USS Indianapolis (CA-35) facts for kids

The USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a powerful heavy cruiser ship in the United States Navy. It was named after the city of Indianapolis, Indiana. This ship became famous for a very important secret mission during World War II and for a tragic event that followed.

The Indianapolis at Pearl Harbor in 1937

The USS Indianapolis: A Brave Ship

The USS Indianapolis was a large warship built to be strong and fast. It was called a "heavy cruiser" because of its size and the powerful weapons it carried. The ship served the United States Navy for many years, especially during World War II. It played an important role in several battles and operations.

A Secret Mission

In July 1945, near the end of World War II, the USS Indianapolis was given a top-secret mission. It had to deliver crucial parts for the first atomic bomb to a United States air base on the island of Tinian. This was a very important and dangerous task. The crew knew they were carrying something vital, but they did not know exactly what it was.

After successfully delivering the parts, the Indianapolis was sailing alone in the Pacific Ocean.

The Sinking and the Struggle

On July 30, 1945, just after midnight, a Japanese submarine named I-58 attacked the USS Indianapolis. The submarine fired torpedoes, which hit the ship. The Indianapolis sank very quickly, in only 12 minutes.

Out of 1,196 crew members on board, about 300 went down with the ship. The remaining 900 sailors were left floating in the open ocean. They had very few lifeboats and almost no food or water.

The survivors faced terrible challenges. They suffered from extreme cold at night and dehydration (lack of water) during the hot days. Many also suffered from saltwater poisoning from drinking ocean water. Worst of all, they faced constant shark attacks.

The Rescue and Aftermath

For four long days, the Navy did not know the Indianapolis had sunk. There was no distress call sent out, and the ship was not reported missing.

Finally, on August 2, 1945, a PV-1 Ventura aircraft on a routine patrol spotted the survivors in the water. Help was quickly sent, and rescue ships arrived.

Out of the nearly 900 sailors who survived the sinking, only 317 were rescued alive. The sinking of the USS Indianapolis is one of the worst naval disasters in United States history. It is a powerful story of courage, survival, and tragedy.

Images for kids

• 

  Indianapolis in 1939

• 

  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

• 

  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 National Memorial

See also

In Spanish: USS Indianapolis (CA-35) para niños