Paul Allen, billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, confirmed just after noon Saturday via Twitter that he and his 13-man crew discovered the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis, which was sank during an attack in World War II.
The ship’s wreckage was said to be found in the Philippine Sea at a depth of over 18,000 feet.
The attack occurred as the USS Indianapolis was headed back to the Philippines after delivering parts for the “Little Boy,” the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War II.
The Portland-class cruiser sank in 12 minutes on July 30, 1945, after it was struck by a Japanese torpedo. Initially, only about 900 of the 1,197-man crew survived the sinking, but after facing dehydration and exposure, drowning, and shark attacks, only 316 were left alive. The disaster became the U.S. Navy’s single greatest loss at sea.
We’ve located wreckage of USS Indianapolis in Philippine Sea at 5500m below the sea. ’35’ on hull 1st confirmation: https://t.co/V29TLj1Ba4 pic.twitter.com/y5S7AU6OEl
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) August 19, 2017
Important chapter of WWII history concludes–I hope survivors/families gain some closure. Anchor and ship’s bell seen here. #USSIndianapolis pic.twitter.com/Kk1YrcaeN1
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) August 19, 2017
#RVPetrel’s search for #USSIndianapolis continues—more info and pictures to come: https://t.co/8nNBj1iaO4 pic.twitter.com/bzD86dSX57
— Paul Allen (@PaulGAllen) August 19, 2017
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