USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

The Indianapolis at Pearl Harbor in 1937

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. She was named for the city of Indianapolis, Indiana.

On 30 July 1945, after delivering parts for the first atomic bomb to the United States air base at Tinian, the ship was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy submarine I-58. It sank in 12 minutes. Of 1,196 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship.

The remaining 900 faced exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks while floating 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 routine patrol. Only 317 survived.^[1]

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) Media

The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis (CA-35) underway in 1939. An Omaha-class light cruiser and several Clemson/Wickes-class "flushdeck" destroyers are visible in the background.
USS Indianapolis (CA-35) underway at sea in 1943–1944 (NH 124466)
Indianapolis in 1944 dazzle camouflage pattern
Indianapolis off Mare Island on 10 July 1945
Indianapolis's intended route from Guam to the Philippines
Survivors of Indianapolis on Guam in August 1945
Navy firing detail as part of a burial-at-sea in 2008, for one of the 316 survivors of Indianapolis sinking on 30 July 1945
USS Indianapolis Memorial