A team of researchers led by the co-founder of Microsoft found the wreckage of a US warship lost during World War II off the Philippines on July 30, 1945.
Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1975, said in a statement Saturday (August 19th): "We have identified the site of the wreckage of the American ship Indianapolis in the Philippine Sea at a depth of 5,500 meters below sea level."
Allen, who leads a 13-member team aboard his research vessel R / Petrell, said he was "really humbled" that he would be able to honor the ship's crew and their families through the discovery.
The ship was carrying 1971 sailors and marines when it was bombed by a Japanese submarine after delivering components to one of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japan at the end of World War II.
About 800 crew members survived the drowning, while only 316 were rescued due to the arrival of aid after five days. Many died of thirst, drowning or shark attacks.
The crew of the Allen ship is currently studying the site and will tour the debris in the next few weeks.
The Alain team will honor 22 crew members, still alive and capturing all those who have died.