The fewer than 900 men who survived the sinking were adrift in the ocean - exposed to dehydration, salt water poisoning, and shark attacks. There were only a few lifeboats (the rest of the men were in the water - some without even lifejackets) and little food and water. And it took four days for the Navy to find out that the ship had been sunk.
While they were in the water for those four days, the sailors suffered from lack of food and water (leading to hypernatremia and dehydration), exposure to the elements (leading to hypothermia and peeling of their skin), the most shark attacks in human history, and the resulting delirium and hallucinations which lead to some committing suicide.
Update: 72 years after it was torpedoed and sank, the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis has been found as of 8/23/2017. Because of the location of the wreck 18,000 feet below the sea surface it is in amazing condition. You can read more about the discovery at the US Naval Institute.
Click "next page" below to read about Desmond Doss, the real life World War II hero.
While they were in the water for those four days, the sailors suffered from lack of food and water (leading to hypernatremia and dehydration), exposure to the elements (leading to hypothermia and peeling of their skin), the most shark attacks in human history, and the resulting delirium and hallucinations which lead to some committing suicide.
Update: 72 years after it was torpedoed and sank, the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis has been found as of 8/23/2017. Because of the location of the wreck 18,000 feet below the sea surface it is in amazing condition. You can read more about the discovery at the US Naval Institute.
Click "next page" below to read about Desmond Doss, the real life World War II hero.
AncientFaces 
