Neptune's Inferno_ The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal Part 14

Admiral Halsey would take a very different approach. Knowing from dispatches that another major naval attack was gathering, the SOPAC commander decided he could no longer play it safe with his sole remaining carrier, the Enterprise, Enterprise, and her powerful accompaniment of battles.h.i.+ps. The men on Guadalca.n.a.l needed the fleet now more than ever before. and her powerful accompaniment of battles.h.i.+ps. The men on Guadalca.n.a.l needed the fleet now more than ever before.

After the beating Callaghan had taken, Halsey knew that his cruiser striking force didn't have much left to offer. His sole remaining carrier, the Enterprise, Enterprise, didn't, either. When she was ordered north from Noumea toward Guadalca.n.a.l, the carrier still had a crew of eighty-five repair technicians aboard, working to fix the disabled forward elevator. She trailed an oil slick. "This was the tightest spot that I was ever in during the entire war," Halsey would write. didn't, either. When she was ordered north from Noumea toward Guadalca.n.a.l, the carrier still had a crew of eighty-five repair technicians aboard, working to fix the disabled forward elevator. She trailed an oil slick. "This was the tightest spot that I was ever in during the entire war," Halsey would write.

"If any principle of naval warfare is burned into my brain, it is that the best defense is a strong offense-that, as Lord Nelson wrote in a memorandum to his officers before the Battle of Trafalgar, 'No Captain can do very wrong if he places his s.h.i.+p alongside that of an Enemy.'" Now there were few other options. Willis Lee's battles.h.i.+ps were his "only recourse." Their long days of steaming as sentinels, protecting other s.h.i.+ps instead of attacking the enemy, were over. Shortly before 5 p.m. on November 13, Halsey broke every lesson he'd learned at the Naval War College. He decided to send in his battles.h.i.+ps. He directed Admiral Kinkaid, commanding the Enterprise Enterprise task force, to turn loose his big boys to enter the fight. task force, to turn loose his big boys to enter the fight.

When Willis Lee received the signal via blinker light from the Enterprise Enterprise to detach his heavy combatants from Task Force 16 and run north, and further learned that Halsey expected him to arrive off Guadalca.n.a.l by early morning on the fourteenth, Lee broke radio silence to inquire, to detach his heavy combatants from Task Force 16 and run north, and further learned that Halsey expected him to arrive off Guadalca.n.a.l by early morning on the fourteenth, Lee broke radio silence to inquire, "What do you think we have-wings?" "What do you think we have-wings?" Lee was in no position to get there so soon. When the Lee was in no position to get there so soon. When the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton and and South Dakota, South Dakota, joined by the four destroyers that happened to have the most fuel-the joined by the four destroyers that happened to have the most fuel-the Preston, Gwin, Walke, Preston, Gwin, Walke, and and Benham Benham-left the Enterprise Enterprise task force at sunset and set a northward course, they were about 150 miles farther south than Halsey thought they should be. task force at sunset and set a northward course, they were about 150 miles farther south than Halsey thought they should be.

This was the consequence of Kinkaid misunderstanding the orders from Halsey that directed him where to operate. When he was instructed to keep his task force near a particular line of lat.i.tude, Kinkaid understood the line as a limit on his northern movement and stayed well south of it. Having paid a high cost for Halsey's bold, some would say reckless, employment of the precious carriers at Santa Cruz-a cost that included not only the Hornet, Hornet, but also his own reputation among aviation admirals, who felt he needlessly delayed launching a strike after the enemy was spotted-Kinkaid was probably in a mood for caution now. but also his own reputation among aviation admirals, who felt he needlessly delayed launching a strike after the enemy was spotted-Kinkaid was probably in a mood for caution now.

The direction of the wind was another problem. With a southerly prevailing wind, Kinakid had to reverse course 180 degrees and head south, into the wind, in order to generate a headwind strong enough to launch or recover aircraft. This was one of the reasons Task Force 16 was farther south than many thought it should have been.

When a SOPAC staff officer, Charles Weaver, informed Halsey and Miles Browning that Lee could not reach the battle area on the night of November 1314, he was met with a furious response. "You can well imagine the blast I got from my seniors who were sure that Lee was in a good position to intercept." Having pledged to Vandegrift that he would support the marines and soldiers on Guadalca.n.a.l with everything he had at his disposal, Halsey was chagrined to be forced to notify the general that neither his battles.h.i.+ps nor any American naval units would be on hand that night to defend Guadalca.n.a.l from naval attack.

At the survivor camp on Guadalca.n.a.l that night, Bill McKinney, the Atlanta Atlanta electrician, was resting underneath a tent he had been given by the marines. He was too exhausted to celebrate with the victorious pilots, too exhausted even to set up his tent. So he used it as a blanket. He was awakened once when the heavy rains leaked underneath the canvas, turning the ground to mud. Around 2 a.m. he was awakened again, this time by a rain of fire. Two heavy cruisers, the electrician, was resting underneath a tent he had been given by the marines. He was too exhausted to celebrate with the victorious pilots, too exhausted even to set up his tent. So he used it as a blanket. He was awakened once when the heavy rains leaked underneath the canvas, turning the ground to mud. Around 2 a.m. he was awakened again, this time by a rain of fire. Two heavy cruisers, the Suzuya Suzuya and and Maya, Maya, arrived offsh.o.r.e that night to shoot up the airfield. arrived offsh.o.r.e that night to shoot up the airfield.

Men were shouting, running everywhere, as heavy explosions rolled in from the sound. Those who had endured the sh.e.l.ling by battles.h.i.+ps a month earlier would say this one paled in comparison, but a bombardment from the sea was always terrifying. A sailor who had survived the sinkings of the Wasp Wasp and the and the Barton Barton came sprinting into a bunker during the bombardment, mute with terror. McKinney took the a.s.sault by the two j.a.panese cruisers personally. "I had the feeling that they knew where we were and planned to finish us off," he said. He could see the "little winking pinpoints of blue light as their salvos thundered toward us. It was a fearful experience." came sprinting into a bunker during the bombardment, mute with terror. McKinney took the a.s.sault by the two j.a.panese cruisers personally. "I had the feeling that they knew where we were and planned to finish us off," he said. He could see the "little winking pinpoints of blue light as their salvos thundered toward us. It was a fearful experience."

The closest large U.S. wars.h.i.+p at hand in Savo Sound that night was Captain DuBose's Portland, Portland, tied up and concealed near Tulagi's sh.o.r.e across the sound as her crew worked on repairs. DuBose spotted the two enemy s.h.i.+ps as their searchlights explored the anchorage off Lunga. Every faithful hand in the tied up and concealed near Tulagi's sh.o.r.e across the sound as her crew worked on repairs. DuBose spotted the two enemy s.h.i.+ps as their searchlights explored the anchorage off Lunga. Every faithful hand in the Portland Portland prayed the lights would not find them. DuBose knew there was no way he could tackle two fully primed opponents with his s.h.i.+p barely navigable. So he watched the searchlights and instructed Commander Shanklin to fire only if they fixed in his direction. In due course Calvert's PT boats threw their weight at the j.a.panese cruisers, making several torpedo runs to no effect. prayed the lights would not find them. DuBose knew there was no way he could tackle two fully primed opponents with his s.h.i.+p barely navigable. So he watched the searchlights and instructed Commander Shanklin to fire only if they fixed in his direction. In due course Calvert's PT boats threw their weight at the j.a.panese cruisers, making several torpedo runs to no effect.

