The Devil's Voyage
Encyclopedia
The Devil's Voyage is a historical novel by science fiction writer Jack Chalker. It describes the final voyage of the heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis
, which was famously sunk during World War II in the Pacific by Japanese submarine action, with the loss of many of the initial survivors to sharks.
The novel postulates that the War Department's interest in Astounding Science Fiction Magazine, because of the publication of fictional stories postulating nuclear research programs similar to the historical Manhattan Project
, prompted Russian spies to early knowledge of the US nuclear weapons program, eventually leading to the sinking of the Indianapolis because of the possibility it was carrying one of the early atomic bombs to use against Japan.
USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
USS Indianapolis was a of the United States Navy. She holds a place in history due to the circumstances of her sinking, which led to the greatest single loss of life at sea in the history of the U.S. Navy...
, which was famously sunk during World War II in the Pacific by Japanese submarine action, with the loss of many of the initial survivors to sharks.
The novel postulates that the War Department's interest in Astounding Science Fiction Magazine, because of the publication of fictional stories postulating nuclear research programs similar to the historical Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
, prompted Russian spies to early knowledge of the US nuclear weapons program, eventually leading to the sinking of the Indianapolis because of the possibility it was carrying one of the early atomic bombs to use against Japan.