Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Share #1 Posted August 19, 2017 THIS IS legit; USS Indianapolis Presentation with Survivors facebook page 72 years ago, the #USSIndy sank, leaving many of our loved ones ‘Lost at Sea.’ Today, we are extremely excited to announce that it has been found in the Philippine Sea thanks to the incredible efforts of Paul G. Allen and Vulcan Inc. Full details here: http://bit.ly/2fUg7Rt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted August 19, 2017 https://www.ussindianapolis.com/news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted August 19, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- AUGUST 19, 2017 USS Indianapolis Survivors React to the Discovery of their Sunken Ship in the Philippine Sea On August 18th, the Research Vessel (R/V) Petrel identified the final resting place of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) more than three miles below the surface of the Philippine Sea, bringing up bittersweet feelings for those affected by the ship's sinking in the final days of World War II. The wreck site is the final resting place for more than half of the final sailing crew assigned to the WWII heavy cruiser, according to official Naval records. With the assistance of the US Navy and NOAA, the Vulcan team, backed by Microsoft cofounder, Paul Allen, led the expedition aboard R/V Petrel. USS Indianapolis Survivor, and Vice-chairman of the Survivors' organization, Dick Thelen, 90, was absolutely surprised by the news that his ship had been located. "I never thought I'd see this day come!. I'm glad it was found." Coxswain Louis "Kayo" Erwin, survivor of the Indianapolis who served aboard the ship for 2 and a half years prior to the sinking, was happy to hear the good news. "I saw a lot of action on that ship", having been part of most of the 10 battle stars she earned throughout WWII. "I'm very very proud of my service, and I'm happy to hear she's finally been found. This is wonderful news! The ship's dentist, Lt. Cmdr. Earl Henry, was lost during the sinking. His son, Earl Henry Jr. is "grateful that Paul Allen has gone to such great lengths to locate the USS Indianapolis, which our family regards as my father's burial site," and that "My wife and I were not expecting the emotional reaction we experienced this morning when we received the news that the Indianapolis had been found." The Indianapolis served President Roosevelt as ship of state, and Admiral Spruance as the 5th Fleet flagship in WWII. She fought gallantly through many campaigns, earning ten battle stars. Her final top secret mission was to carry parts of the first atomic bomb used in combat to a U.S. air base on Tinian. Just a few nights later, on July 30th,1945 she fell prey to a Japanese submarine. In the next twelve minutes of fire and chaos, about 330 of her crew would be lost with the ship, and the rest--some 880 men--would be left alone in the Pacific in the middle of the night. For the next 5 days, without food or water, the crew battled the elements, dodged shark attacks, and clung to life as best they could. Her sinking led to the greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy. Of the 1,196 sailors and marines on board, only 317 survived. There are 19 remaining survivors alive today. Amongst a large debris field, the crew of the R/V Petrel has discovered a portion of the bow, and has used a remotely operated vehicle to collect video of several identifying features, confirming the identity of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). They will continue to survey the site, which they are treating with respect as a war grave. This is the latest wreck discovery for Paul Allen's team. "We try to do these both as really exciting examples of underwater archaeology, and as tributes to the brave men that went down with the ships." The discovery of the USS Indianapolis closes a chapter in US Naval History that has remained open for decades, finally giving resolution to the surviving crew, and to more than 800 families who lost loved ones aboard the fated cruiser. According to Earl Henry, "There will be a lot of crying today among families of the lost-at-sea but hopefully it will eventually lead to some closure." Of the 1,196 men who served aboard the ship, 39 men formed the Marine Detachment. Only 9 survived the sinking, and one still lives today. Edgar Harrell, the sole remaining Marine survivor was elated to hear the news. “Praise the Lord! Tomorrow is my anniversary and this is the best anniversary present I could have received!" For more information regarding the USS Indianapolis, or to speak with members of the Survivors Organization, contact: Captain Bill Toti, USN (Ret)Honorary USS Indianapolis Survivor(214) 620-8070[email protected] Sara VladicUSS Indianapolis Historian and Honorary Survivor(310) 270-8872[email protected] Kim RollerUSS Indianapolis Honorary Survivor(360) 292-9659[email protected] Peggy CampoDaughter of Survivor, Donald McCall & Survivor's Org. Secretary(217) 377-9783[email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted August 19, 2017 Share #4 Posted August 19, 2017 OUTSTANDING!