The wreckage of the USS Indianapolis was found at a depth of 5,500 meters (18,000 feet) at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, CNN reported. The ship was used to deliver the components of the atomic bomb to Hiroshima during World War Ii. The disaster of the cruiser became the most massive loss of the personnel of the US Navy.

Microsoft co-founder discovered the USS Indianapolis with his team

CNN reported that the wreckage of the cruiser was found on Friday by a group of 13 civilian researchers led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen with the help of Research Vessel Petrel.

"As Americans, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the crew for their courage, persistence, and sacrifice in the face of horrendous circumstances," Allen said. He also paid tribute to all the brave men and their families who had played the important role in end of World War II.

According to the ABC News, the ship's team, together with the US Navy, will continue to explore the seabed in the wreck area, and will also study the wreckage of the ship. The exact location of the cruiser will not be divulged. The discovery of the ship added a new information in the history of the US naval. The American heavy cruiser Indianapolis sunk on July 30, 1945, after being hit by a Japenese torpedo.

What happened there?

According to CNN, before the tragedy the ship was returning from its last secret military mission - the delivery of components of the atomic bomb dropped later on Hiroshima. The cruiser sank in 12 minutes, which prevented the crew from sending a distress signal or using rescue equipment. Among the 1,196 sailors, only 316 survived, and 22 are alive today.

The search for the ship had been continuing for 72 years. It was determined by the rescuers that only one-fourth part of the ship was safe, and the rest had been destroyed by dehydration, a combination of exposure and attacks by the sharks.

Some survivors blamed the commanding officer of Indianapolis Charles B. McVay III for the disaster.

He killed himself in 1968 after suffering from mental health problems, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Michael William Emery who survived the disaster said that he was surprised that the researchers found the debris of the cruise ship. He also said that the memories connected with the Indianapolis were nightmares. He added that he is still lost in a "sea of fears," according to CNN.

Earl O'Dell Henry Jr., the son of the Indianapolis' dentist said, "my reaction was just an overwhelming numbness, followed by deep sobbing and crying."
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