USS Indianapolis CA-35

The USS Indianapolis was a Portland-class cruiser and the second to be named for the city in Indiana. Construction for the Indianapolis began on March 31, 1930, and she was launched on November 7, 1931 under the sponsorship of Miss Lucy Taggart. She was then commissioned on November 15, 1932 under the command of Captain John M. Smeallie.

History of the USS Indianapolis CA-35

The Indianapolis experienced her shakedown in the Atlantic in February 1932 and then headed off to training in the Panama Canal Zone and in the Pacific. She then had an overhaul performed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard before sailing with President Roosevelt. On July 4, 1933, she acted as a flagship until World War II started.

When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the Indianapolis was in the middle of a simulation at Johnston Island. After the attack, she joined Task Force 12 in the search for Japanese carriers. She saw action in February 1942 in the South Pacific when American ships were attacked by bombers. A total of 16 planes were shot down and all of the ships avoided damage. In March, she attacked Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea and was able to inflict heavy damage on the Japanese.

The Indianapolis then returned to Mare Island for a refit before escorting a convoy to Australia. She then headed to the North Pacific to the Aleutian Islands. The weather was bad, but on August 7, 1942, the Indianapolis and the rest of the task force engaged the Japanese at Kiska Island. In early 1943, the Indianapolis assisted with the occupation of Amchitka. In mid-February, she headed southwest of Attu where she destroyed the Akagane Maru, leaving behind no survivors. In the spring and summer, she continued operations in Aleutian waters as an escort.

The Indianapolis then experienced another refitting at Mare Island before returning to Hawaii. There she became the flagship of the 5th Fleet and headed out on November 10, 1943 for the invasion of the Gilbert Island. Later in the month, she bombarded Tarawa Atoll and Makin and acted as fire-support. From there, she participated in the conquest of the Marshall Islands before heading on to the Kwajalein Atoll in January 1944.

In March and April, the Indianapolis attacked the Western Carolines, preventing the Japanese from interfering with operations in New Guinea. Then in June, the Indianapolis played a major role in the Battle of Saipan. She attacked Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima in the Marianas, inflicting heavy damage on the Japanese forces. She returned to Saipan in late June and operated out of the Marianas for several weeks. In September, she attacked Peleliu and Manus before returning to the Mare Island Navy Yard for an overhaul.

After her overhaul, the Indianapolis joined the Fast Carrier Attack Force in February 1945 for the attacks on Tokyo and assisted with the landings on Iwo Jima. From there, the Task Force headed to the Bonins and remained there until the first of March. She departed Ulithi on March 14, 1945 headed for Japan. They attacked the harbors of Kobe and Kure, and then started the pre-invasion bombardment of Okinawa on March 24.

The Indianapolis fired on the beach defenses for seven days, as well as fired on the enemy aircraft attacking the ships. On March 31, she was attacked by an enemy plane and before she could destroy it, the plane dropped a bomb through her deck. The bomb fell through the ship and exploded beneath it. The force blew two holes in the ship and flooded compartments, forcing her to go for repairs. She was able to return to Mare Island Navy Yard on her own.

The Indianapolis left San Francisco on July 16, arriving at Pearl Harbor three days later and proceeding on to Tinian, where she arrived on the July 26. She dropped off parts for the atomic bomb and then headed to Guam before proceeding to Leyte. En route to Leyte on July 30, 1945, she was attacked by a Japanese submarine and eventually sank.

The loss of the Indianapolis was not noted until she failed to arrive at Leyte on schedule, even though she sent out a distress call. Even then, her absence was not immediately known. The distress calls went unheeded as a result of negligence of the commanders and thoughts that it might be a Japanese prank. To this day, the exact location of the Indianapolis is not known and expeditions to find her wreckage have been unsuccessful.

Asbestos Hazards

The loss of the Indianapolis was a tragic one. However, further tragedies are still associated with the ship as the use of asbestos was incorporated into the ship's initial construction. The Indianapolis was built by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation, which was one of the busiest shipyards in the world during World War II. Located in Camden, New Jersey, it immediately became successful, building over 600 ships for the Navy and 70 for World War II alone.

Like other shipyards of the time, the New York Shipbuilding Corporation used asbestos in its construction of ships. Asbestos was commonly used as insulation, being that it was resistant to heat and fire. However, when asbestos is used, tiny particles of the mineral can break off into the air. If these particles are inhaled or swallowed, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs and other organs, causing lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The sailors and shipyard workers were not informed of this hazard, though they were potentially exposed to the asbestos on a daily basis. Because of this, many have since fallen ill. They are now filing legal actions against the companies responsible for their exposure for failure to warn or protect them.

If you served aboard the Indianapolis or worked at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related medical condition, you may have legal options for compensation. For more information, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a free informational packet.

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