Disaster at Philippine Sea

CEBU, Philippines - Based on true accounts of those who have survived during the waning days of World War II, the thrilling “USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage” tells of the Navy warship that secretly delivered one of two atomic bombs that would eventually end the war.

Showing the worst sea disaster in the history of the US Navy, the film stars Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore, Thomas Jane, Matt Lanter, Brian Presley and Cody Walker.

When the Japanese learned of the USS Indianapolis within reach, they attacked and sank the heavy cruiser. The USS Indianapolis’ mission was so classified it was not reported missing, and no one knew the ship had been attacked until four days later.

Stranded in the shark-infested waters of the Philippine Sea, the remaining survivors of the USS Indianapolis endured hunger, thirst, heat, delirium, relentless shark attacks and the death of many shipmates.

Of the 1,197 crewmembers, nearly 300 went down with the ship. Five days later, only 317 men survived and were eventually rescued.

Richard Rionda Del Castro and Cam Cannon of Hannibal Classics wanted to tell the real story of what happened to the ship’s crew members just after midnight on that fateful day of July 30, 1945.

They did exhaustive research, with survivors, the US Navy, court documents and historical papers. In their research, they discovered the Second Watch organization formed by the family members, friends and supporters of the men of the USS Indianapolis. Their mission statement reads: “Although the USS Indianapolis (CA35) died at sea, the memory of her crew lives. Through the efforts of the USS Indianapolis (CA35) Second Watch, the memory of the Indianapolis will be preserved; her history, story, feeling and experiences shared.”

The Second Watch became an instrumental part of the project, providing historical facts, records and photos from survivors and their families. Most importantly, they provided a connection to survivors still living.

Five years and 200 drafts later, Hannibal’s script was ready. Director Mario Van Peebles, who had worked with Hannibal previously, expressed tremendous interest in the film.

For the part of Captain Charles Butler McVay, both Hannibal and Van Peebles agreed Nicholas Cage would be perfect. According to Van Peebles, “Cage has a sense of command, a wicked sense of humor, is super professional, and is on the ball.”

“One of my dreams, my first love, has always been the ocean,” says Cage. “I have always dreamed of doing a film on the ocean.  I had to get on the water, and Richard said ‘It just so happens I have a script.”

As the USS Indianapolis races across the Pacific at 29 knots, it reached Pearl Harbor in record time on July 19, unaccompanied, as ordered for her clandestine mission. She arrived at Tinian on July 26, and delivered her secret cargo, the enriched uranium for the atomic bomb intended for Hiroshima.

At 14 minutes past midnight on July 30, she was struck on her starboard bow by two Type 95 torpedoes from the Japanese submarine. The explosions caused massive damage. The Indianapolis took on a heavy list, and settled by the bow. Twelve minutes later, she rolled completely over, then her stern rose into the air, and she plunged down.

With few lifeboats and many without lifejackets, the remainder of the crew was set adrift in the Philippine Sea.

In the dead of night they were plunged into the open ocean battered, wounded, burned, covered in oil, having watched many of their shipmates die, barely surviving themselves, and scared beyond comprehension. They would be rescued once they did not arrive in the Philippines as scheduled that morning. However, the USS Indianapolis’ mission was still covert. The remaining crew of USS Indianapolis was left in the open ocean, alone.

The Philippine Sea is inhabited by mako sharks, blue sharks, oceanic whitetips and silky sharks. All are known to be opportunistic and aggressive feeders. The sharks began eating the dead on the first day. They seem to appear in greater numbers late in the afternoon. In the stillness of the night, survivor accounts recall hearing a scream off in the distance that meant someone was being attacked.

“USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage” is currently showing in Philippine cinemas.