The USS Indianapolis at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, circa 1937. | U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Wreckage of USS Indianapolis discovered by civilian researchers

A team of civilian researchers said Saturday they have found the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis, the legendary World War II cruiser that was torpedoed and sunk during the final days of the war and until now was lost at sea.

“To be able to honor the brave men of the USS Indianapolis and their families through the discovery of a ship that played such a significant role during World War II is truly humbling," said Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Paul G. Allen, who owns the research vessel that found the wreckage, in a statement released by the Naval History and Heritage Command.


Attacked by a Japanese submarine in the early morning of July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis sank in just 12 minutes. According to the release, only 317 sailors and Marines on board survived out of a crew of over 1,000.

Shortly before it sank, the Indianapolis completed a secret mission and delivered components for the first ever atomic bomb to be deployed, Little Boy.

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The 16-person crew that discovered the wreckage will continue work in the coming weeks to survey the cruiser, now located 5,500 meters below the surface, resting on the floor of the North Pacific Ocean.

The research crew said it remains in close contact with U.S. Navy officials, including on how to honor the 22 crew members that are still alive today and families of the deceased.