Naval History and Heritage Command

1. Original Document from Court of Inquiry

DECLASSIFIED
Authority NND 917001

SECRET

PDG 1849

OFFICE OF THE PORT DIRECTOR

28 JULY 1945

/s/ J.H. Jamey   

From: Port Director, Guam.
To: Commanding Officer, USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35).

Subj: Routing Instructions.

Encl: (A) Intelligence Report, (B) Approach Instructions, (C) Flight Brief Bulletin.

1. When in all respects ready for sea on or about 0900 King, 28 July, depart Apra Harbor, proceed Leyte via the following route positions:

Thence Leyte as directed by branch Port Director’s Office on Homonhon Island.

1. Speed of advance shall be at 15.7 knots.  Distance to position PG 1123 miles.  ETA 0800 I, 31 July.  Distance Guam to ETA point (10-54 N. 125-20 E.) is 1171 miles.  ETA 1100 I, 31 July.

2. Friendly submarines may be observed west and south of Guam in established haven and training areas; they will be escorted by surface vessels.  Your route takes you clear of these areas.

3. See Intelligence Reports (Enclosures A and C) for information of our own and enemy forces.

4. Crossing and joining traffic may be encountered in the following areas:

   1. Apra to 142-30 E.

   2. 138-30 E.

   3. 134-30 E. to 131-00 E.

   4. 127-00 to destination

5. Commanding Officers are at all times responsible for the safe navigation of their ships.  They may depart from prescribed routing when in their judgment, weather, currents, or other navigations hazards jeopardize the safety of the ship.  They shall return to the prescribed route as soon as safety permits.  Zigzag at discretion of the Commanding Officer.

6. A Fleet Unit Commander, while carrying out a movement, is authorized to originate supplementary messages when the military situation permits.  These messages shall contain information of:

   1. Breakdown.

   2. Changes in orders or corrections of erroneous information.

   3. Weather conditions or any circumstances which cause a deviation from schedule of more than 40 miles in controlled waters or delay in ETA of over (3) hours.

These messages shall be addressed (if approaching Philippine Islands) to Commander Philippine Sea Frontier.

1. Communications shall be conducted in accordance PAC 70 (B).

2. Port Director, Guam will make your departure report including “Queen messages: QP 32, QPF 31, QPH 119, QN 5, QNA 37, QNH 35 held by you.

3. On arrival destroy this instruction; carry out basic orders incorporated in CinCPacAdvon 260152.

Certified to be a True Copy:

Signed by J.J. Waldron for W.P. Brocks

[END PAGE 1]

OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SECTION
NOB, GUAM, M.I.

Eix

Intelligence Brief for GUAM to PHILIPPINES (This brief is a part of your secret routing instructions and merchant ships must turn in with same at next port of call.)

FOR: ____

Date: 27 July 1945

The enemy held bases within approximately 300 miles of your route are as listed below.  No enemy offensive activity from any of these bases has been reported in recent months unless specifically mentioned under this heading:

ENEMY SUBMARINE CONTACTS:
22 July – Sub sighted surfaced at 10:34N-132:47E at 0015K.  Hunter-Killer ordered.
25 July – Unknown ship reports sighting as possible periscope at 13:56N-136:56E at 250800 K.
25 July – Sound contact reported at 10:30N-136:25E.  Indications at that time pointed to doubtful submarine.

ENEMY SURFACE CONTACTS:
None

FRIENDLY SHIP MOVEMENTS
It is impracticable to attempt to enumerate all the ship movements which might pass within visual range of your route, however, the positions at which your route crosses or approaches regular shipping lanes is indicated in your routing instructions.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

1. Friendly submarines are operating south and west of Guam and possibly in the vicinity of Ulithi.  They should be escorted at all times when in the vicinity of these islands.

2. Several instances of floating mines have been reported in the Forward Area recently.  A sharp lookout should be kept and a report made if any sighted.

3. Firing Notice – Guam:

   1. There will be sleeve and drone AA firing practice from Agat between 1000-1500, danger area 12,000 yards to seaward, 235-305 degrees from Agat.

   2. Until further notice, the area in the vicinity of Santa Rosa Reef, SW of Guam, as well as balance of area A-8, will be used as AA ships gunnery area.

4. Menace to Navigation:
   PCE-898 sighted large floating palm stump with three feet above water at 260945Z in position 14:53N-132:48E.

CERTIFIED TO BE A TRUE COPY OF INTELLIGENCE BRIEF INCORPORATED IN SAILING ORDERS OF THE USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA-35) ON 27 JULY 1945.

signed by: R. E. ORR
Intelligence officer

[END PAGE 2]