August 20, 20179 yr Isn't that the boat that Captain Quint (Jaws) talked about in his famous soliloquy?
August 20, 20179 yr Isn't that the boat that Captain Quint (Jaws) talked about in his famous soliloquy? Yes
August 20, 20179 yr My great Uncle was on the Indianapolis, S2 Ewell Epperson, he was Lost at Sea, reading about this this morning gave me chills and quite honestly brought tears to my eyes. My family has attended the Survivor/Memorial conventions they have in Indy. I have talked to and met a lot of the survivors. There aren't many, if any, left. I have given a few speeches and written papers about the Indianapolis. This is still surreal to me.
August 20, 20179 yr Paul Allen finds lost WWII ship USS Indianapolis "We've located the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis in Philippine Sea at 5500m below the sea." That tweet from entrepreneur and billionaire Paul Allen around 12:20 p.m. Saturday confirmed what many have been searching for since the ship was sunk on July 30, 1945. Allen, who is leading a 13-person team on his 250-foot research ship, the R/V Petrel, said the wreckage was found at a depth of more than 18,000 feet. The heavy cruiser, carrying 1,197 sailors and Marines, was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine while sailing back to the Philippines after delivering components for "Little Boy," the atomic bomb that helped end World War II. It took only 12 minutes to sink. While 900 crewmen made it through the initial sinking, only 316 survived to be rescued when help arrived five days later on Aug. 2. Many had died of exposure or thirst, drowned or were attacked by sharks. Families of those aboard the ship found out about the deaths of their loved ones just as the rest of the country was celebrating the conclusion of World War II. The latest break in the search for the wreckage came in July 2016, when the Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division reported that a sailor had confirmed that a tank landing ship, LST-779, had passed the Indianapolis 11 hours before the torpedo struck. That backed up the testimony of Captain Charles McVay III and was confirmed by deck logs. That finding narrowed the search — to a 600 square miles of open ocean.
August 21, 20179 yr I would have thought they knew where it was sunk and been found long ago.Tough to do when you don't even know where it went down. Even now, with all that we know, and technology, they had it limited down to a 600 square mile patch of open water, looking for something 16,000 feet below the surface. I'd say it was difficult. I can only imagine the look on those guys faces as they came across this ship!
August 21, 20179 yr An interesting tidbit about the Indianapolis. It was Roosevelt's favorite ship, he traveled on it frequently. He even named it his "Ship of State". In a completely unplanned and never before done move, it was mysteriously, and hastily pulled out of Pearl Harbor with 1 hour notice to crew. Most didn't even make it back to the ship in time and it steamed out of the Harbor. They ran for 24 solid hours, then turned right back around just as the attack began. Did we know Pearl Harbor was imminent? Was Roosevelt getting his favorite ship out of there? It's interesting to think about. No explanation for leaving was ever given. They literally loaded and left with no warning, went straight out to sea only to turn right back around.
August 21, 20179 yr An interesting tidbit about the Indianapolis. It was Roosevelt's favorite ship, he traveled on it frequently. He even named it his "Ship of State". In a completely unplanned and never before done move, it was mysteriously, and hastily pulled out of Pearl Harbor with 1 hour notice to crew. Most didn't even make it back to the ship in time and it steamed out of the Harbor. They ran for 24 solid hours, then turned right back around just as the attack began. Did we know Pearl Harbor was imminent? Was Roosevelt getting his favorite ship out of there? It's interesting to think about. No explanation for leaving was ever given. They literally loaded and left with no warning, went straight out to sea only to turn right back around. Wasn't there a rumor another ship went out prior and was not successful or was that just movie hype?
August 21, 20179 yr Wasn't there a rumor another ship went out prior and was not successful or was that just movie hype? Maybe it was loose interpretation of this?? Idk, I only really know the history of this ship.
August 21, 20179 yr Author Tough to do when you don't even know where it went down. Even now, with all that we know, and technology, they had it limited down to a 600 square mile patch of open water, looking for something 16,000 feet below the surface. I'd say it was difficult. I can only imagine the look on those guys faces as they came across this ship! When they did find the sailors I would think it would have to be somewhat close. Im sure they didnt drift 600 square miles worth.
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