USS Indianapolis sinking: 'You could see sharks circling (68th anniversary )

BBC ^ | 07/28/2103 | Alex Last

[Kid Shelleen]

When USS Indianapolis was hit by Japanese torpedoes in the final weeks of WWII, hundreds of crewmen jumped into the water to escape the burning ship. Surrounded by sharks, they waited for a response to their SOS. But no one had been sent to look for them.

In late July 1945, USS Indianapolis had been on a special secret mission, delivering parts of the first atomic bomb to the Pacific Island of Tinian where American B-29 bombers were based. Its job done, the warship, with 1,197 men on board, was sailing west towards Leyte in the Philippines when it was attacked.

[Daffynition]

A first-hand account of the sinking of the USS Juneau, November 12th, 1942, and entering shark infested waters.

I pray these souls, rest in peace.

http://www.ussatlanta.com/stories/Juneasstoryfay.htm

[Gay State Conservative]

I’m somewhat familiar with the Indianapolis but not very.”Quint” said that the mission of delivering the atom bomb was so secret that when they were hit no distress signal was sent out.Never having been in the Navy I know little about what’s SOP but I can kinda see why no signal would have been sent.The A bomb shortened the war by a year or more and saved the lives of a half million of our guys.It’s easy to see why the War Dept would,if forced to by circumstances,sacrifice 700 Sailors rather than tip anyone off regarding Fat Man and Little Boy.

[henkster]

Another good account is Dan Kurzman’s “Fatal Voyage.” The account was so tragic and sad that unlike any of my other history books, I just couldn’t bring myself to re-read it.

[Bronzy]

http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1989546.html An article I found. Reunion of USS Indianapolis Survivors set Sunday, July 28, 2013 Brazil Times INDIANAPOLIS -- All are invited to attend the 68th anniversary reunion of the USS Indianapolis Survivors Organization. The reunion will take place at the Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis, Aug. 1-4. Those attending will have an opportunity to meet the survivors. On Friday, Aug. 2, those attending will hear remarks from Brig. General Stewart Goodwin and visit the USS Indianapolis Museum Gallery, as well as the Radio Room Exhibit. At noon, the Columbia Club will host a luncheon. On Saturday, Aug. 3, survivor Ed Harrell, USMC, Clarksville, Tenn., will share a story of his ordeal following the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Kim Nielsen Roller, Seattle, Wash., will present "The USS Indianapolis: Still At Sea." Also speaking will be Earl Henry Jr., Nashville, Tenn., the son of lost-at-sea Lt. Commander Earl Henry. Survivors and guests are also invited to a memorial service Sunday, Aug. 4, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The remembrance will honor the entire final sailing crew of the USS Indianapolis. The service is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. According to statistics, there were 317 survivors as a result of the sinking of the ship. Currently, only 38 are living.

[KC_Lion]

Ask and You Shall Receive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVmeeYwEiQw

[Farmer Dean]

They sailed without an escort,big mistake.Destroyers might have detected the sub and attacked it before it could attack the cruiser.Even if Indianapolis had been sunk they would have picked up survivors.

[KC_Lion]

One of the best movie soliloquies.

Second only to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jh-dhGlsh98

Here lies the body of Mary Lee, Died at the age of a hundred and three, For fifteen years she kept her virginity, Not a bad record for this vicinity!"

[Atlas Sneezed]

Spielberg sure knows how to tell a story. Even as a kid he did.

Brilliant movie.

[cotton1706]

What’s great is that Robert Shaw wrote that whole speech. He didn’t like what they had in the script so he wrote his own. Brilliant!

[Cold Case Posse Supporter]

They couldn’t risk having other escorts. It was best to go covert alone with radio silence so the japs wouldn’t detect a large signature.

[EQAndyBuzz]

Show me the way to go home
I’m tired and I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
And it’s gone right to my head

Everywhere I roam
Over land or sea or foam
You can always hear me singing this song
Show me the way to go home.

[Cold Case Posse Supporter]

Yes he did write it. It is what made the movie and made his death more poignant.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I read a book on the Indianapolis about 50 years ago. I’ve never forgotten it.

[HiTech RedNeck]

i know what land and sea are, but foam??? (yeah it was put in for the rhyme)

[RedMonqey]

It’s odd but Lee Marvin was Spielberg’s first choice for the role of Quint.

After seeing Marvin sing in “Paint Your Wagon” with Clint Eastwood who sang as well(I’m not kidding)
I could never look at a Lee Marvin movie without chucking...

Nobody but Robert Shaw could replace him as Quint.

[KC_Lion]

Sea Foam: Sea foam generated by breaking waves Sea foam, ocean foam, beach foam, or spume is a type of foam created by the agitation of seawater, particularly when it contains higher concentrations of dissolved organic matter (including proteins, lignins, and lipids)[1] derived from sources such as the offshore breakdown of algal blooms. These compounds can act as surfactants or foaming agents. As the seawater is churned by breaking waves in the surf zone adjacent to the shore, the presence of these surfactants under these turbulent conditions traps air, forming persistent bubbles that stick to each other through surface tension. Due to its low density and persistence, foam can be blown by strong on-shore winds from the beachface inland.

Quint is Disappointed

Landlubbers don't know nothing about the sea

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_foam

[HiTech RedNeck]

Well anyhow that’s a part of the sea isn’t it :-). This was before practical air travel though, and there is nothing rhyming with “home” and “roam” that would correspond to that. Unless one always took glitzy aircraft and then it might be “chrome”?

[RedMonqey]

On Saturday, Aug. 3, survivor Ed Harrell, USMC, Clarksville, Tenn., will share a story of his ordeal following the sinking of the USS Indianapolis.

That will be practically on my doorstep..

I've got to go see him

So cooool!

[HiTech RedNeck]

Where else but the city of Indy, even though that had nothing to do with the actual making or manning of the ship....

[RedMonqey]

Drat!! Should’ve read it better. It’s not near me be he lives in Clarksville.

Damn my eyes for scanning too quick!!!.