Fateful Voyage
The USS Indianapolis, July 30th 1945
by
Marii Chernev
It's nearing midnight, July 30th 1945. The heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis is steaming along at about 17 knots on its way to the Philippines after delivering the atomic bomb to Tinian Island, the very bomb that will be dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Through a series of incredible bureaucratic blunders and ineptitude, the "Indy" will soon enter history as the U.S. Navy's greatest sea disaster of WW II.
Seen here from the Japanese submarine commander's view, the "Indy" is lined up for a perfect shot from the submarines 'long-lance' torpedoes. Of a crew of over 1,100 men, approximately 800 survived the two torpedo strikes and entered the warm Pacific waters. For 5 days and 4 nights, these survivors endured the tropical sun, thirst, hunger, and worst of all, a mass shark attack. Of the over 800 men that went into the water, only 320 emaciated, half dead survivors were pulled to safety.

Original Image Size: 24" x 36"
Price: Sold

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