Ocean of Fear

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi:

As part of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week", they ran a show entitled "Ocean of Fear" that was a dramatic recreation of the ordeal suffered by the USS Indianapolis after her sinking in July 1945. Apparently this first aired last summer. It is appropriately enough narrated by Richard Dreyfus of "Jaws" fame.

The program consists of actual interviews with survivors as well as a dramatic recreation of the sinking and the sufferings of the crew as they waited for rescue. There is also a re-enactment of the naval inquiry where various officers and crew are questioned and give their testimony. Interestingly enough while there were shark attacks, it appears that the vast majority of the crew casualties were due to wounds already received, esposure, thirst and exhaustion. The sharks while circling tended to attack the dead sailors who were floating away from the groups of survivors. After all they were easier prey. Still if you have not seen this show it was moving and disturbing. When you listen to 80 year old vets speak about it, you realize they can never forget the horror they experienced.

[Mike Malanaphy]

Hi:

As part of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week", they ran a show entitled "Ocean of Fear" that was a dramatic recreation of the ordeal suffered by the USS Indianapolis after her sinking in July 1945. Apparently this first aired last summer. It is appropriately enough narrated by Richard Dreyfus of "Jaws" fame.

The program consists of actual interviews with survivors as well as a dramatic recreation of the sinking and the sufferings of the crew as they waited for rescue. There is also a re-enactment of the naval inquiry where various officers and crew are questioned and give their testimony. Interestingly enough while there were shark attacks, it appears that the vast majority of the crew casualties were due to wounds already received, esposure, thirst and exhaustion. The sharks while circling tended to attack the dead sailors who were floating away from the groups of survivors. After all they were easier prey. Still if you have not seen this show it was moving and disturbing. When you listen to 80 year old vets speak about it, you realize they can never forget the horror they experienced.

Hi Ed,

I've seen it before and very harrowing to see. Her Capt McVay was found negligent at his court martial, but was exonerated by the navy just a few years back after he had died. he obviously had a strongly loyal crew which fought for years to reinstate his reputation.

[asnrobert]

I learned today that today is the anniversary of the USS Indianapolis sinking- check out this link:
http://www.ussindianapolis.org/monument.htm

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi Ed,

I've seen it before and very harrowing to see. Her Capt McVay was found negligent at his court martial, but was exonerated by the navy just a few years back after he had died. he obviously had a strongly loyal crew which fought for years to reinstate his reputation.

Mike:

I agree. We had a discussion about the captain's court martial several years ago and the verdict was split. The hardliners feeling he didn't take necessary steps to protect his ship and others of us feeling he got a raw deal as the USN covered its ass for its part in the debacle. Sadly enough the navy seems to do this rather than fix flaws in the system.

[Ed Rotondaro]

I learned today that today is the anniversary of the USS Indianapolis sinking- check out this link:
http://www.ussindianapolis.org/monument.htm

Thanks Robert. I especially liked the very many facts that were listed under the captain's link. Denied requested escort. Denied intel about a known sub in his path (gotta protect Ultra after all). Denied intel that a DE was sunk on the path he was following. Nice job USN. King and Nimitz should have been court martialed.:mad:

[Mike Malanaphy]

Thanks Robert. I especially liked the very many facts that were listed under the captain's link. Denied requested escort. Denied intel about a known sub in his path (gotta protect Ultra after all). Denied intel that a DE was sunk on the path he was following. Nice job USN. King and Nimitz should have been court martialed.:mad:


Hi Ed,

Another example of too much success. The Japanese submarine effort had been so ineffective that they were not seen as a threat requiring convoying or escorting major warchips. Also, under the routing system, the Indianpolis not showing up ddi not raise any red flags to trigger a search and rescue effort. You can fault McVay for ot zigzagging, but it ws such a chance encounter that it could have just as easily happened if she were.

[Ed Rotondaro]

Hi Ed,

Another example of too much success. The Japanese submarine effort had been so ineffective that they were not seen as a threat requiring convoying or escorting major warchips. Also, under the routing system, the Indianpolis not showing up ddi not raise any red flags to trigger a search and rescue effort. You can fault McVay for ot zigzagging, but it ws such a chance encounter that it could have just as easily happened if she were.

Mike:

I agree, Indy's speed alone would have probably made it impossible for the sub to catch her if she hadn't been positioned perfectly. The article also mentions that this was the only time a warship of this size had gone unescorted during the campaign. Imagine if the IJN had caught her on her way with the components of the A-bomb and sank her?

[asnrobert]

search and rescue effort. You can fault McVay for ot zigzagging, but it ws such a chance encounter that it could have just as easily happened if she were.

The Japanese skipper (who had been brought over for the court-martial) testified he would have hit the Indianapolis whether she had been zig-zagging or not, and a US sub skipper who was a witness for the prosecution said the same thing. Plus it was not standard procedure to zigzag at night.

[paladin5]

Hi:

As part of Discovery Channel's "Shark Week", they ran a show entitled "Ocean of Fear" that was a dramatic recreation of the ordeal suffered by the USS Indianapolis after her sinking in July 1945. Apparently this first aired last summer. It is appropriately enough narrated by Richard Dreyfus of "Jaws" fame.

The program consists of actual interviews with survivors as well as a dramatic recreation of the sinking and the sufferings of the crew as they waited for rescue. There is also a re-enactment of the naval inquiry where various officers and crew are questioned and give their testimony. Interestingly enough while there were shark attacks, it appears that the vast majority of the crew casualties were due to wounds already received, esposure, thirst and exhaustion. The sharks while circling tended to attack the dead sailors who were floating away from the groups of survivors. After all they were easier prey. Still if you have not seen this show it was moving and disturbing. When you listen to 80 year old vets speak about it, you realize they can never forget the horror they experienced.

Hmm i will have to catch it if they ever show it again.

[Ed Rotondaro]

The Japanese skipper (who had been brought over for the court-martial) testified he would have hit the Indianapolis whether she had been zig-zagging or not, and a US sub skipper who was a witness for the prosecution said the same thing. Plus it was not standard procedure to zigzag at night.

Robert:

Thanks for more insights into this tragic event. I've always felt that the zig-zag factor was bogus.