Stern of Nagatsuki shipwreck off Kolombangara Island
On July 6, 1943 in the early morning hours, the destroyer off Kolombangara Island waiting to unload personnel and cargo. At 1:57am, U.S. light cruisers and destroyers spotted the Japanese destroyers and opened fire starting the Battle of Kula Gulf. During the action, Nagatsuki was hit by a 6" shell and ran and was unable to be towed off and was bombed by U.S. aircraft twice and abandoned. On May 8, 1944 the shipwreck was photographed by USS Montpelier (CL-57). At this time, the shipwreck was hard aground with the deck above water. At the stern 12cm Type 3 guns on platforms and the stern triple torpedo launcher. At the stern are rails for depth charges or mines. Credit: USN via NARA 80-G-232152 Date: May 8, 1944
B&W Enlargement
