So You Heard About the Indianapolis? That Sinking Feeling... Almost Everyone Else Did Too
The USS Indianapolis, a mighty ship that delivered a powerful punch in World War II, met its own watery demise in a blink (well, maybe a torpedo's worth of a blink). But what happened to the crew after the Indianapolis went belly-up in the Pacific? Buckle up, history buffs (and shark enthusiasts, maybe this isn't your day), because we're diving deep (metaphorically, of course) into this harrowing tale.
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| How Many Survived The Indianapolis Sinking |
From Heroes to SOS: A Sinking Feeling (Literally)
The Indianapolis had just delivered the parts for a little somethin'-somethin' called the atomic bomb (history buffs, you know what I'm talking about). Bam! Suddenly, a Japanese submarine decided to play "keep away" with the Indianapolis, and let's just say, the Indianapolis wasn't very good at keeping. Around 300 sailors went down with the ship, but that wasn't the end of the story. Oh no, friends, that was just the beginning of a real-life Jaws situation.
Man vs. Ocean vs. Shark: Not a Fight You Want to Be In
Around 900 sailors found themselves adrift, facing the lovely vacation package of exposure, dehydration, saltwater poisoning, and – you guessed it! – sharks. Fun fact: Turns out, sharks are excellent at spotting struggling sailors in the open ocean. Less fun fact: Turns out, sailors aren't very good at outrunning sharks. Tragically, many succumbed to the elements and these unwelcome ocean roommates.
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A Glimmer of Hope (and a Plane!): Rescue at Last!
After four long days (days that probably felt like years when you're floating in the middle of nowhere with a grumpy shark as your neighbor), a patrol plane finally spotted the survivors. Cue the rescue boats, the cheers, and the mass application of anti-shark spray (okay, maybe they didn't have that last one).
But here's the kicker: Out of those 900 sailors who were bobbing around hoping for a miracle, only 316 made it out alive. The rest became a tragic footnote in naval history.
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So How Many Really Survived?
The answer, my friend, is 316. Not exactly a feel-good number, but hey, at least it's not zero, right?
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FAQ: You've Got Questions, We've Got (Short) Answers
How to avoid being eaten by a shark? Well, maybe don't end up stranded in the open ocean after your ship sinks. That's a good first step.
QuickTip: Highlight useful points as you read.
How to become a Navy hero? Probably don't involve getting sunk by a sub. There are other ways to be a hero, like, you know, not sinking.
How to deal with a shipwreck? First, try not to shipwreck. Second, if you do shipwreck, maybe bring a life raft? Just a suggestion.
Tip: Look out for transitions like ‘however’ or ‘but’.
How many atomic bombs did the Indianapolis deliver? They only delivered the parts for one, but that was enough to make history (and end a war).
How to learn more about the Indianapolis? Hit the history books, or you know, keep reading this fantastic article (you're welcome).
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