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| Location The Battle of Cape Esperance occurred in the Solomon Islands during the night of October 11-12, 1942 in the western end of Iron Bottom Sound in the strait between Cape Esperance on the northwest coast of Guadalcanal and Savo Island. Also known as the "Second Battle of Savo Island". Known to the Japanese as the "Sea Battle of Savo Island". This battle was the third of five major naval engagements during the Guadalcanal campaign. Wartime History On October 11, 1942 at 8:00am a Japanese Navy resupply convoy under the command of Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa departs Shortland via "The Slot" bound for Guadalcanal. The convoy includes two seaplane tenders Nisshin and Chitose escorted by six destroyers Asagumo, Natsugumo, Yamagumo, Shirayuki, Murakumo, and Akizuki under the command of Rear Admiral Takatsugu Jojima. At 2:00pm three heavy cruisers Aoba, Furutaka and Kinugasa plus two destroyers Fubuki and Hatsuyuki under the command of Rear Admiral Aritomo Gotō were to provide cover by bombarding Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Shortly before midnight, a U.S. Navy (USN) force of four cruisers: USS Salt Lake City (CA-25), USS Boise (CL-47), USS Helena (CL-50) and USS San Francisco (CA-38) and five destroyers, under the command of Rear Admiral Norman Scott, intercepted Gotō's force as it approached Savo Island. The Americans took the Japanese by surprise and sank Heavy Cruiser Furutaka and Destroyer Fubuki. Heavily damaged was Heavy Cruiser Aoba with Admiral Gotō aboard mortally wounded. Afterwards, the remainder of Gotō's force abandons the shore bombardment mission and retreats. On the American side, USS Duncan (DD-485) was hit by gunfire and later sinks plus one cruiser and another destroyer were heavily damaged. Meanwhile, the Japanese supply convoy successfully completed unloading at Cape Esperance and began their return journey without being discovered by Scott's force. On October 12, 1942 in the early morning four Japanese destroyers from the supply convoy turned back to assist Gotō's retreating, damaged warships and are targeted by U.S. planes from Henderson Field resulted in the sinking of Murakumo and Natsugumo. Despite Scott's victory in the action, the battle had little immediate, strategic importance. Just two nights later, two Japanese battleships bombarded and almost destroyed Henderson Field and more Japanese reinforcements were successfully landed on Guadalcanal. Fubuki Sunk October 11, 1942 during the Battle of Cape Esperance. Furutaka Damaged October 11, 1942 during the Battle of Cape Esperance sunk October 12, 1942 at 2:28am. USS Duncan (DD-485) Sunk October 12, 1942 in the early morning sunk by gunfire during the Battle of Cape Esperance. Murakumo Damaged October 11, 1942 during the Battle of Cape Esperance scuttled October 12, 1942. Natsugumo Sunk October 12, 1942 by U.S. dive bombers 90 miles west-northwest of Savo Island References Combined Fleet: Guadalcanal Naval Battles #2. Battle of Cape Esperance (October 11, 1942) Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Surface Lessons of Guadalcanal (map Battle of Cape Esperance) Contribute
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 Map Oct 11, 1942 USN Map Oct 11, 1942 IJN Map Iron Bottom Sound |
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