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Wreckage of US war ship that sank in 1945 found off Philippines

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A team of researchers led by the co-founder of Microsoft has found the wreck of a World War II US cruiser lost off the Philippines on July 30, 1945.


“We’ve located the wreckage of the USS Indianapolis in Philippine Sea at 5500m below the sea,” said Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft will Bill Gates in 1975.


Allen, who is leading a 13-member team on his research ship, R/V Petrel, said in a statement it was “truly humbling” to be able to honour the crew of the ship and their families through the discovery.


The heavy cruiser was carrying 1,197 sailors and Marines when it was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine after delivering components for the one of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end World War II.


About 800 crewmen survived the sinking but only 316 were rescued when help arrived five days later, according to a statement issued by the Naval History and Heritage Command. Many died of exposure or thirst,drowned or were attacked by sharks, the statement said.


The Naval History and Heritage Command is responsible for the preservation, analysis and dissemination of US naval history. It said the crew of Allen’s ship is in the process of surveying the site and will tour the wreckage in the next few weeks.


The Indianapolis remains the property of the US Navy and its exact location will remain confidential and restricted, the command said.


Allen’s team plans to honour the 22 crew members still living and the families of all those who died. — dpa


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