Firing five hundred sh.e.l.ls apiece in an unmolested half hour, the Maya Maya and and Suzuya Suzuya destroyed eighteen planes and damaged thirty-two more on Henderson Field. Frightful though it was, this bombardment paled with what the destroyed eighteen planes and damaged thirty-two more on Henderson Field. Frightful though it was, this bombardment paled with what the Hiei Hiei and and Kiris.h.i.+ma Kiris.h.i.+ma might have wreaked, and underscored the significance of Callaghan's sacrifice. might have wreaked, and underscored the significance of Callaghan's sacrifice.

WHEN THE MORNING ROSE on Savo Sound on November 14, it was still Friday the thirteenth in Was.h.i.+ngton. The first dispatches of the events off Guadalca.n.a.l the previous night traveled quickly by radio from Noumea to Pearl Harbor to the Navy Department and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The tension I felt at that time was matched only by the tension that pervaded Was.h.i.+ngton the night before the landing in Normandy," James Forrestal would write. Later, when a j.a.panese invasion force was reported in the Slot, President Roosevelt began to think the island was lost. But from Was.h.i.+ngton the president did not have contemporaneous knowledge of what the Cactus Air Force was doing. j.a.pan's most important effort to send troops to the island was under way and now, thanks to the success of Callaghan and the failure of Abe, was exposed to daylight air attack. The most important day in the ill.u.s.trious history of the Cactus Air Force was at hand. on Savo Sound on November 14, it was still Friday the thirteenth in Was.h.i.+ngton. The first dispatches of the events off Guadalca.n.a.l the previous night traveled quickly by radio from Noumea to Pearl Harbor to the Navy Department and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The tension I felt at that time was matched only by the tension that pervaded Was.h.i.+ngton the night before the landing in Normandy," James Forrestal would write. Later, when a j.a.panese invasion force was reported in the Slot, President Roosevelt began to think the island was lost. But from Was.h.i.+ngton the president did not have contemporaneous knowledge of what the Cactus Air Force was doing. j.a.pan's most important effort to send troops to the island was under way and now, thanks to the success of Callaghan and the failure of Abe, was exposed to daylight air attack. The most important day in the ill.u.s.trious history of the Cactus Air Force was at hand.

At first light on Henderson Field, the ground crews of the 1st Marine Air Wing began a long day of work fueling and arming planes to strike at enemy targets in the Slot. The pace was so desperate that all hands from the mess tents were pressed into service. There would be time aplenty to eat after more pressing appet.i.tes had been sated. Soon the pilots were scouring the waters within two hundred miles of the island. The Enterprise, Enterprise, steaming two hundred miles south-southwest of Guadalca.n.a.l, was delayed in launching her dawn search, thanks to squalls. But most of the steaming two hundred miles south-southwest of Guadalca.n.a.l, was delayed in launching her dawn search, thanks to squalls. But most of the Enterprise Enterprise's sixty-two planes, including twenty-three Dauntlesses and nine Avengers, got in on the attack.

Winging north and west with varied responsibilities for search and strike, they found the s.h.i.+ps that had hit them the previous night southwest of Rendova Island, New Georgia. The Suzuya Suzuya and and Maya, Maya, which had rendezvoused with the heavy cruisers which had rendezvoused with the heavy cruisers Chokai Chokai and and Kinugasa, Kinugasa, were set upon violently. A flight of Dauntlesses led by Marine major Joseph Sailer fell on the were set upon violently. A flight of Dauntlesses led by Marine major Joseph Sailer fell on the Kinugasa, Kinugasa, which was trailing oil from torpedoes. .h.i.ts landed by Marine Avenger pilots shortly after first light. The which was trailing oil from torpedoes. .h.i.ts landed by Marine Avenger pilots shortly after first light. The Enterprise Enterprise Dauntlesses. .h.i.t her hard, damaging her grievously with a heavy bomb. Two Dauntlesses. .h.i.t her hard, damaging her grievously with a heavy bomb. Two Enterprise Enterprise pilots, Ensign Richard M. Buchanan and Lieutenant (j.g.) Robert D. Gibson, delivered the coup de grace, leaving the pilots, Ensign Richard M. Buchanan and Lieutenant (j.g.) Robert D. Gibson, delivered the coup de grace, leaving the Kinugasa Kinugasa to capsize and sink later that morning, taking down fifty-one men. Ensign Paul M. Halloran of the to capsize and sink later that morning, taking down fifty-one men. Ensign Paul M. Halloran of the Enterprise Enterprise's Bombing Squadron 10 dove on the Maya Maya but missed with his bomb. As he pulled out, the wing of his Dauntless struck the cruiser's mainmast, spilling gasoline into the superstructure. The resulting fires killed thirty-seven sailors. Halloran was never seen again. but missed with his bomb. As he pulled out, the wing of his Dauntless struck the cruiser's mainmast, spilling gasoline into the superstructure. The resulting fires killed thirty-seven sailors. Halloran was never seen again.

But the pilots' princ.i.p.al objective was Tanaka's lightly defended transport force. Slugging south on Sat.u.r.day morning, pa.s.sing between New Georgia and Santa Isabel, the troop carriers were set upon by Cactus Air Force and Enterprise Enterprise planes around the same time the j.a.panese cruisers were coming under attack. Tanaka's transports scattered, turning in slow circles to avoid the fall of bombs and torpedoes. By midafternoon, seven of the eleven transports had been sunk, along with all of their cargoes and a great many of their men. planes around the same time the j.a.panese cruisers were coming under attack. Tanaka's transports scattered, turning in slow circles to avoid the fall of bombs and torpedoes. By midafternoon, seven of the eleven transports had been sunk, along with all of their cargoes and a great many of their men.

Amid the catastrophe of these terrible losses to their amphibious capability, Admiral Tanaka salvaged what he could. In a remarkable feat of improvisational seamans.h.i.+p, he brought his destroyers alongside the foundering transports and transferred thousands of soldiers on the fly.

As they did so, Rear Admiral Kondo, riding in the light cruiser Nagara, Nagara, took command of a makes.h.i.+ft but powerful bombardment force-the took command of a makes.h.i.+ft but powerful bombardment force-the Kiris.h.i.+ma, Kiris.h.i.+ma, joined by the heavy cruisers joined by the heavy cruisers Atago Atago and and Takeo, Takeo, the light cruisers the light cruisers Nagara Nagara and and Sendai, Sendai, and nine destroyers. They moved south again to lay their guns on Henderson Field, quickly overtaking Tanaka's four surviving transports and taking station ahead of them. Owing to the intensity of the air attacks directed at the j.a.panese cruisers and transports that day, the and nine destroyers. They moved south again to lay their guns on Henderson Field, quickly overtaking Tanaka's four surviving transports and taking station ahead of them. Owing to the intensity of the air attacks directed at the j.a.panese cruisers and transports that day, the Kiris.h.i.+ma Kiris.h.i.+ma and her consorts avoided detection from the air. and her consorts avoided detection from the air.

