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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

Loss of USS Indianapolis (CA-35), 30 July 1945

On 30 July 1945, while in transit from Guam to the Philippines, USS Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese Submarine I-58. She was the last major U.S. Navy ship to be lost in the Second World War, and the loss of life in the tragedy was very large. This page features views related to the ship's loss and the rescue of her survivors.

For bibliographical and archival information on this event, see The Sinking of USS Indianapolis

Additional pictures of Indianapolis will be found on the following pages:
USS Indianapolis, selected views;
USS Indianapolis in 1932-1941;
USS Indianapolis in 1942;
USS Indianapolis in 1943;
USS Indianapolis in 1944;
USS Indianapolis in 1945;
USS Indianapolis Actions and Activities: May 1934 Naval Review off New York City;
USS Indianapolis Actions and Activities: Presidential South American Tour, 1936;
USS Indianapolis Actions and Activities: Miscellaneous World War II activities;
and
USS Indianapolis Onboard Views, 1932-1945.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 73655

USS Indianapolis (CA-35)


Preparing to leave Tinian after delivering atomic bomb components, circa 26 July 1945.
She was sunk on 30 July, while en route to the Philippines.

Donation of Major Harley G. Toomey, Jr., USAF(Retired), 1971. He took this photograph.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 

Photo #: 80-G-702117

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


Chart of the western Pacific, showing Indianapolis' track from Guam to her reported sinking location, with a dashed extension showing her intended route to the Philippines.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 95KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490322

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


Indianapolis' survivors en route to a hospital following their rescue, circa early August 1945.
Ambulance in the background is marked "U.S.N. Base Hospital No. 20", which was located on Pelelieu.
Photograph was released 14 August 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 122KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-5987 (Color)

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


USS Tranquillity (AH-14) arrives at Guam, carrying survivors of USS Indianapolis (CA-35), 8 August 1945.
The bow of USS Steele (DE-8) is in the foreground.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Note on color quality: The original ANSCO transparency has degraded color, with purples and greens predominating. This has been somewhat corrected in this reproduction.

Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-5979 (Color)

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


USS Tranquillity (AH-14) arrives at Guam, carrying survivors of USS Indianapolis (CA-35), 8 August 1945.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Note on color quality: The original ANSCO transparency has degraded color, with purples and greens predominating. This has been somewhat corrected in this reproduction.

Online Image: 78KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-5986 (Color)

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


Survivors of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) are brought ashore from USS Tranquillity (AH-14) at Guam, 8 August 1945. Nurses and sailors are watching from the hospital ship's deck.
Note Tranquillity's nested lifeboats. Also busses on the pier.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Note on color quality: The original ANSCO transparency has degraded color, with purples and greens predominating. This has been somewhat corrected in this reproduction.

Online Image: 114KB; 580 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-5988 (Color)

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


Survivors of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) are brought ashore from USS Tranquillity (AH-14) at Guam, 8 August 1945. They are being placed in Ambulances for immediate transfer to local hospitals.
Photographed by PhoM1c J.G. Mull.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Note on color quality: The original ANSCO transparency has degraded color, with purples and greens predominating. This has been somewhat corrected in this reproduction.

Online Image: 111KB; 740 x 605 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-490321

Loss of USS Indianapolis, July 1945


Indianapolis' last Commanding Officer, Captain Charles B. McVay, III, tells War Correspondents about the sinking of his ship. Photographed on Guam in August 1945, following the rescue of her survivors.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 580 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

For other views relevant to Indianapolis' loss, see Japanese Submarine I-58

Additional pictures of Indianapolis will be found on the following pages:
USS Indianapolis, selected views;
USS Indianapolis in 1932-1941;
USS Indianapolis in 1942;
USS Indianapolis in 1943;
USS Indianapolis in 1944;
USS Indianapolis in 1945;
USS Indianapolis Actions and Activities: May 1934 Naval Review off New York City;
USS Indianapolis Actions and Activities: Presidential South American Tour, 1936;
USS Indianapolis Actions and Activities: Miscellaneous World War II activities;
and
USS Indianapolis Onboard Views, 1932-1945.

Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

31 December 1998