The Indianapolis: From Delivering Nukes to Nearly Getting Nuked by Nature (But Seriously, How Many Sailors Died?)
The USS Indianapolis, a ship that went from top-secret atomic errand boy to monster chow in a blink of an eye. Sure, it delivered the parts for the bomb that ended World War II, but what happened next is a story of epic survival (and some unfortunate encounters with very hungry ocean vacuum cleaners).
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| How Many People Died On The Indianapolis |
So, how many sailors went from nuke delivery to nearly becoming chum?
This is where things get a bit murky. The ship went down fast, taking around 300 sailors with it. But that's just the tip of the iceberg (or should we say shark fin?). The remaining 800 or so heroes found themselves in the drink with basically a pool noodle and a lukewarm hope for rescue.
Exposure, dehydration, and yes, those oceanic predators with the munchies took a heavy toll. By the time help arrived, only 316 sailors remained. Rough night at the office, right?
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
Wait, Shark Attacks? You're Telling Me There Were Sharks?!
Yup. Turns out when you're floating around in the open ocean, smelling like fear and saltwater, you become a gourmet appetizer for the local shark population. Turns out even sharks like their meals patriotic.
Moral of the story: Don't end up in the water with a bunch of hungry sharks unless you brought snacks (and maybe some shark spray...just in case).
QuickTip: Revisit this post tomorrow — it’ll feel new.
How to Avoid a Similar Aquatic Mishap (Disclaimer: I Wasn't There, This is Mostly Jokes)
How to avoid getting sunk by a Japanese submarine? This one might be a tough ask considering the whole "past event" thing, but maybe try wearing a really, really bright life jacket? High visibility is key!
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How to make friends with sharks? This might be even trickier. Maybe offer them some non-sailor snacks? A nice kelp salad perhaps?
QuickTip: Don’t just scroll — process what you see.
How to survive a shipwreck? Life jacket, people! Life jacket! Also, maybe pack some emergency rations that aren't seawater (not a great flavor profile).
How to deal with dehydration? Again, not seawater. Maybe bring a reusable water bottle next time you're planning a high-stakes naval mission.
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
How to become a Navy hero? Well, that's a much longer conversation, but let's just say the crew of the Indianapolis definitely qualifies.
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