THE SURVIVING s.h.i.+PS OF Task Force 67 arrived at Espiritu Santo on the afternoon of November 14. Entering the channel, the Task Force 67 arrived at Espiritu Santo on the afternoon of November 14. Entering the channel, the San Francisco San Francisco followed the followed the Helena Helena closely. A monument to the danger of haphazard navigation stood for all to see: the wreck of the luxury-liner-turned-troop-transport closely. A monument to the danger of haphazard navigation stood for all to see: the wreck of the luxury-liner-turned-troop-transport President Coolidge, President Coolidge, which several weeks earlier had blundered out of the safety of the channel into the harbor's defensive minefield. which several weeks earlier had blundered out of the safety of the channel into the harbor's defensive minefield.

As the San Francisco San Francisco came into the harbor, she pa.s.sed, port-side-to-port-side, four other cruisers anch.o.r.ed in a line, the came into the harbor, she pa.s.sed, port-side-to-port-side, four other cruisers anch.o.r.ed in a line, the Minneapolis, New Orleans, Pensacola, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Pensacola, and and Northampton. Northampton. "It was pretty awe-inspiring," Jack Bennett said. The crews of the anch.o.r.ed s.h.i.+ps manned the rail and offered three rousing cheers to the battle-scarred counterpart. "Hip, hip hooray-three times, that was something emotional," Bennett said. "The greatest accolade you can get is from your comrades in arms." "It was pretty awe-inspiring," Jack Bennett said. The crews of the anch.o.r.ed s.h.i.+ps manned the rail and offered three rousing cheers to the battle-scarred counterpart. "Hip, hip hooray-three times, that was something emotional," Bennett said. "The greatest accolade you can get is from your comrades in arms."

In the harbor, the Helena Helena went alongside a tanker to refuel. A sailor on the oiler surveyed the shrapnel-pocked light cruiser and hollered over the rail, "What happened?" A wag on the went alongside a tanker to refuel. A sailor on the oiler surveyed the shrapnel-pocked light cruiser and hollered over the rail, "What happened?" A wag on the Helena Helena replied, "Termites." Schonland refused an instruction to go alongside a tanker to refuel and requested an anchorage instead. With the flag lowered to half-mast, the replied, "Termites." Schonland refused an instruction to go alongside a tanker to refuel and requested an anchorage instead. With the flag lowered to half-mast, the San Francisco San Francisco was a.s.signed a berth, and as she eased in, the s.h.i.+ps nearby gave her a hero's welcome. s.h.i.+p whistles blew loud and long. Schonland arranged with Hoover for the was a.s.signed a berth, and as she eased in, the s.h.i.+ps nearby gave her a hero's welcome. s.h.i.+p whistles blew loud and long. Schonland arranged with Hoover for the Helena Helena's band to come aboard, and for her chaplain to conduct a funeral service on the San Francisco. San Francisco.

The mobile base hospital at Espiritu Santo was crowded. s.h.i.+p's doctors, seeing the facilities available ash.o.r.e, lamented the butchery they had been forced to perpetrate in the battle area: amputations, crus.h.i.+ng tourniquets, dressings soaked through and dried into open wounds. In combat, you did your best with what you had. With his legs shot through with more than 130 shrapnel wounds, the San Francisco San Francisco's Cliff Spencer was taken to a wardroom full of wounded sailors and marines. "I wasn't near anyone I knew and at that moment I had never felt so sad and alone," he wrote. "Next to me on the opposite tier bunk lay a muscular young sailor. He was crying. I tried to strike up a conversation with him and asked, 'What s.h.i.+p are you off of?' He said the Atlanta Atlanta.... As we talked the corpsman came to dress his wounds. He threw back the blankets and lifted about an eight-inch stub of his right leg. It had been amputated above the knee and had not been surgically closed, just a raw cut covered with a large bandage. He shocked me by almost screaming, 'The sons of b.i.t.c.hes on the San Francisco San Francisco did this! How can I ever work the farm with this b.l.o.o.d.y stump?' did this! How can I ever work the farm with this b.l.o.o.d.y stump?'

"Needless to say I didn't volunteer the name of my s.h.i.+p."

The tribalisms of a naval force were still producing raw feelings. "There were some real hard feelings between the Helena Helena and and San Francisco San Francisco when they got into port," a sailor recalled. It seems there were when they got into port," a sailor recalled. It seems there were Helena Helena sailors who thought the flags.h.i.+p had turned and run at the height of the engagement, and that "the sailors who thought the flags.h.i.+p had turned and run at the height of the engagement, and that "the Helena Helena had to stay there and do the job-or whatever." had to stay there and do the job-or whatever."

As the San Francisco San Francisco underwent temporary repairs, Schonland was relieved as acting commander by Captain Albert F. France, from Halsey's staff. The personal effects taken from the dead were turned over with an inventory to the supply officer for s.h.i.+pment home to the relatives whose photos had adorned stateroom bulkheads, sat framed on small metal desks, and become shattered and scattered by the many impacts of the fight. The good order of the flags.h.i.+p was returning. underwent temporary repairs, Schonland was relieved as acting commander by Captain Albert F. France, from Halsey's staff. The personal effects taken from the dead were turned over with an inventory to the supply officer for s.h.i.+pment home to the relatives whose photos had adorned stateroom bulkheads, sat framed on small metal desks, and become shattered and scattered by the many impacts of the fight. The good order of the flags.h.i.+p was returning.

Turner sent a message to the s.h.i.+ps of Task Force 67 that amply reflected his feelings toward the battered s.h.i.+ps of his command.

Task Force 67 is hereby dissolved. In dissolving this temporary force I express the will that the number 67 be in the future reserved for groups of s.h.i.+ps as ready for high patriotic endeavor as you have been. I thank you for your magnificent support of the project of reinforcing our brave troops in Guadalca.n.a.l and for your eagerness to be the keen edge of the sword that is cutting the throat of the enemy.I was well aware of the odds which might be against you in your night attack on November 12 but felt that this was the time when fine s.h.i.+ps and brave men should be called upon for their utmost. You have more than justified my expectations in taking from the enemy a toll of strength far greater than the strength you have expended.With you I grieve for long cherished comrades who will be with us no more, and for our lost s.h.i.+ps whose names will be enshrined in history. No medals however high can possibly give you the reward you deserve. With all my heart I say G.o.d bless the courageous men, dead and alive, of Task Force 67.

The Cactus Air Force's devastating attacks against the transports on the morning of the fourteenth would never have happened without their sacrifice. The deaths of Callaghan and his staff were the final blow to Ghormley's original SOPAC command. With their pa.s.sing, and that of Norman Scott, the Navy simultaneously cas.h.i.+ered the folly of the old and some of the promise of the new. The winding course between victory and defeat off Guadalca.n.a.l offered a series of object lessons that future leaders would study and profit by. The tuition in that brutal school was steep.

But one more collision of giants remained to decide who would control Savo Sound. The next costly lesson would follow the very next night with another collision of the exhausted fleets.

At Pearl Harbor, monitoring the reports of more major j.a.panese naval units approaching Guadalca.n.a.l, Admiral Nimitz sent a broadcast to all task force commanders, bracingly stating the obvious: "LOOKS LIKE ALL OUT ATTEMPT NOW UNDERWAY TO RECAPTURE GUADALCa.n.a.l REGARDLESS LOSSES GUADALCa.n.a.l REGARDLESS LOSSES."

[image](Photo Credit: P.4)"The turret whips around but it is the guns themselves that seem to live. They balance and quiver almost as though they were sniffing the air.... Suddenly they set and instantly there is a belch of sound and the sh.e.l.ls float away. The tracers seem to float interminably before they hit. And before the sh.e.l.ls have struck the guns are trembling and reaching again. They are like rattlesnakes poising to strike, and they really do seem to be alive. It is a frightening thing to see."-John Steinbeck, "A Destroyer," November 24, 1943

36.

