USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a Portland-class heavy cruiser of the United States Navy. She holds a place in history due to the notorious circumstances of her demise, which was the worst single loss of life in the history of the United States Navy. After delivering the first atomic bomb to be used in combat to the United States air base at Tinian Island on 26 July 1945, she was in the Philippine Sea when attacked at 00:14 on 30 July 1945, by a Japanese submarine. Most of the crew was lost to shark attacks, as they floated helplessly for several days, waiting for assistance.

Service before World War II

Indianapolis was laid down on 31 March 1930 by the New York Shipbuilding Corp., Camden, New Jersey; launched on 7 November 1931; sponsored by Miss Lucy Taggart, daughter of the late Senator Thomas Taggart, a former mayor of Indianapolis; and commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 15 November 1932, Captain John M. Smeallie in command.

Related Topics:
31 March - 1930 - New York Shipbuilding Corp. - Camden, New Jersey - 7 November - 1931 - Philadelphia Navy Yard - 15 November - 1932

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Following shakedown in the Atlantic and Guantanamo Bay until 23 February 1932, Indianapolis trained in the Panama Canal Zone and in Pacific off the Chilean coast. After overhaul at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the heavy cruiser sailed to Maine to embark President Roosevelt at Campobello Island, in the Canadian province of New Brunswick, on 1 July 1933. Getting underway the same day, Indianapolis arrived at Annapolis two days later where she entertained six members of the cabinet. After disembarking the President, she departed Annapolis on 4 July 1933, and returned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

Related Topics:
Atlantic - Guantanamo Bay - 23 February - 1932 - Panama Canal Zone - Chile - Maine - President Roosevelt - Campobello Island - 1 July - 1933 - Annapolis - 4 July

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On 6 September 1933, Secretary of the Navy Claude A. Swanson broke his flag in Indianapolis for an inspection tour of the Pacific, visiting the Canal Zone, Hawaii, and the fleet in the San Pedro-San Diego area. He debarked at San Diego 27 October, and Indianapolis became flagship of the Scouting Force on 1 November 1933. Following maneuvers off the West Coast, she departed Long Beach, Calif., on 9 April 1934 and arrived New York City on 29 May 1934. There she again embarked the President and his party for a review of the Fleet. She arrived Long Beach on 9 November 1934 for tactical war problems with the Scouting Fleet.

Related Topics:
6 September - 1933 - Secretary of the Navy - Claude A. Swanson - Hawaii - San Diego - Flagship - Scouting Force - 1 November - Long Beach, Calif. - 9 April - 1934 - New York City - 29 May - 9 November

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Indianapolis acted as flagship for the remainder of her peacetime career, and again welcomed President Roosevelt at Charleston, South Carolina, on 18 November 1936 for a "Good-Neighbor" cruise to South America. After carrying President Roosevelt to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo for state visits, she returned to Charleston on 15 December where the presidential party left the ship.

Related Topics:
Charleston, South Carolina - 18 November - 1936 - South America - Rio de Janeiro - Buenos Aires - Montevideo

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