The U.S.S. Indianapolis Tragedy

Free admission!

The “Indy” sailed from San Francisco to the island of Tinian carrying a top secret cargo, the primary components for the atomic bomb that would be used on Hiroshima. After the delivery was made, the cruiser continued its journey to the Philippine island of Leyte. This journey was
cut short on July 30, 1945. Just after midnight, the U.S.S. Indianapolis was hit by two Japanese torpedoes and sank in 12 minutes. Approximately 300 of her crew of 1,127 went down with the ship. Contending with the effects exposure, dehydration, salt water poisoning and shark attacks the remaining sailors fought an epic battle of survival. Of the remaining 900, only 317 would be rescued four and half days later. Of the entire crew, 99 hailed from Michigan, mostly from the Detroit and Lansing area. Only 19 of this group would be rescued.

The sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, and the subsequent loss of life, rates as one of the greatest tragedies in the history of the U.S. Navy. The wreckage of the “Indy” was discovered on August 19, 2017 in an expedition financed by Paul Allen. The ship rests at a depth of 18,000 feet, 3.5 miles at the bottom of the Philippine Sea. Today only 17 Indy survivors remain, including Richard Thelen, the only remaining Michigan survivor. Thelen will join us for a screening of a recent documentary about the discovery of his ship. Afterwards, he’ll talk about the sinking and the battle for survival that claimed the lives of most of his shipmates. This program promises to be both emotional and fascinating – one you’ll not want to miss.