The Giants Ride THE BATTLEs.h.i.+PS WAs.h.i.+NGTON WAs.h.i.+NGTON AND AND SOUTH DAKOTA SOUTH DAKOTA PUSHED THROUGH PUSHED THROUGH the sea with an implacable ease. Halsey well understood the risks of sending Willis Lee's two big s.h.i.+ps to set an ambush in Savo Sound. "The plan flouted one of the firmest doctrines of the Naval War College," Halsey would write. "The narrow treacherous waters north of Guadalca.n.a.l are utterly unsuited to the maneuvering of capital s.h.i.+ps, especially in darkness." But the big s.h.i.+ps were all he had left. the sea with an implacable ease. Halsey well understood the risks of sending Willis Lee's two big s.h.i.+ps to set an ambush in Savo Sound. "The plan flouted one of the firmest doctrines of the Naval War College," Halsey would write. "The narrow treacherous waters north of Guadalca.n.a.l are utterly unsuited to the maneuvering of capital s.h.i.+ps, especially in darkness." But the big s.h.i.+ps were all he had left.

The Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton (the second and last s.h.i.+p of the (the second and last s.h.i.+p of the North Carolina North Carolina cla.s.s), and the cla.s.s), and the South Dakota South Dakota (the first of a newer breed) were not sisters but close cousins, part of the surge in new major s.h.i.+p construction that followed the expiration of the 1930 London Naval Treaty's five-year-long "building holiday." The construction of the big new s.h.i.+ps was politically risky for President Roosevelt during the pinchpenny, isolationist-minded years after the Great Depression. He waited until after the 1936 elections to authorize the (the first of a newer breed) were not sisters but close cousins, part of the surge in new major s.h.i.+p construction that followed the expiration of the 1930 London Naval Treaty's five-year-long "building holiday." The construction of the big new s.h.i.+ps was politically risky for President Roosevelt during the pinchpenny, isolationist-minded years after the Great Depression. He waited until after the 1936 elections to authorize the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's construction.

The Navy's General Board never seemed sure what it was willing to sacrifice in order to meet the limits imposed by treaty limitations on battles.h.i.+p displacement. Its preferred designs changed as frequently as its members.h.i.+p did. In the end, Lee's two battles.h.i.+ps were the product of a decision to emphasize superior firepower. The two s.h.i.+ps each carried a sixteen-inch main battery that fired a twenty-seven-hundred-pound projectile. More than ten times the weight of the eight-inch round fired by a heavy cruiser, these heavier weapons changed the calculus of wars.h.i.+p architecture and, in turn, tactical doctrine as well. Though it was customary to design battles.h.i.+ps to withstand hits from their own projectiles, the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton did not have armor stout enough to defeat the heavy new sixteen-inch ordnance. The did not have armor stout enough to defeat the heavy new sixteen-inch ordnance. The South Dakota South Dakota's side armor could take such a hit from beyond twenty thousand yards (or 11.4 miles), but only because her designers had compromised her ability to survive torpedoes. Rushed to the South Pacific soon after their commissionings, neither s.h.i.+p was put through the usual round of sea trials prior to deployment. But there was widespread confidence in them nonetheless, and the s.h.i.+ps were more than a match for j.a.panese battles.h.i.+p such as the Kiris.h.i.+ma, Kiris.h.i.+ma, with a fourteen-inch main battery. with a fourteen-inch main battery.

Aside from the short time they had operated together with the Enterprise Enterprise task force, the task force, the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton and the and the South Dakota South Dakota had never been in each other's company. While Admiral Lee repeatedly drilled his gunnery and director crews in aiming their guns and finding targets, neither s.h.i.+p had much experience actually firing her big weapons. The had never been in each other's company. While Admiral Lee repeatedly drilled his gunnery and director crews in aiming their guns and finding targets, neither s.h.i.+p had much experience actually firing her big weapons. The Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton had only fired her main battery twice at night, both times in January 1942. Nighttime gunnery experience was scanter still on the had only fired her main battery twice at night, both times in January 1942. Nighttime gunnery experience was scanter still on the South Dakota South Dakota. She had fired her main battery three times, but never at night. Though the s.h.i.+ps were state of the art, the state of their live-fire experience was far less than that of the old battles.h.i.+ps sidelined on the West Coast: The Colorado Colorado conducted ten main-battery live-fire exercises between July and November. Lee's four destroyers had never operated together either. conducted ten main-battery live-fire exercises between July and November. Lee's four destroyers had never operated together either.

The first time the South Dakota South Dakota's main battery was tested with a full nine-gun broadside, the wave of blast pressure pushed through the pa.s.sageway where Captain Thomas Gatch was standing, tearing his pants right off him. The vast power of the sixteen-inch guns required a perfect physical apparatus to ensure not only their working order but also the safety of the s.h.i.+p. The bomb that exploded atop turret one during the air attacks of October 25 had gouged two barrels of turret two, which jutted out over the bomb's impact point. A lieutenant junior grade who served in the turret, Paul H. Backus, said, "As you can imagine, we made all kinds of measurements and sent messages back to the Bureau of Ordnance in Was.h.i.+ngton, describing these gouges, their depth, their length, and asked the question, 'Can we shoot these barrels?' We never did get an answer that we could live with." Finally word came back that turret two's center and left guns were not to be fired.

This powerful but patchwork group, Task Force 64, was Lee's first seagoing flag command. What he may have lacked in combat experience, he had made up for through the rigorous study of the practical problems of combat in the radar age. Having served as director of fleet training just before the war, he was one of the first naval officers to build a career on the wonkery of modern wave physics. The lingo of transmitters, receivers, double-lobe systems, and ring oscillators was like speaking in tongues to most officers. Imperturbable and capable of solving multiple lines of variables as they s.h.i.+fted, Lee was reputed to know the intricacies of radar systems better than their own operators did.

According to Admiral Kinkaid, a close friend and cla.s.smate, "He was not what you would describe as a 'military figure.' He was without the straight, taut carriage that that description would imply. Lee walked pigeon-toed and was hard of sight. At Annapolis he fretted the physical examination, memorizing the first two lines of the eye chart."

A native of Owen County, Kentucky, he was known back home as "Mose" but would acquire a more worldly nickname, "Ching," for his fondness for the Asiatic theater. According to Ernest M. Eller, a subordinate of Lee's at the Fleet Training Division, "He looked like an Arkansas farmer, a little like Will Rogers. He had a wrinkled, freckled face. You wouldn't have known he was very astute until you talked to him a while and learned what he knew.... He had a very mathematical, ingenious mind, and at the same time he talked very simply and very easily."

Lee matched his fluency in the language of science with a generous dose of Appalachian common sense. Early in his career, a destroyer he commanded suffered from a rat infestation. Tired of seeing the rodents scurrying across the wardroom's overhead beams, Lee fas.h.i.+oned a trap consisting of a solenoid mechanism and an armature attached to a meat cleaver. Delighted with the contraption, his officers diverted themselves with this minor blood sport, competing to see whose reflexes were quick enough to pull the lever and chop the stowaway rodents in two.

