From June 2000 to September 2000, deep-sea explorer Curt Newport lead a team of marine experts through the Philippine Sea, hoping to find the USS Indianapolis, which could be three miles below the surface on the ocean floor. On September 1, after weeks of crisscrossing the Philippine Sea, the search was abandoned.

Woody James (left) and Mike Kuryla (right) check out a model of the Heavy Cruiser USS Indianapolis during the second expedition to the Philippine Sea in July of 2000 (C. Newport photo)

Survivors of the USS Indianapolis examine a "study" model of the famous ship while on board the MV Sea Eagle in the Philippine Sea.  From left to right, they are Woody James, Mike Kuryla, Paul Murphy, and L.D. Cox.  The Indy survivors were able to use the model to trace their escape route from the ship as it sank on July 30, 1945 (C. Newport photo)

The Motor Vessel "June T," was used as a platform during USS Indianapolis search operations.  The expedition departed Guam on June 1st and after stops in Palau to pick up parts and technical personnel, returned August 3rd, 2000 (C. Newport photo).

The Remora 6000 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) was used to inspect several sonar targets discovered by Williamson and Associates S/M 30 side scan sonar (C. Newport photo) 

The Remora 6000 Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) was used to inspect several sonar targets discovered by Williamson and Associates S/M 30 side scan sonar (C. Newport photo) 

Williamson and Associates personnel recover the S/M 30 side scan sonar following the first ever search for the Heavy Cruiser USS Indianapolis.  The search vehicle, normally towed at speeds of less than 2 knots,  can image a swath of the ocean floor as much as 5 km wide (C. Newport)

USS Indianapolis survivors join expedition leader Curt Newport on the deck of the MV Sea Eagle in August of 2000. They are (left to right) L.D. Cox, Curt Newport, Woody James, Mike Kuryla, and Paul Murphy (C. Newport photo).

Continuing mechanical problems with the S/M 30 cable reel cut short USS Indianapolis search operations, making it impossible to investigate the entire search area; several hundred square miles of ocean bottom. Consequently, the Indy remains undiscovered until a new effort can be mounted (C. Newport photo).

For more information on the search of the USS Indianapolis check out www.discovery.com/exp/indianapolis/voyage.html