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schofield1943 Posted August 19, 2017 Share #5 Posted August 19, 2017 Paul Allen and his crew have really done some incredible work these last few years. Some photos on his Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/PaulGAllen?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes Posted August 19, 2017 Share #6 Posted August 19, 2017 Rip all who were lost on the Indy. Exciting news.I hope at some point there will be video of this historic shipwreck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted August 19, 2017 Share #7 Posted August 19, 2017 That is great news!Hopefully there will be some closure for all connected to her tragic end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted August 19, 2017 Share #8 Posted August 19, 2017 Pic from Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/PaulGAllen/status/898953840015228928?p=v Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted August 19, 2017 Paul Allen and his crew have really done some incredible work these last few years. Some photos on his Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/PaulGAllen?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor thank you for adding this link -dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decwriter Posted August 19, 2017 Share #10 Posted August 19, 2017 That is fantastic news!!! We never forget... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted August 19, 2017 Share #11 Posted August 19, 2017 This is exciting news. I'm also amazed at the condition of the wreckage for being down there over seventy years and the rust has barely covered anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted August 19, 2017 Share #12 Posted August 19, 2017 Wow...to see photos of it, today, in color, is simply breathtaking! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted August 19, 2017 1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #14 Posted August 19, 2017 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #15 Posted August 19, 2017 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted August 19, 2017 Share #16 Posted August 19, 2017 What's that last shot? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share #17 Posted August 19, 2017 What's that last shot? An image shot from a remotely operated vehicle shows wreckage which appears to be one of the two anchor windlass mechanisms from the forecastle of the ship. Note the star-emblazoned capstans in this photo dated July 12, 1945 just weeks before the ship was lost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted August 19, 2017 Share #18 Posted August 19, 2017 Great event. Wonderful pics. Hope there will be a video. Paul Allen spends his mega-bucks on great things! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted August 19, 2017 Share #19 Posted August 19, 2017 Thanks for posting the great pictures. I hope more are released. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burning Hazard Posted August 20, 2017 Share #20 Posted August 20, 2017 Interesting find! From another article, they state that USS Indianapolis sits at 5500 m (18,000 ft) below the sea. Compare that to the Titanic which sits at 3800 m (12,500 ft), this would probably explain why the Indianapolis is so well preserved. Pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted August 20, 2017 Share #21 Posted August 20, 2017 I heard the news earlier today, it is nice that any living survivors can perhaps find some closure in knowing their ship has been found. What's that last shot? That is the forecastle, the portion of the bow is laying on it's side. So you are seeing the main deck laying vertical. The green delineates the border of the image, and the red represents the silt buildup. Either it is a big mound against the side (probable) or it is partly buried, because it is covering a little over the centerline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share #22 Posted August 20, 2017 The depth the cold and lack of 02 is why its so well preserved I was told that by scientist who helped locate her earlier today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thor996 Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share #23 Posted August 20, 2017 Great event. Wonderful pics. Hope there will be a video. Paul Allen spends his mega-bucks on great things! USS Indianapolis Presentation with Survivors facebook page has within last few hours put up released video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bellasilva Posted August 20, 2017 Share #24 Posted August 20, 2017 Can't deny that I choked up a bit when I heard the news, and especially when I saw the first pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pathfinder11 Posted August 20, 2017 Share #25 Posted August 20, 2017 A friend of mine, Dr. Richard Hulver, made the key breakthrough in helping Paul Allen locate the wreck. He was able to identify LST-779 as the last ship to sight Indianapolis and this discovery shifted the search area for where the cruiser was believed sunk: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/f/final-contact-uss-indianapolis-passes-uss-lst-779-29-jul-1945.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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