I am new to this board and love the website on the USS Indianapolis. I am really looking forward to Ocean of Fear: Worst Shark Attack, airing tomorrow night on the first night of Shark Week. I just wondered if anyone else plans on watching it? Also, I love Woody's story. He was a true hero and I wish I could have met him. Melody

Melody,

Welcome to the Board and thank you for your interest. I was lucky enough to know Woody and he truly was amazing man. He was very kind and generous and gave great hugs! He was a great father and loved his family and those I met were like him, wonderful people.

In the book Only 317 Survived (a compilation of each of the Survivors experiences written by them or loved ones), Woody's always makes me cry, it's much more detailed than what is on this site. It is interesting to read the different accounts in their own words. 

To order the book follow this link: http://www.ussindianapolis.org/317.htm proceeds go to the survivors organization.

I will be watching tomorrow with Eugene Morgan a survivor from Seattle. I am excited to see what he thinks of it. I hope it is not too painful for him to watch.

I am sure this site will really pick up after tomorrow.

Deone

Deone, Thank you for welcoming me to the board. How wonderful you will be watching the show tonight with Mr. Morgan. Please let us know his opinion of it and tell him my thoughts are with him as they are all heroes in my mind. Every time I see the advertisement for the show I can't help but think of every person that was on board the USS Indianapolis. My heart goes out to them and their families. I printed out the order blank for the book which I will purchase this week and can't wait to read. I hope everyone has a great day my thoughts will be with you all tonight as we watch what truly was "The Worst Shark Attack." Melody

I often think of the USS INDIANAPOLIS and its crew. I wonder what would would have happened if...

The ship my Papa was on, USS BUCKINGHAM , heading from Philippines  -was 60 miles from the INDY at the time of the attack , and 40 miles away two hours later. These figures were calculated later by the BUCKINGHAM's Quartermaster after news of the sinking came out. The 60 mile figure was also mentioned in the memiors of the Senior Watch Officer, Lt Claude E. Fike.

So, assuming that the BUCKINGHAM did not change course, the ship would have been in the area of the INDY's sinking around 5 am. Was it still too dark for the men in the Crow's Nests to see people floating in the water?  I honestly don't know . My Papa often stated to me that  that night was the darkest he had ever seen at sea.

Yesterday, I asked Harry Mack, who was a Coxswain on the BUCKINGHAM, about radio distress signals being received. Harry said the ship's Captain was leery about Japanese faking distress singals. To me, it is inconceivble that the distress signals were not received from only 60 miles away. I am skeptical of the Deck Log for that day - which conflicts veteran testimony.

I wonder if the BUCKINGHAM had arrived in the area a few hours later, or earlier,  if Fate would have been changed.

My family and I watched this on Discovery Channnel last night.  This tragedy should be thoroughly studied by every student in every history class.  (I honestly don't remember it being covered in mine.)  These men were truly heroes and epitomize the word "survivor".  I have "googled" this subject today and have been truly touched by their stories.

My sincere appreciation and thanks to the entire crew, those still with us and those who passed on.

Angela

I thought the show was good but I do wish they had talked with the survivors more than they did.  I can't wait to get the book written by them.
I can't imagine the nightmares these men must have had after something sooo horrible. I never studied it in history class either and that is a very sad thing.

I want to do a project on it.... That would be awesome.