The Deadliest Shipwreck _ Shark Attack in Naval History

September 25, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

The Deadliest Shipwreck in US Naval History

On July 30, 1945, at 12:15 AM, the USS Indianapolis was struck by two Japanese torpedoes and sank in just twelve minutes. Of the 1,195 sailors aboard, roughly 800 survived the initial explosion and found themselves treading open water in the Philippine Sea. Over the next three and a half days, they faced dehydration, sun exposure, saltwater poisoning, and relentless shark attacks. By the time they were rescued, only 316 men remained alive. It remains the deadliest single-ship loss in US naval history and the deadliest shark attack event ever recorded.

The Ship and Its Secret Mission

The USS Indianapolis was a Portland-class cruiser launched in 1931—a massive warship designed to provide artillery support and protect aircraft carriers. Before World War II, it was used primarily for diplomacy, even transporting President Franklin D. Roosevelt to and from South America. After Pearl Harbor, the Indianapolis became a workhorse of the Pacific campaign, serving in major battles including the Aleutian Islands, Makin Atoll, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, the Philippines Sea, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

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What you'll learn

1 (01:00) **Introduction: The Deadliest Naval Disaster and Shark Attack** - Wendigoon frames the episode as the story of the USS Indianapolis, the deadliest single-ship loss in US naval history and the deadliest shark attack ever recorded.
2 (03:32) **The Ship's History and Secret Mission** - The episode traces the Indianapolis from its launch in 1931 through its wartime service, culminating in its top-secret delivery of enriched uranium to Tinian Island.
3 (07:14) **The Final Voyage and Sinking** - The Indianapolis set sail alone from Guam to Leyte, was spotted by a Japanese submarine, and was hit by two torpedoes, sinking in just 12 minutes.
4 (09:15) **Chaos During the Sinking** - Survivors describe being thrown from their bunks, climbing through portholes, and the ship turning over before they were forced to abandon it into a sea of fuel.
5 (10:55) **Entering the Oil-Slicked Water** - Survivors jumped into water thick with fuel oil, which covered them in tar, made them sick, and made it impossible to tell each other apart.
6 (13:18) **The Ordeal Begins: 800 Men in Open Water** - About 800 men were now treading water with few life rafts, no rescue expected, and the immediate threat of dehydration and sun exposure.
7 (15:34) **Dr. Haynes: The Doctor's Account** - Dr. Haynes, the ship's doctor, provided the most detailed account by staying busy, moving from person to person to help without supplies.

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