In Drain the Oceans, the episode “America’s Last Slave Ship” explores the haunting story of the Clotilda, the last known vessel to transport enslaved Africans to the United States. Using cutting-edge underwater archaeology, digital reconstructions, and historical research, the documentary follows investigators as they search for and identify the remains of the ship hidden in Alabama's waterways.
The episode reveals the brutal realities of the transatlantic slave trade, the illegal 1860 voyage that brought more than 100 Africans to Mobile, Alabama, and the efforts to destroy evidence by burning and sinking the vessel. It also highlights the remarkable legacy of the survivors, many of whom later established the community of Africatown, preserving their culture and history for future generations. Through science and storytelling, Drain the Oceans uncovers one of the most important maritime discoveries in American history.
