Emily: ALL RIGHT, THANKS VERY MUCH, GUYS.
THANKS FOR VISITING.
THANK YOU.
Narrator: EMILY STILL OWES ZEKE 20 GRAND.
IF SHE LOSES A DAY OF MINING,
SHE WON'T MAKE HER NEXT DREDGE PAYMENT.
EVERY DIME I HAVE HAS GONE INTO THIS DREDGE,
AND THEN SOME.
AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, I'M BARELY KEEPING AFLOAT.
I'M OUT OF MONEY, AND I NEED TO BE MINING.
ALL RIGHT, I'LL BE BACK IN A BIT, GUYS.
KEEP DREDGING.
I'M GONNA GO PICK UP THOSE SUPPLIES.
Narrator: DESPITE THE COAST GUARD'S INJUNCTION,
THE CAPTAIN GIVES HER CREW THE GO-AHEAD TO DREDGE.
Spencer: I'M GONNA GET SUITED AND BOOTED.
YEAH, GET SUITED UP. GET GOING.
Narrator: 4½ MILES FROM NOME HARBOR...
Vernon: WE'RE IN A NEW, UNCHARTED AREA HERE.
AS FAR AS I KNOW, NOBODY'S BEEN DOWN HERE.
Narrator: AFTER COMING UP EMPTY
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PUBLIC GROUNDS,
CAPTAIN VERNON ADKISON IS SEARCHING THE OUTER EDGE.
SAND, SAND. WE'RE ON SAND.
I'D LIKE TO FIND A LITTLE BIT OF COBBLE FIRST.
SAND OFTEN COVERS BARREN GROUNDS,
BUT COBBLESTONE CAN HOLD DEPOSITS OF CHUNKY GOLD.
Vernon: WE'LL ONLY BE IN ABOUT 10 FEET OF WATER NOW.
STARFISH, CRAB, FISH -- NO ROCK.
[ SIGHS ]
I CAN SEE SOME COBBLE.
ALL RIGHT!
WE GOT GREAT COBBLE RIGHT OFF THE BOW.
IF WE CAN BITE 10 OUNCES TODAY, I WILL BE ONE HAPPY MAN.
WE WANT TO PUT THE FRONT OF THE BOAT
ON THE START OF THE COBBLE LINE.
Narrator: TO GET INTO POSITION,
THE SKIPPER PUTS THE BOAT IN REVERSE.
THIS IS WEIRD.
THIS DAMN THING DOES NOT WANT TO BACK.
IT'S NOT BACKING.
I GOT NO REVERSE IN THIS SON OF A ***.
THE PROPELLER -- THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT.
AAH!
WE CAN DROP ON THE SPOT
AND PUT SOME GOLD IN A BOX, EASY.
LOOK, I GOT A [BLEEP] PROBLEM HERE.
I DON'T GIVE A [BLEEP] ABOUT THAT RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: WITH PROMISING GROUND BELOW
AND DIVERS READY,
VERNON'S ONLY CONCERN SEEMS TO BE FIXING THE PROP.
WHOO. THAT'S SOMETHING.
THIS IS SOMETHING RIGHT THERE.
THAT IS [BLEEP] UP. THAT PISSES ME OFF.
I SEE A BROKEN PIECE OF SOMETHING IN THERE.
SEE IN THERE?
SEE, THERE'S A RING THAT'S LOOSE.
IT'S MISSING THE BIG FLAT WASHER.
Narrator: THE WILD RANGER IS SHUT DOWN
BY A SINGLE MISSING $2 WASHER.
VERN, IS THIS SOMETHING
THAT YOU'D BE ALL RIGHT WITH RIGHT NOW?
NO! [BLEEP] NO! I'M NOT ALL RIGHT WITH IT.
IT'S GONNA [BLEEP] UP MY OPERATION.
YOU KNOW, THE [BLEEP] ENGINE IS KEY TO WHAT I'M DOING HERE.
IT'S NOT ALL RIGHT.
NOT WORTH A [BLEEP] IT AIN'T ALL RIGHT.
[ GRUNTS ]
[BLEEP]
WE'RE ALL IN A [BLEEP] MOOD.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY GOLD IN THE BOX, YOU KNOW?
GET THE HELL OUT OF OUR WAY AND LET US DO OUR JOB.
YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALL FRUSTRATED. WE'RE ALL FINANCIALLY STRAPPED.
YEAH, THAT'S IT.
Kevin: VERNON SEEMS TO SWEAT THESE THINGS
THAT GET HIM ALL WORKED UP,
AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US BEING ABLE TO GET IN THE WATER.
YOU'RE WASTING THE TIME
YOU COULD BE PUTTING GOLD IN THE BOX.
THE LAST THING WE DID WAS PUT THAT PROPELLER ON THERE.
I GOT A FEELING SOMEBODY PUT IT ON THERE
AND DIDN'T PUT IT ON THERE RIGHT.
ONLY THING LEFT IS TO GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.
[ GROANS ] IT'S IRRITATING.