Lee's understanding of gunnery was world-cla.s.s. In 1907, at age nineteen, he became the only American at the time to win both the U.S. National High Power Rifle and Pistol champions.h.i.+ps in the same year. In April 1914, during the U.S. intervention in Vera Cruz, Mexico, his landing force from the battles.h.i.+p New Hamps.h.i.+re New Hamps.h.i.+re came under fire. Wielding a borrowed rifle, Lee a.s.sumed a sitting position out in the open, drawing fire to locate enemy muzzle flashes, and killed three enemy snipers at long range. After such a performance in combat, the Olympics were hardly a test of nerves. At the age of thirty-two, he was a member of the U.S. rifle team that won seven medals, including five golds, at the 1920 Antwerp summer games. came under fire. Wielding a borrowed rifle, Lee a.s.sumed a sitting position out in the open, drawing fire to locate enemy muzzle flashes, and killed three enemy snipers at long range. After such a performance in combat, the Olympics were hardly a test of nerves. At the age of thirty-two, he was a member of the U.S. rifle team that won seven medals, including five golds, at the 1920 Antwerp summer games.

Lee understood the powerful weapons of a battles.h.i.+p not as specialized naval instruments, but as extensions of the universal laws of ballistics that he had wholly absorbed by the time he took command. Most surface officers were obsessive students of gunnery, but few adapted their expertise to an age of new technology. Lee did so by conducting fire-control drills under odd conditions, sometimes requiring turrets be manned by relief crews instead of the first team, and throwing unexpected twists at them, randomly cutting out electrical connections to the mounts and scrambling their links to the fire-control radars, forcing his men to rely on backup systems or local control. Afterward, he gathered with Captain Glenn B. Davis; his gunnery officer, Commander H. T. Walsh; and a coterie of young officers, where his princ.i.p.al theorist, Ed Hooper, would run through the mathematics late into the night. "His conversation was so loaded with calculi and abelian equations," a historian wrote, "that sometimes Commander Walsh and Captain Davis would begin to look slightly helpless." That said a lot, seeing as Davis had served as the "experimental officer" at the Dahlgren Naval Proving Grounds, testing guns, armor, powder, and projectiles, and later served as chief of the gun section at the Bureau of Ordnance.

Lee knew that the key to victory lay not only in terms of engineering or mathematics, but in a crew's ability to adjust psychologically to the unexpected. Said Lloyd Mustin, "It doesn't take long to learn these things, a few hours. Learn the basics in a few hours and then start thinking in those terms day in and day out. Not everyone seemed able or willing to take the time." Willis Lee, like Norman Scott, took the time. He worked endlessly, late into the night, before unwinding with a few pages from a detective novel and falling asleep in his clothes a few hours before breakfast.

News of an inbound battles.h.i.+p force commanded Lee's attention. Late in the afternoon on November 14, he received a report that the submarine Trout Trout had sighted large enemy units, southbound about 150 miles north of Guadalca.n.a.l. The Tokyo Express, though operating with changing rosters of s.h.i.+ps and commanders, was keeping to its well-established timetable of midnight arrivals. While the Cactus Air Force was preoccupied with hammering Tanaka's transports that afternoon, Kondo's heavy surface force-the had sighted large enemy units, southbound about 150 miles north of Guadalca.n.a.l. The Tokyo Express, though operating with changing rosters of s.h.i.+ps and commanders, was keeping to its well-established timetable of midnight arrivals. While the Cactus Air Force was preoccupied with hammering Tanaka's transports that afternoon, Kondo's heavy surface force-the Kiris.h.i.+ma Kiris.h.i.+ma joined by the heavy cruisers joined by the heavy cruisers Atago Atago and and Takao Takao-had avoided daylight air attack. It would be up to Lee's surface task force to stop them. Halsey had given him complete freedom of action after his arrival in the waters off Guadalca.n.a.l.

j.a.panese search planes had sighted Lee when he was still a hundred miles south of Guadalca.n.a.l, but failed to recognize his princ.i.p.al vessels as battles.h.i.+ps. They reported Task Force 64 as composed of two cruisers and four destroyers. Later Kondo dismissed a report of a carrier and possibly some battles.h.i.+ps some fifty miles south of the island, on grounds that they were not in position to intercept him that night. Like the men in Tanaka's transport force, Kondo was confident that the bombardment by the cruisers Suzuya Suzuya and and Maya Maya the previous night had put down the Guadalca.n.a.l aviators. He had little idea what was in store for him. the previous night had put down the Guadalca.n.a.l aviators. He had little idea what was in store for him.

As Task Force 64 approached the island's western sh.o.r.e, the captain of the Was.h.i.+ngton, Was.h.i.+ngton, Glenn Davis, walked into the chart house and pressed the b.u.t.ton on the s.h.i.+p's intercom. "This is the captain speaking. We are going into an action area. We have no great certainty what forces we will encounter. We might be ambushed. A disaster of some sort may come upon us. But whatever it is we are going into, I hope to bring all of you back alive. Good luck to all of us." After the epic dustups of the previous two nights, the men on the islands around Savo Sound had learned to expect fireworks after dark. Willis Lee slugged north toward collision, aiming to oblige them. Glenn Davis, walked into the chart house and pressed the b.u.t.ton on the s.h.i.+p's intercom. "This is the captain speaking. We are going into an action area. We have no great certainty what forces we will encounter. We might be ambushed. A disaster of some sort may come upon us. But whatever it is we are going into, I hope to bring all of you back alive. Good luck to all of us." After the epic dustups of the previous two nights, the men on the islands around Savo Sound had learned to expect fireworks after dark. Willis Lee slugged north toward collision, aiming to oblige them.

SAVO SOUND WAS QUIET. Off the port bows of Lee's s.h.i.+ps, the skies and calm waters were gently lit by flashes on the horizon-the gunfire from Tanaka's transport group as it resisted the last wave of aircraft from Henderson Field. As night fell, a quarter moon reclined overhead and the orange glow of fires warmed the western horizon, the fires of burning s.h.i.+ps-trophies for the busy pilots of the Cactus Air Force.

None of this soothed the battles.h.i.+p sailors as they cruised at eighteen knots, prows easing through the sea. The sight of land nearby kept their nerves on edge. Appreciating the need for operating s.p.a.ce, Lee had arranged his destroyers-the Walke Walke leading the leading the Benham, Preston, Benham, Preston, and and Gwin Gwin-nearly three miles ahead of the battles.h.i.+ps, which themselves were separated by nearly a mile. The men in the big s.h.i.+ps craved sea room. "All we can do is trust in G.o.d and our surveys, and the surveys are not much good," wrote a South Dakota South Dakota chaplain, James V. Claypool. He tried to play chess with another officer but found he couldn't concentrate. He read from a book t.i.tled chaplain, James V. Claypool. He tried to play chess with another officer but found he couldn't concentrate. He read from a book t.i.tled How to Keep a Sound Mind How to Keep a Sound Mind but didn't get very far. but didn't get very far.

Lee checked in with Guadalca.n.a.l's radio station, known as "Cactus Control," for the latest dope. His own radio department had heard j.a.panese voices on the air, but couldn't translate them for want of an interpreter on board. Indeed, the intelligence setup was one of the continuing weaknesses of the SOPAC command. No reliable coordination yet existed between the commanders on the island and the naval forces they relied on for defense. Neither Captain Greenman, the "Commander of Naval Activities," nor General Vandegrift was regularly apprised of the movements of friendly s.h.i.+ps. As Lee awaited a reply from Cactus Control, there came a mysterious dispatch from an unidentified sender-one that Captain DuBose of the Portland, Portland, still moored to a palm tree in the shadows of Tulagi, would have understood all too well. still moored to a palm tree in the shadows of Tulagi, would have understood all too well.

