On this day in history...

Notice on the very very bottom, near the center column...

"Cruiser Sunk, 1,196 Casualties, Took Atom Bomb Cargo to Guam"

That was the ill-fated Indianapolis...


http://graphics7.nytimes.com/images/section/learning/general/onthisday/big/0814_big.gif

The greater tragedy is that nobody noticed she didn't return to port for three days. Hundreds died of exposure. Sad end for a good ship and a fine crew. :(

IIRC, it was because during the war accurate records of departure dates, estimated position hourly/daily, and arrival dates were verboten as decreed by the War Department. They were afraid that enemy spys might get this info and attack our ships. This sort of activity ceased after the Indianapolis event.