July 30 1942 after arriving in patrol area off Truk and sinking a large tanker and small merchant running together (no escort) heading SW from Truk, orders to divert to New Georgia Sound (The Slot) to patrol for enemy vessels ahead of Operation Watchtower-The invasion of Guadalcanal and Tulagi.
Arrived August 4th. Spotted two merchants off Southern Bougainville. Sunk both of them. Headed down slot. Mid day August 7th SD radar picked up large air raid heading for Bougainville.
August 8th was entering waters off Savo Island for refuel and to take on more torpedoes. large air raid of torpedo equipped Bettys with escorting Zeros attacked landing force. While North of Savo Island, a lone Zero flying at low level jumped , SD radar never detected. Went to GQ and ordered AA gun manned. Chief manning the gun splashed the Zero which appear to attempt a suicide attack as it came back around and dove again. A last minute change of rudder hard to port caused the Zero to miss and slam into the water about 50 yards away, two lookouts and an Ensign on bridge(the GQ OD) suffered minor injuries.
Night of August 8 morning of 9th/ Around 1200 SJ radar made contact with unknown vessels. Closed fast and spotted 6-8 CA and CL with 1-2 DD heading for Savo Sound at high speed. Unable to close range for torpedo attack. Sent contact report and sped to North side of Savo Island to see if could end around for attack.
Around 0130 reports received of large enemy force in savo sound engaging with Allied vessels. In far distance could see flash of gun fire as rounded Savo Island to guard the pass between Savo and Florida Island (Tulagi)
Around 0200, in an unusual moment, SD radar reported a contact. From bridge could hear the humm or a single engine. Out of the darkness flew an unidentified single engine floatplane which buzzed the bridge and dropped a close bomb before bridge could be cleared. In the moonlight with plane an estimated 25 feet above could clearly see the "meatball: insignia of the plane. Must have been a observation plane from the cruiser making a night spotting mission. We went to 100 feet then came back to scope depth. Listening around, could hear heavy screws in distance with gunfire hitting water.
We raced at flank speed into the sound to see if could intercept enemy force. Soon had CA in sights closed on surface . Suddenly large shell splashes landed about 1000 yards to port,Aoba Class CA had us targeted. Crash dive to 100 feet. Soon, sound had the assigned to group was heading our way. Went deep to avoid. Pinged us dropped two charges circled once then headed away at high speed. Came to scope depth. Spotted a CL at 4000 yards. Closed to 2800. Observed an Allied CA explode just as fired four torpedoes at the CA. Two prematurely exploded, one missed and one hit the bow causing fire and heavy damage. Closed while reload commencing.
Sounded reported warship close range. Turned scope to see bow of a CA headed our way at high speed, AA guns firing at scope. Dove to 100 feet as it roared overhead main battery still firing t allied warships. Once fish loaded, came back to scope depth, spotted a CL at 1800 yards closed. Fired four fish. Two prematurely exploded 50 yards or less from target but two hit causing heavy damage. The CL soon began to sink by the bow. The enemy DD, trailing the formation, came rushing in and dropped several close charges, then departed.
Surfaced after dawn. Received a message to help with rescue operations in savo sound. Rescued several survivors, observed some crippled allied cruisers, debris from those sunk.
Battle of Savo Island was a defeat for Allies.
Rearmed and refueled at Tulagi, heading back to assigned area off Truk,..
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