Ordeal by Sea

The harrowing tale centers on the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which was torpedoed shortly after delivering atomic bomb components during World War II. In just 12 minutes, the ship sank, leaving 900 survivors to battle the elements, dehydration, and shark attacks in the Pacific Ocean. With only 317 men ultimately rescued, it marks the U.S. Navy's worst single loss of life at sea. Author Thomas Helm, a former crew member, draws on survivor interviews and includes photographs and a crew list, providing a comprehensive account of this tragic event.