"There go two big ones, but I don't know whose they are." The intercepted words belonged to the skipper of a PT boat, lurking in shadow. The intercepted words belonged to the skipper of a PT boat, lurking in shadow.

[image]

Order of Battle-The Battles.h.i.+p Night Action (November 1415, 1942) [image]

U.S.

TASK FORCE 64.

Rear Adm. Willis Lee Was.h.i.+ngton (BB) (flags.h.i.+p) (BB) (flags.h.i.+p) South Dakota (BB) (BB) Walke (DD) (DD) Benham (DD) (DD) Preston (DD) (DD) Gwin (DD) (DD) j.a.pan ADVANCED FORCE.

Vice Adm. n.o.butake Kondo Bombardment Unit Vice Adm. Kondo Kiris.h.i.+ma (BB) (BB) Atago (CA) (flags.h.i.+p) (CA) (flags.h.i.+p) Takao (CA) (CA) Screening Unit Rear Adm. Susumu Kimura Nagara (CL) (CL) s.h.i.+rayuki (DD) (DD) Hatsuyuki (DD) (DD) Teruzuki (DD) (DD) Samidare (DD) (DD) Inazuma (DD) (DD) Asagumo (DD) (DD) Sweeping Unit Rear Adm. s.h.i.+ntaro Has.h.i.+moto Sendai (CL) (CL) Uranami (DD) (DD) s.h.i.+kinami (DD) (DD) Ayanami (DD) (DD) Reinforcement Unit Rear Adm. Raizo Tanaka Four transports, nine destroyers [image]

[image]

(Photo Credit: 36.1) Lee raised Guadalca.n.a.l again and warned them off. "Refer your big boss about Ching Lee; Chinese, catchee? Call off your boys!" "Refer your big boss about Ching Lee; Chinese, catchee? Call off your boys!" The warning seemed to register. Another episode like the near torpedoing of the The warning seemed to register. Another episode like the near torpedoing of the Portland Portland would have had dire consequences for the mosquito boat drivers. would have had dire consequences for the mosquito boat drivers.

By ten thirty, Lee was cutting a clockwise arc about twenty miles north of Savo Island. With his sweeping radar beams revealing no contacts, he pa.s.sed near the grave site of the Hiei, Hiei, over the wrecks of the over the wrecks of the Vincennes, Vincennes, the the Quincy, Quincy, and the and the Astoria, Astoria, then reentered Savo Sound, to cruise over the seafloor where the then reentered Savo Sound, to cruise over the seafloor where the Atlanta Atlanta lay. As the task force came around to a westerly heading and steamed toward Cape Esperance, the navigators and helmsmen of the task force noticed that their magnetic compa.s.s needles were twitching and spinning. Magnetic interference was straightforward enough an explanation. Some thought the dead s.h.i.+ps of Ironbottom Sound were reaching out with an inscrutable message. lay. As the task force came around to a westerly heading and steamed toward Cape Esperance, the navigators and helmsmen of the task force noticed that their magnetic compa.s.s needles were twitching and spinning. Magnetic interference was straightforward enough an explanation. Some thought the dead s.h.i.+ps of Ironbottom Sound were reaching out with an inscrutable message.

37.

The Gun Club FAITHFULLY MOTORING IN CIRCLES AS IT CAST ITS TEN-CENTIMETER microwaves, the microwaves, the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's SG radar spied the enemy s.h.i.+ps to the north of northwest, as they left the cover of Savo Island making twenty-one knots. The radars watched the enemy vessels for several minutes at a range of eighteen thousand yards, sharing their data on human wavelengths via the PPI scope, and to the mechanical fire-control computer that delivered calculus to the gun turrets, before losing track of the contacts because of interference from land.

The radars were sketching a picture, definite in range and bearing if indistinct in composition, of two groups of enemy s.h.i.+ps north of Savo Island. Admiral Lee and Captain Davis had designed the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's fire-control procedures around the fact that this type of data was essential to everything. They made sure that their radar plot officer did not operate the traditional way, communicating through a sailor who served as his "talker." Instead, he was wired up with his own headset to speak directly to the gunnery officer, the main battery plotting room officer, and the trainers in each of the gun director stations, all at the same time. In this way, he could describe the appearance of the scope and designate targets directly to all stations with a need to know, with less confusion.

With a Philip Morris hanging from his lips, Willis Lee said to Davis, "Well, stand by, Glenn, here they come." In every compartment of the Was.h.i.+ngton, Was.h.i.+ngton, an electronic bell gave two short rings, signaling a warning that a salvo was imminent. Hydraulic hoists trundled twenty-seven-hundred-pound projectiles up from the magazines to the turrets. The powder cars whisked up silk cylindrical bags filled with explosive propellant. The projectiles were eased mechanically onto the heavy bronze breech-loading trays and the powder bags laid in behind them, as many as eight per load depending on the range to the target. After the breech had been rammed and locked, the gun captain hit the ready light indicating the gun was ready to fire. an electronic bell gave two short rings, signaling a warning that a salvo was imminent. Hydraulic hoists trundled twenty-seven-hundred-pound projectiles up from the magazines to the turrets. The powder cars whisked up silk cylindrical bags filled with explosive propellant. The projectiles were eased mechanically onto the heavy bronze breech-loading trays and the powder bags laid in behind them, as many as eight per load depending on the range to the target. After the breech had been rammed and locked, the gun captain hit the ready light indicating the gun was ready to fire.

Admiral Kondo had arrayed his force in three groups. Consisting of the Kiris.h.i.+ma Kiris.h.i.+ma and the cruisers and the cruisers Atago Atago and and Takao, Takao, his Bombardment Unit was his centerpiece. Ahead of those large s.h.i.+ps went his Screening Unit, the light cruiser his Bombardment Unit was his centerpiece. Ahead of those large s.h.i.+ps went his Screening Unit, the light cruiser Nagara Nagara leading six destroyers, commanded by Rear Admiral Susumu Kimura. Off to the east steamed a separate Sweeping Unit made up of the light cruiser leading six destroyers, commanded by Rear Admiral Susumu Kimura. Off to the east steamed a separate Sweeping Unit made up of the light cruiser Sendai Sendai and three destroyers under Rear Admiral s.h.i.+ntaro Has.h.i.+moto. It was this latter group that Lee's radars detected first as the and three destroyers under Rear Admiral s.h.i.+ntaro Has.h.i.+moto. It was this latter group that Lee's radars detected first as the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton and and South Dakota South Dakota plunged along on their westerly heading, tracing a course south of Savo Island. On the radar scope, the plunged along on their westerly heading, tracing a course south of Savo Island. On the radar scope, the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's radar plot officer watched the light echoes separate from the ma.s.s of Savo Island, "then separate into 'drops' similar to the effect of planes taking off from a carrier."

The Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's turrets trained to starboard and fixed on Has.h.i.+moto's group as it approached on the east side of Savo Island, sliding aft relative to the battles.h.i.+ps as they moved west. At 11:13 p.m., when Main Battery Control reported to Lee that the narrowcasting fire-control radars had found targets and were yielding ranges, Lee hailed Gatch over the TBS and gave the South Dakota South Dakota permission to open fire. It was not until the enemy vessels were spotted visually, at 18,500 yards, that the permission to open fire. It was not until the enemy vessels were spotted visually, at 18,500 yards, that the Was.h.i.+ngton, Was.h.i.+ngton, followed closely by the followed closely by the South Dakota, South Dakota, let loose. For the second time in three nights, Savo Sound erupted in thunder and light. let loose. For the second time in three nights, Savo Sound erupted in thunder and light.

Ensign Robert B. Reed of the Preston Preston watched the mighty flags.h.i.+p astern. As the corona of the watched the mighty flags.h.i.+p astern. As the corona of the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's first broadside faded, he could follow the nine red tracers as they flew away, "grouped together for all the world like a flight of airplanes," he said. Reed watched the salvo disappear up into the low-hanging clouds, then reemerge ten miles downrange. When the fire-control radar received echoes that showed the first salvo had landed "over," beyond its target, the plotting officer checked his headphone chinstrap-the concussion of the big guns sent more than a few headsets clattering to the deck-then instructed the gunnery officer, Commander H. T. Walsh, to "spot down," lowering the elevation of the gun. The second salvo, fired forty-five seconds later, registered a "straddle." The officers watching the radars knew their fire was on target when they saw the radar image of the target flicker at the moment of impact.

After the two battles.h.i.+ps commenced fire, radio snoopers in the South Dakota South Dakota heard a cacophony of j.a.panese voices, "excited and very numerous." They counted at least thirteen stations on this frequency at one time. Though the heard a cacophony of j.a.panese voices, "excited and very numerous." They counted at least thirteen stations on this frequency at one time. Though the South Dakota South Dakota's main battery was hamstrung, with just four guns working in her two forward triple turrets, she continued her cannonade until her forward turrets, swinging aft to remain on target, b.u.mped up against the stops that kept her from firing into her own superstructure. The after turret, with no such restraints, kept firing, however, and as it trained straight aft the wash of fire from her barrels set fire to her two floatplanes, fantail-mounted on catapults. The small bonfires raged briefly before the next salvo blew them right off the s.h.i.+p.

The light cruiser Sendai Sendai and the destroyers and the destroyers s.h.i.+kinami s.h.i.+kinami and and Uranami Uranami were the objects of this large-caliber fury. Though Has.h.i.+moto's small squadron was engulfed in that maelstrom, not one of his s.h.i.+ps was actually hit. The Sweeping Unit commander, the first naval officer to take fire from sixteen-inch guns, ordered his captains to lay a smoke screen-of little benefit against a radar-guided foe-and reverse course to seek other opportunities to "sweep." Surrounded by towering splashes, the captains of the j.a.panese s.h.i.+ps, making smoke, beat a high-speed retreat. were the objects of this large-caliber fury. Though Has.h.i.+moto's small squadron was engulfed in that maelstrom, not one of his s.h.i.+ps was actually hit. The Sweeping Unit commander, the first naval officer to take fire from sixteen-inch guns, ordered his captains to lay a smoke screen-of little benefit against a radar-guided foe-and reverse course to seek other opportunities to "sweep." Surrounded by towering splashes, the captains of the j.a.panese s.h.i.+ps, making smoke, beat a high-speed retreat.

The Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's secondary battery cracked ferociously away as well, with the two forward five-inch mounts shooting at the main battery's targets, and the next two mounts aft firing on a cruiser that appeared to be illuminating the South Dakota South Dakota. The after dual five-inch mount lofted star sh.e.l.ls. The intense flash of the five-inch fusillades blinded his main battery director operators and turret captains as they looked out through their night scopes. But fighting by eyesight was the old way of war. Now the human senses were an auxiliary system. "Radar has forced the Captain or OTC to base a greater part of his actions in a night engagement on what he is told rather than what he can see," Lee would write. Coolly deciding which directors would control which turrets, and switching them as the geometry of the engagement s.h.i.+fted, Willis Lee became the first naval commander to manage a gunfight mostly by radar remote control.

Using the picture his radar provided him, Lee could see his four destroyers ahead and monitor the s.h.i.+fting geometry of the landma.s.ses around him. He had a fine view of the naval landscape. What he did not have, owing to an oversight in s.h.i.+p design, was an electronic picture of the situation to his rear. With his radar transmitters bolted to the front side of the tower foremast, he could register no returns through a sixty-degree arc astern. The South Dakota South Dakota was in that blind spot. Without visual contact with the other battles.h.i.+p, he was susceptible to the same uncertainty that clouded the view of Scott and Callaghan in the previous surface engagements in Savo Sound. Lee could no longer be completely sure that large targets on his radar were hostile. was in that blind spot. Without visual contact with the other battles.h.i.+p, he was susceptible to the same uncertainty that clouded the view of Scott and Callaghan in the previous surface engagements in Savo Sound. Lee could no longer be completely sure that large targets on his radar were hostile.

Lee's battles.h.i.+ps were the first s.h.i.+ps that night to make their powerful presence felt, but in short order the destroyers in his van were grappling with the enemy-and suffering the consequences of the collision. At about 11:30 p.m., the lead vessel, the Walke, Walke, located a target on her starboard beam at fifteen thousand yards. It was a lone enemy s.h.i.+p, the destroyer located a target on her starboard beam at fifteen thousand yards. It was a lone enemy s.h.i.+p, the destroyer Ayanami, Ayanami, which had strayed from Has.h.i.+moto's formation and was winding a course west of Savo Island, alone. As the s.h.i.+p closed on their starboard hand, the which had strayed from Has.h.i.+moto's formation and was winding a course west of Savo Island, alone. As the s.h.i.+p closed on their starboard hand, the Walke Walke opened fire with her five-inch guns. Five minutes later, lookouts in Commander Max Stormes's opened fire with her five-inch guns. Five minutes later, lookouts in Commander Max Stormes's Preston, Preston, third in line, spotted the third in line, spotted the Nagara Nagara ahead, leading four destroyers of the Screening Unit, and opened fire on her at seventy-five hundred yards. The ahead, leading four destroyers of the Screening Unit, and opened fire on her at seventy-five hundred yards. The Walke Walke and the and the Benham, Preston, Benham, Preston, and and Gwin Gwin turned their fire on these s.h.i.+ps ahead. turned their fire on these s.h.i.+ps ahead.

The Walke Walke's captain, Thomas E. Fraser, had a hard time seeing his target, the Ayanami, Ayanami, given how closely the enemy destroyer was hugging Savo's sh.o.r.e. His radar could see the target only when it was far enough from land to return a separate echo. The given how closely the enemy destroyer was hugging Savo's sh.o.r.e. His radar could see the target only when it was far enough from land to return a separate echo. The Ayanami Ayanami's captain had no plans to allow that to happen. From the cover of the dark sh.o.r.eline, around eleven thirty, he fired torpedoes at the American van and reversed course away from the action. The torpedoes were on their way. Enemy gunfire was faster in arriving.

