Page 107: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2017)

Sunk near the end of World War II, heavy cruiser

USS Indianapolis disappeared to the darkest depths of the Philippine Sea, where it remained undiscovered for more than 70 years. Recently a team of civilian researchers led by Microsoft co-

Paul G. Allen founder set out equipped with an arsenal of high-tech search equipment on a mission to locate the historic vessel last seen on July 30, 1945.

By Eric Haun

The Portland-class heavy cruiser USS

Indianapolis (CA 35) in port at the

Mare Island Navy Yard, in Northern

California following its ? nal overhaul.

The ship was sunk on July 30, 1945 by a submarine in the Philippine Sea fol- lowing delivery of parts for Little Boy, the ? rst atomic bomb used in combat, to the United States air base at Tinian.

Of 1,196 crewmen aboard, approxi- mately 300 went down with the ship.

The remaining 900 faced exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks while ? oating with few lifeboats and almost no food or water.

The Navy learned of the sinking when survivors were spotted four days later by the crew of a PV-1 Ventura on rou- tine patrol. Only 317 survived. www.marinelink.com 107

MR #11 (106-113).indd 107 MR #11 (106-113).indd 107 11/7/2017 11:21:51 AM11/7/2017 11:21:51 AM