History

USS Indianapolis

Follow a scientific detective story detailing the discovery of the USS Indianapolis wreck site three and a half miles below the Philippine Sea. The ship’s sinking in the final days of WWII was the largest loss of life in US Naval history, and the harrowing survival story of 316 sailors drifting in failing life preservers is legendary.

USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter

1h 25m

In July 1945, the USS Indianapolis has just delivered “Little Boy” – the atomic bomb destined for Hiroshima – when she is sunk by a Japanese sub. 300 sailors go down with her, and the 900 survivors drift for four and a half days, battling the sun, thirst, sharks, and their own fear. Ultimately, only 316 of them are pulled from the sea alive.

Episodes

  • USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter

    S2019 E1 - 1h 25m

    In July 1945, the USS Indianapolis has just delivered “Little Boy” – the atomic bomb destined for Hiroshima – when she is sunk by a Japanese sub. 300 sailors go down with her, and the 900 survivors drift for four and a half days, battling the sun, thirst, sharks, and their own fear. Ultimately, only 316 of them are pulled from the sea alive.

Extras + Features

  • Preview | USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Preview | USS Indianapolis: The Final Chapter

    S2019 E1 - 30s

    Follow a scientific detective story detailing the discovery of the USS Indianapolis wreck site three and a half miles below the Philippine Sea. The ship’s sinking in the final days of WWII was the largest loss of life in US Naval history, and the harrowing survival story of 316 sailors drifting in failing life preservers is legendary.

  • Putting All of the Pieces Together: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Putting All of the Pieces Together

    S2019 E1 - 2m 27s

    The final resting place of the USS Indianapolis has remained a mystery for over 70 years. The deck logs went down with her when she sank and the survivors weren’t able to provide any useful information either. To have any hope in finding Indianapolis, the crew of the R/V Petrel need to pull together all of the clues they can find to help narrow the search.

  • The Search for Indianapolis Hits a Snag: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Search for Indianapolis Hits a Snag

    S2019 E1 - 2m 51s

    The crew of R/V Petrel has mapped out the area of the Philippine Sea where they will search for the Indianapolis. On the second run of their Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, they discover an object that looks like a ship, but it isn’t clear if it’s Indy. They decide to send the Remotely Operated Vehicle to get a closer look, but run into a potentially mission ending mechanical issue in the process.

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