I AGREE.
IT'S SO UNPROFESSIONAL. IT'S SO FREAKING UNPROFESSIONAL.
Narrator: OVER ON THE EROICA...
Spencer: HAS THE COAST GUARD BEEN BACK YET?
Shem: NOT YET.
Narrator: ...DESPITE THE COAST GUARD'S BAN ON DIVING...
[BLEEP] HOGGING MATERIAL MAN.
...DECK HANDS SHEM FOGELMAN AND SPENCER McCLESKY
HAVE KEPT MOVING DIRT ON THEIR CAPTAIN'S ORDERS.
OH, DUDE, THIS IS [BLEEP] FULL!
IT LOOKS PRETTY BAD-***.
YEAH, MAN.
I'M DEFINITELY SEEING GOOD GOLD.
WHOO!
WE'RE MOVING.
[BLEEP] YEAH!
THAT'S WHAT WE LIKE TO SEE -- A DIRTY BOX.
WHEN I SEE COLOR ON THE OCEAN FLOOR, I THINK MONEY.
I LOVE IT.
NO OTHER FEELING THAT MATCHES IT.
IT'S JUST A RUSH.
AH [BLEEP]
COAST GUARD'S HERE,
SO I WON'T BE AT THE BOX FOR A LITTLE BIT.
KEEP ON WORKING TILL THEY ABSOLUTELY SHUT US DOWN.
COPY.
ALL RIGHT.
I CAN CALL HER.
WE CAN PROBABLY GIVE HER A COUPLE MORE MINUTES, YOU KNOW?
Narrator: THEIR SKIPPER, EMILY RIEDEL, HAS BEEN GONE FOR TWO HOURS.
Shem: THIS IS KIND OF [BLEEP] AND EMMY'S LEFT US OUT TO DRY.
SHE DIDN'T PICK IT UP.
I'LL SHOOT HER A TEXT.
Emily: [BLEEP] THE COAST GUARD'S BACK.
NOW THE BOAT IS LEGITIMATE.
NOW WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE, AND NOBODY CAN SHUT US DOWN
ON ANY KIND OF LEGAL BASIS, ANYWAY.
ALL RIGHT.
OH, HEY, LOOK OVER HERE. THERE'S A REINDEER.
THAT'S THAT GUY THAT CARTS THAT REINDEER AROUND
YEAH, YEAH.
HEY, BUDDY. HOW ARE YOU? HEY, YOU.
THIS IS THE NOTORIOUS REINDEER VELVET EYES.
HE'S GOT REALLY SOFT, FUZZY FUR ON ITS HORNS.
IT'S DEFINITELY VELVET.
HEY.
GOT SOME SERIOUS REINDEER ATTITUDE GOING.
MAYBE THIS IS SANTA'S PICKUP TRUCK.
WHO DRIVES THIS THING?
YEAH, MAYBE IT IS SANTA'S.
ALL RIGHT, SEE YOU LATER, VELVET EYES.
ALL RIGHT. LET'S ROLL.
SAY HI TO SANTA FOR ME.
Narrator: ON THE GOLD-RICH WATERS OF THE BERING SEA,
THE COAST GUARD FINALLY ENDS THEIR ROUNDS.
Steve P.: YOU KNOW, THE COAST GUARD BEING MORE SCRUTINY ON EVERYBODY.
THEY HAVE TO.
THAT'S THEIR JOB.
SOMEBODY HAS TO KEEP TRACK OF EVERYBODY.
Narrator: AFTER AN 18-HOUR GRIND,
THE WEARY FLEET HEADS TO SHORE.
ANOTHER SHIFT ON THE EROICA COMPLETE.
GOLD -- CHECK.
ALL RIGHT, EROICA, BEHAVE YOURSELF WHILE I'M AWAY.
OH, SHE'S SO PRETTY!
SHE'S SO PRETTY.
Hank: TODAY WAS A TOUGH DAY TRYING TO FIND THE GOLD.
YOU KNOW, WE SEARCHED LONG AND HARD,
AND YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T FIND MUCH COLOR TODAY.
I'M NOT GONNA GIVE UP.
I'M NOT GONNA GET DISCOURAGED.
THERE'S A LOT OF GOLD HERE, SO THERE'S HOPE.
THERE'S A LOT OF HOPE.
Narrator: ONE CAPTAIN LOOKS TOWARDS HIS FUTURE
AS ANOTHER REACHES HIS LIMIT.
Vernon: DO YOU TAKE AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDS?
Man: MasterCard AND VISA.
TRY THIS ONE.
[ BEEPS ]
$3,768.
IF WE DON'T GET SOME GOLD COMING IN PRETTY SOON,
I'M JUST GONNA HAVE TO SHUT THE WHOLE DAMN THING DOWN.
Narrator: CAPTAIN VERNON ADKISON IS TAPPED OUT.
BUT OVER AT THE POMRENKE CLEAN-OUT SHACK...
ALL THE PANNING'S OVER.
