Sinking Of The Uss Indianapolis

Sinking of the USS Indianapolis

The USS Indianapolis was an American Portland-class heavy cruiser launched in 1930. It served in the Pacific theater of World War II and was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-58 on July 30, 1945. The sinking resulted in the deaths of over 900 of the ship's complement of 1,196, making it the single largest loss of life in the U.S. Navy's history. The ship's sinking has been the subject of much debate and controversy, with some critics arguing that the Navy was negligent in its handling of the disaster.

The Indianapolis departed Guam on July 28, 1945, with a high-security mission to deliver components of the atomic bomb "Little Boy" to Tinian Island. The ship was not escorted by any other vessels, and its captain, Captain Charles Butler McVay III, believed that the threat of Japanese submarines was minimal. On July 30, at approximately 11:30 PM, the Indianapolis was struck by two torpedoes from the I-58. The torpedoes caused catastrophic damage, and the ship sank within 12 minutes. Of the 1,196 crew members on board, only 316 survived.

The survivors of the sinking spent the next four days adrift in the open ocean. They were exposed to the elements, sharks, and Japanese aircraft. Many died from dehydration, starvation, or exposure. On August 2, the survivors were finally rescued by a PBY Catalina aircraft. Captain McVay was court-martialed for his role in the sinking, but he was acquitted of all charges. The Navy was criticized for its handling of the disaster, and the survivors were awarded the Purple Heart medal.

The sinking of the USS Indianapolis remains one of the most tragic events in American naval history. The ship's sinking has been the subject of several books, movies, and documentaries. The wreck of the Indianapolis was finally discovered in 2017.