At the 'College of the Albemarle' here in Elizabeth City NC we had the pleasure of having some special guests. Some of the remaining crew of the 'USS Indianapolis' visited.
For anyone that doesn't know about the Indianapolis, under the command of Captain 'Charles Butler McVay III": The Indianapolis had the secret mission of transporting Critical parts of the Atomic Bomb across the sea to Tinian. After delivering the parts and on the way back home they were struck. The Captain was told to zig-zag at his discretion, during a cloudy part of the night he canceled the Zig-zag and continued straight forward. He then continued to go to sleep, leaving orders to use best decision for course. At around midnight clouds parted allowing the moonlight to shine. However, a Japanese Sub was approx.. 6 miles away and spotted the Indianapolis. Neither the Indianapolis nor the Sub knew someone would be around. The Captain of the Indianapolis was told no Subs were in the area, even when those in charge knew there were Subs in the area. The Sub continued toward the Indianapolis, and when within range fired two Torpedoes, 1 struck the Ship approx. 60 feet from the front ripping the entire section off. The second torpedo stuck the Ship in the middle hitting the Ammo Hold. The Captain was faced with the decision, attempt to keep the ship up or abandon ship. After the Ship continued to start flipping and sinking the Captain called 'Abandon Ship'. The Ship sank within 12 minutes of being hit.
The crew of 1,197 was sent into the sea in thousands of pounds of oil and ship parts surrounded them. On day two, there was high hopes of rescue, 'We are late, they'll notice, right?'. While sloating there, some in life-vests, some clinging onto anything they can to stay afloat. As they knew they could not drink the water, and had no food or safe water. Within a day a larger problem had arisen, sharks had shown up. They would pick at people, and pull many down. They had almost no way to keep them away, so the sharks had free pick at them, and they were in open waters, bleeding, burnt and dieing. They floated there for four days. By the fourth day most had gone mad and started hallucinating. They even started killing each other.
On the fourth day a PBY 1, was on a run testing a new antenna. When the Pilot went in the back adjusting parts, something caused him to look past his hands and into the sea. There he saw a big blob of black. He figured it was a Japanese Sub and lowered from the 4,000 feet, to bombing level. While circling and about to give the call to drop bombs he spotted what appeared to be heads bobbing in the water. He then lowered farther and saw it was many people, and had no idea if it was American of Japanese. He knew it was too many epople for a Sub crew, but America had no ships out there. He then called for help, knowing whoever they were needed it. One pilot upon hearing this Distress call, didn't wait for approval to lift. He took his plane and crew and headed out. On the way out he was ordered to not land, as no open water landings had been successful. He then proceeded to circle and evaluate the situation. However, after seeing a groups of people been attacked by sharks he defied orders and landed. He damaged the plane and started taking in water. The crew then started to load as much of the Indianapolis crew on the plane. After being fully loaded, he could not leave more there. The crew then took out the supplies and mummy-wrapped the Ship crew and tied them to the top of the wings. Due to his bravery he was able to save approx. 50 people that trip.
Rescues then continued on with help from Ships and planes. Out of the 1,197 crew only 317 survived the 4 day float in the water.
I would like to give a big Salute to those surviving 317, and a bigger Salute to those who could not return home after this terrible incident.
We had tree of the crew and two of the rescue crew visit.
I am leaving out many details of this tragedy, including the very ill-placed Court-martial on the Captain years later. However, there is already many words, placed here, and I have enough trouble writing this. However hearing this in person is more emotional then I can ever portay in words.
A big Salute to all those aboard the USS Indianapolis, and to all who served and are currently serving in the US Armed Forces.
