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USS Indianapolis

Tartan_Terrier

Tartan_Terrier

Badgeman
I've just finished reading 'In Harm's Way' by Doug Stanton, it's a horrifying story about an american cruiser that was sunk in the last days of the war. The survivors weren't rescued until more than four days had passed, and hundreds had succumbed to thirst or shark attack.

http://www.ussindianapolis.org/

Does anyone know of any similar stories involving British ships?
 
There's a film about it called Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the USS Indianapolis.

If I recall correctly, it's worth a watch.
 
Yes, there was massive controversy at the time, the Indianapolis was on the return trip after delivering atom bombs to the US Air Force in the Pacific. The Naval hierachy were so keen to get a conviction on the Captain that they called the Japanese sub skipper to testify against him! (War was over by this point.) For not employing zig zag ASW tactics I think, could be wrong though. Very popular tactic from the brass as you may imagine but they got him with it.
 
I remember watching JAWS the movie ,actor Robert Shaw ,his tattoo was questioned,the worst part of the ordeal was waiting for his turn to be pulled out of the water.
the jap sub skipper backed the captain in court.
Spielberg is about to make the movie of the lead up /sinking of the ship starring Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks - fair dinkum
 
Tingara said:
I remember watching JAWS the movie ,actor Robert Shaw ,his tattoo was questioned,the worst part of the ordeal was waiting for his turn to be pulled out of the water.
the jap sub skipper backed the captain in court.
Spielberg is about to make the movie of the lead up /sinking of the ship starring Russell Crowe and Tom Hanks - fair dinkum
Click to expand...

Really? That'll probably be worth a watch.

I had a look for 'Mission of the Shark' (as mentioned by Chalky), but could only find it on VHS.
 
The sinking of the Indy was one of the darkest days in our naval history. Since the ship was on a classified mission, its position was never reported. Blaming Capt. McVey was an ancient and honored tradition known as "pin-the-blame on the donkey". Equaly tragic was the sinking of the USS Juneau, a light anti-aircraft cruiser near Savo Is. in the Solomons, killing the 5 Sullivan bros. The ships position was reported by an army B-17 bomber, but was not relayed properly, delaying the search. The real crime here was the design of the ships (Atlanta Class), lightly armored and top heavy, they were vulnerable to torpedoes and small-caliber naval gunfire. The two most senior US naval officers to die in WWII, Adm. Norman Scott, and Adm. Thomas Callaghan, were both killed aboard these ships. (Atlanta, San Francisco).
 
Had the priviledge of going aboard the USS Sullivans, a DDE, when we were operating out of Londerry. I believe that the tradgedy was the reason that brothers, fathers & sons are not allowed to serve on the same ship or unit in the US. Also heard that not all the sons in a family can serve
 
The rule you're thinking of: The Sullivans' Law, was never actually passed by our lawmakers. Keeping family members split up is more general policy, than law. (goes for marrieds too) All sons can serve, as long as they are not fully responsible for the welfare of the family. (both my sisters sons were in the army at the same time). It's different for married couples, as the military takes care of the spouse. I haven't been in uniform for years, so this may have changed, in light of current events.
 
Deeps said:
The skipper got charged for it in the end , he killed himself a few years later
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McVay committed suicide in 1968 - more than "a few years later".

It should also be noted that despite what happened, his rose to be a Rear-Admiral in the USN before retiring in 1949.
 
The movie about the USS Indianapolis, Mission of the shark, Ive got it on VHS 8) .

They got torpedoed after shipping the nuclear bomb to a yank base.

Mad the bit when they started drinking the seawater.
 

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