You Know That Movie 'Jaws'? Yeah, That Was Basically a Documentary Compared to the USS Indianapolis
So, you've heard whispers of the USS Indianapolis, the ship that delivered the atomic bomb parts and then promptly got chomped on by karma (and, more importantly, sharks). You're curious, maybe a little horrified (because, let's face it, who wouldn't be?), about how many sailors ended up as chum in the open ocean. Buckle up, buttercup, because we're diving into the deep end of history (and shark jaws).
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| How Many People Got Eaten By Sharks On The Uss Indianapolis |
The Sinking: From Delivering Bombs to Becoming Fish Food (Not the Ideal Delivery)
The USS Indianapolis was basically on a special delivery mission straight outta Hollywood. It dropped off the parts for the bomb that would eventually be used on Hiroshima, then set sail for the Philippines. Except, Hollywood endings don't involve surprise torpedo attacks by sneaky Japanese subs. Bam! The Indy goes down faster than a toddler with a juice box leak.
Cast Away... With Man-Eating Roommates
Around 900 sailors found themselves rudely ejected into the Pacific Ocean. Not exactly a five-star resort. They had to deal with exposure, dehydration, and the constant threat of, you guessed it, sharks. We're talking oceanic whitetips here, the kind of sharks that look like they showed up to the evolutionary arms race with a spork.
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So, How Many Sailors Became Shark Snacks?
Here's the thing: nobody actually did a headcount while everyone was busy dodging fins and freaking out. Estimates range from a few dozen to a chilling 150. That's a whole lotta nope swimming around.
The survivors clung to life rafts, some even resorting to using the life jackets of the deceased (because, hey, survival mode is real). They were adrift for days, hallucinating, and becoming a buffet for hungry sharks. It was basically a nightmare come true.
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Fun Fact: This horrific event is considered the worst shark attack in history. So next time you watch Jaws, think of the USS Indianapolis and be thankful for the (admittedly large) fictional great white.
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How to Avoid a Similar Aquatic Mishap (Probably Not Helpful on the USS Indianapolis, But Good to Know Anyway)
1. How to Avoid Being Torpedoed by a Japanese Submarine: This one's a tough one. Maybe invent radar a little earlier?
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2. How to Not Become Shark Chum: Don't end up in the middle of the ocean with hundreds of injured people and no way to call for help. General life advice, really.
3. How to Survive a Shark Attack (if You Do End Up in a Sticky Situation): This is where it gets tricky. Ideally, you have some anti-shark spray or a really big knife. Failing that, play dead and hope for the best? (Let's be honest, not the most comforting advice.)
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4. How to Get Help in the Middle of the Ocean: This one wasn't really an option for the Indianapolis crew. Next time you're planning a trans-oceanic raft trip, pack a good satellite phone.
5. How to Get Over Your Fear of Sharks After Hearing This Story: Therapy might be a good option. Or maybe just hug a dolphin?
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