4 Days in Shark-Infested Water
USS Indianapolis delivered the components for the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima to Tinian Island,
completing her mission on July 26, 1945. Two days later, on July 30, she was struck by two Japanese torpedoes and sank in 12 minutes.
Approximately 880 sailors went into the water. The Navy did not notice the ship was overdue — nobody had arranged to report her arrival.
For four days, survivors floated in shark-infested water, with no food, no fresh water, and no rescue.
When a pilot accidentally spotted them on August 2, only 316 were still alive.
The ship that delivered the weapon that ended the war received no acknowledgment
that she existed until a pilot noticed survivors by accident — four days later.
317 men survived what 880 had entered. The ship that ended the war didn't survive to see it end.
completing her mission on July 26, 1945. Two days later, on July 30, she was struck by two Japanese torpedoes and sank in 12 minutes.
Approximately 880 sailors went into the water. The Navy did not notice the ship was overdue — nobody had arranged to report her arrival.
For four days, survivors floated in shark-infested water, with no food, no fresh water, and no rescue.
When a pilot accidentally spotted them on August 2, only 316 were still alive.
The ship that delivered the weapon that ended the war received no acknowledgment
that she existed until a pilot noticed survivors by accident — four days later.
317 men survived what 880 had entered. The ship that ended the war didn't survive to see it end.