WE'RE JUST WAITING FOR THE WATER TO COOK OFF NOW.
Narrator: ...SHAWN'S YEARS OF GOLD-MINING EXPERIENCE
HAVE PRODUCED A PAYDAY.
I'M JUST DUMPING IT IN THE SCREEN.
COME ON. I DON'T GOT ALL DAY.
Steve P.: YOU KNOW, INSTEAD OF BEING IN A HOLE
AND BEING OVERSPENT EVERY MONTH,
I WANT TO LIVE AND BE FREE.
THAT MEANS MONEY IN THE BANK, NOT BILLS ON THE TABLE.
HELL, YEAH! WHOO!
WE'RE DOING DAMN GOOD.
THE BANK COUNT IS, LIKE, GOING INTO MINUS.
SO I'M JUST GONNA GO SELL IT TO LEE
'CAUSE I NEED THE DAMN MONEY RIGHT NOW.
Narrator: OVER AT THE WILD RANGER HEADQUARTERS...
ANYTHING LESS THAN TWO OUNCES, NOT DECENT.
Narrator: ...VERNON IS BACK FROM THE HARDWARE STORE,
AND HE'S DESPERATE TO TURN GOLD INTO CASH.
Vernon: OKAY.
WELL, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT?
1.23.
WHAT?
THAT WASN'T WORTH ALL THE PANNING TIME.
Narrator: 1.23 OUNCES IS WORTH 1,600 BUCKS.
THE ONLY WAY I'LL EVER RECOUP THE MONEY I'VE GOT INVESTED
IN THIS IS TO SEE IT THROUGH UNTIL THE BITTER END.
WHEN I CAN'T DO IT ANYMORE, THEN I PULL OUT.
THIS WHOLE THING IS JUST GONNA UNRAVEL.
Narrator: ACROSS TOWN, STEVE POMRENKE BRINGS
HIS 56 OUNCES TO GOLD BUYERS OF ALASKA.
Lee: HOWDY.
YOU GUYS WANT TO GO AHEAD AND SMELT IT?
SMELT IT DOWN?
YEAH.
Steve P.: LEE DOES IT ALL RIGHT HERE.
HE ACTUALLY REFINES IT RIGHT ON THE SPOT --
MELTS IT DOWN, AND YOU GET YOUR FULL CHECK RIGHT AWAY.
Narrator: SMELTER LEE ST. PIERRE CRANKS UP THE HEAT,
LIQUEFYING THE GOLD IN A 2,000-DEGREE CRUCIBLE.
YOU DON'T WANT TO BE TOO CLOSE TO IT.
Lee: LET THAT COOL OFF A LITTLE BIT.
COOL HER OFF A LITTLE BIT OVER HERE ON THE WATER
SO WE CAN HANDLE IT.
Steve P.: STILL RED HOT.
SHE'S HOT.
HE'S BURNED ALL THE DIRT AND ALL THE INNARDS
OUT OF THAT 56.3 OUNCES,
AND NOW WE'LL SEE WHAT WE REALLY HAVE THERE.
JUST GONNA KNOCK A LITTLE SLAG OFF OF HERE
SO HE CAN GET A GOOD SHOT WITH HIS SPECTROSCOPE.
Narrator: THE FLAMES HAVE FORCED OUT THE IMPURITIES, CALLED SLAG.
THE PROCESS REDUCES THE WEIGHT, BUT INCREASES THE PURITY.
HERE WE GO.
WE'RE GONNA ANALYZE THIS BLOCK.
RIGHT NOW IT'S ANALYZING THIS BLOCK WITH X-RAY TECHNOLOGY.
AND WHAT IT'S DOING IS CHECKING THE DENSITY.
PASS "A" NUMBER IS 89.14.
YEAH!
89. THAT'S GOOD.
THIS IS 89% PURE GOLD.
THERE WE GO.
THAT LOOKS PRETTY DAMN GOOD THERE, LEE.
FIVE POUNDS OF RAW GOLD HERE.
IT WAS ON THE OCEAN FLOOR LAST WEEK.
NOW IT'S IN OUR GREEDY LITTLE MITTS.
$62,948.
[ LAUGHS ]
YEAH.
THANKS, LEE.
BYE, MAN.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. WE'RE HEADING TO THE BANK.
Narrator: THE CHRISTINE ROSE MAINTAINS THEIR DOMINANCE,
WITH NEARLY $100,000 IN GOLD
WHILE CAPTAIN VERNON ADKISON
TEETERS ON THE BRINK OF FINANCIAL RUIN.
OH, YEAH, BABY! WE'RE ON THE GOLD!
WE'RE SEEING SOME GOOD COLOR. $4,000 AN HOUR.
LOOKING GOOD.
OHH!
MAN, MY FINGER CAME OFF.
WONDERFUL, GRAND, AWESOME!
GO FIND ANOTHER JOB.
SUCK THAT UP, BABY!
WE'RE IN IT.
Steve P.: THAT'S A JAR OF GOLD THERE.