By the light of a setting quarter moon flirting with low clouds, the Preston Preston opened fire on another s.h.i.+p, the light cruiser opened fire on another s.h.i.+p, the light cruiser Nagara, Nagara, in the loom of Savo Island. Steaming at twenty-three knots, Stormes's s.h.i.+p found a hitting range at nine thousand yards when she was struck hard by a pair of 5.5-inch sh.e.l.ls that plunged into her machinery s.p.a.ces from the starboard side, killing everyone in her two fire rooms. The blast propelled a filthy cloud of firebrick and debris out of the stacks that settled all across the amids.h.i.+ps area. Shattered torpedo warheads leaked TNT that quickly caught fire. The s.h.i.+p's after stack fell across a searchlight installation, knocking it over onto the starboard torpedo tube. A heavier hit followed as a strange s.h.i.+p-which the in the loom of Savo Island. Steaming at twenty-three knots, Stormes's s.h.i.+p found a hitting range at nine thousand yards when she was struck hard by a pair of 5.5-inch sh.e.l.ls that plunged into her machinery s.p.a.ces from the starboard side, killing everyone in her two fire rooms. The blast propelled a filthy cloud of firebrick and debris out of the stacks that settled all across the amids.h.i.+ps area. Shattered torpedo warheads leaked TNT that quickly caught fire. The s.h.i.+p's after stack fell across a searchlight installation, knocking it over onto the starboard torpedo tube. A heavier hit followed as a strange s.h.i.+p-which the Preston Preston's officers would speculate was a j.a.panese heavy cruiser-approached from the port side of the American column and fired on the destroyer. One large sh.e.l.l entered the engine room, exploding against the electrical generators. Another hit near the number three gun, and a third was a direct hit on the number four. The blast was so great that it jammed guns one and two all the way forward. Aft of the stacks, the Preston Preston's decks were a blazing ruin. Captain Stormes was forced to give the order to abandon s.h.i.+p almost immediately.

However, to the executive officer of the South Dakota, South Dakota, Commander A. E. Uehlinger, and another officer, Henry Stewart, it was clear that the Commander A. E. Uehlinger, and another officer, Henry Stewart, it was clear that the Preston Preston was a victim of friendly fire. "I saw the was a victim of friendly fire. "I saw the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton open fire to her starboard," Stewart said. "To us it looked as if the open fire to her starboard," Stewart said. "To us it looked as if the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton's fire had caused the accident." The action reports would lend credence to the idea that even Willis Lee was susceptible to making deadly mistakes in the heat of battle.

As the Preston Preston coasted to a stop, the coasted to a stop, the Walke Walke was. .h.i.t, too. Captain Fraser was working to set up a torpedo solution at a large target to starboard when the enemy fish arrived. One struck the was. .h.i.t, too. Captain Fraser was working to set up a torpedo solution at a large target to starboard when the enemy fish arrived. One struck the Walke Walke forward of the bridge, lifting the forward half of the s.h.i.+p "bodily out of the water," the action report read. As the destroyer crashed back into the sea without a bow forward of the bridge superstructure, one of the s.h.i.+p's magazines detonated and its explosion ruptured forward fuel oil tanks and tore holes in the superstructure decks. A few seconds later, several medium-caliber warheads slammed into the s.h.i.+p, blowing away a swath of her forecastle and forward superstructure decking. Across the main deck surged a flood of fuel oil several inches deep. Flames roared through the forward compartments. Very quickly it became clear that the forward of the bridge, lifting the forward half of the s.h.i.+p "bodily out of the water," the action report read. As the destroyer crashed back into the sea without a bow forward of the bridge superstructure, one of the s.h.i.+p's magazines detonated and its explosion ruptured forward fuel oil tanks and tore holes in the superstructure decks. A few seconds later, several medium-caliber warheads slammed into the s.h.i.+p, blowing away a swath of her forecastle and forward superstructure decking. Across the main deck surged a flood of fuel oil several inches deep. Flames roared through the forward compartments. Very quickly it became clear that the Walke Walke was going down by the bow. When machine-gun ammunition started popping and the forward bulkhead of the fire room finally buckled, Fraser decided to abandon s.h.i.+p. The severed bow floated on as the stern sank. Minutes later the survivors in the water were rocked by an undersea blast as the s.h.i.+p's depth charges exploded, to grievous effect in their company. The dead included Captain Fraser. The was going down by the bow. When machine-gun ammunition started popping and the forward bulkhead of the fire room finally buckled, Fraser decided to abandon s.h.i.+p. The severed bow floated on as the stern sank. Minutes later the survivors in the water were rocked by an undersea blast as the s.h.i.+p's depth charges exploded, to grievous effect in their company. The dead included Captain Fraser. The Walke Walke's dead would number eighty-two men, including six of her officers.

The Benham, Benham, behind the behind the Walke, Walke, briefly took the lead before a sh.e.l.l plunged into her fire room. Then a torpedo struck, a Type 90 fish probably fired by the briefly took the lead before a sh.e.l.l plunged into her fire room. Then a torpedo struck, a Type 90 fish probably fired by the Ayanami Ayanami. It carried away about fifty feet of the Benham Benham's bow below the main deck. The blast produced no fatalities but sent a tall column of hot seawater soaring toward the stars. When it came back down, it washed heavily over the length of the s.h.i.+p, causing injuries topside and carrying a man overboard. Then another shower fell on the Benham: Benham: oil and debris from the explosion on board the oil and debris from the explosion on board the Preston Preston ahead. The ahead. The Benham Benham continued along at ten knots. The continued along at ten knots. The Gwin, Gwin, riding in the van's rear, popped star sh.e.l.ls, illuminating the coast of Savo, where flashes of gunfire were visible. Her torpedo crew had a solution on a cruiser but a short circuit caused a torpedo to fire prematurely, well out of range. Then the riding in the van's rear, popped star sh.e.l.ls, illuminating the coast of Savo, where flashes of gunfire were visible. Her torpedo crew had a solution on a cruiser but a short circuit caused a torpedo to fire prematurely, well out of range. Then the Gwin, Gwin, too, started absorbing sh.e.l.ls, taking a hit in the engine room. A failure in her safety circuits caused three torpedoes to release from their tubes and slide harmlessly overboard. The too, started absorbing sh.e.l.ls, taking a hit in the engine room. A failure in her safety circuits caused three torpedoes to release from their tubes and slide harmlessly overboard. The Gwin Gwin came right to avoid the dying came right to avoid the dying Preston Preston and continued on her westerly course. and continued on her westerly course.

The Benham Benham's captain, Lieutenant Commander John B. Taylor, saw the trouble ahead and decided to steer clear of the damaged s.h.i.+ps and the churn of enemy gunfire. Turning hard right, he made a half circle and steadied up, heading east until the Was.h.i.+ngton Was.h.i.+ngton pa.s.sed on an opposite course. Circling back around, Taylor, seeing the burning pa.s.sed on an opposite course. Circling back around, Taylor, seeing the burning Walke Walke and and Preston, Preston, planned to stop and recover survivors. When the two cripples came under fire again, he elected, however, to withdraw. planned to stop and recover survivors. When the two cripples came under fire again, he elected, however, to withdraw.

It was around this time, at about 11:33 p.m., that the South Dakota South Dakota suffered an appalling systems failure. Her after turret had just lashed out at a target off the starboard bow when Captain Gatch's s.h.i.+p was seized as if by an aneurysm, a short circuit in her main switchboard. As the breakers tripped out in the switchboards that served her secondary battery, only to find that they had been tied down by the chief engineer, the overload surged to other switches, creating a collapsing house of cards within the s.h.i.+p's power grid. In an instant the great battles.h.i.+p went dark.