Learn more about the sinking of the USS Indianapolis after delivering the atomic bombs

The USS Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine on July 30, 1945.

On July 30, 1945, just days after delivering components of the atomic bombs that were later dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, the USS Indianapolis was sunk by a Japanese submarine. Of the nearly 1,200 crewmen on board, some 900 initially survived. Their ordeal, however, was just starting. For the next four days they battled sharks, dehydration, and salt poisoning. By the time help arrived, only 316 were saved.

TIMELINE

• In 1931 the USS Indianapolis was launched.
• In 1943 it became flagship of the U.S. Fifth Fleet.
• In February of 1945 participated in the bombardment of Iwo Jima.
• On July 16, 1945 departed San Francisco for Tinian island.
• On July 26, 1945 delivered bomb components and proceeded to Guam.
• On July 30, 1945 torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-58 halfway to Leyte Gulf.
• On July 31, 1945 the USS Indianapolis was not reported missing after failing to arrive.
• After four days on August 2, 1945 , survivors discovered by accident.
• Little Boy was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
• Fat Man dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945.
• On August 15, 1945 the Indianapolis sinking was reported by the United States.
• On August 15, 1945 the Emperor of Japan announced his country’s surrender.

CASUALTIES

• The USS Indianapolis carried 1,196 total crew.
• After sinking there were 900 initial survivors.
• After four days in the water, only 316 crew were saved.
• Oceanic whitetip sharks are thought to have attacked many of the Indianapolis crew. 

SHIP LENGTH

• USS Indianapolis ship length 610 feet 3 inches (186 metres).

• The route of the USS Indianapolis is shown on a map centered on the Pacific Ocean between Hawaii and eastern Asia. The ship traveled from San Francisco on the west coast of the United States to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. It then travelled to Tinian Island (part of the Northern Mariana Islands) where it delivered bomb components. The USS Indianpolis then proceeded to Guam. About halfway between Guam and the Leyte Gulf of the Philippines, the ship was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine.
• The map also shows the routes of the two atomic bombs from Tinian Island north-northwest to Hiroshima, Japan for the bomb called Little Boy and from Tinian Island north-northwest to Nagasaki, Japan for the bomb called Fat Man. 
• Included are illustrations of both bombs, Little Boy and Fat Man as well as an illustration of the USS Indianapolis ship. Also shown is an illustration of the Oceanic whitetip shark.