Battle of The Komandorski Islands - Battle

Battle

• 0600: The United States ships were formed in a scouting line at six-mile intervals zig-zagging at 15 knots on base course 020°.
• 0730: Lead ships Coghlan and Richmond made radar contact with the two trailing Japanese transports and a destroyer on course 080° at 13 kn (15 mph; 24 km/h). A navigating officer on one of the transports visually observed the American force minutes later.
• 0740: The Americans changed course to 080° and the rear ships increased speed to operate as a compact group. Five radar contacts were counted.
• 0755: The Japanese turned northward to course 340° and the Americans came to course 000° to follow.
• 0811: The Americans visually identified the radar contacts as two transports, two light cruisers, and a destroyer.
• 0820: The Americans sighted the masts of four more Japanese ships on the horizon.
• 0835: The Americans identified the masts as two heavy cruisers and two destroyers and turned to course 240°.
• 0838: The Japanese transports swerved off to the northwest.
• 0839: The Americans increased speed to 25 kn (29 mph; 46 km/h).
• 0840: Nachi opened fire on Richmond at a range of 20,000 yd (18,000 m). The second and third salvos were straddles.
• 0841: Richmond opened fire on Nachi. The third salvo was a straddle.
• 0842: Salt Lake City opened fire on Nachi at a range of 21,000 yd (19,000 m). The second salvo was a straddle.

As the range closed, Bailey opened fire on Nachi at a range of 14,000 yd (13,000 m) and then switched to a light cruiser. Coghlan opened fire on Nachi at a range of 18,000 yd (16,000 m).

• 0845: Nachi launched eight torpedoes. All missed.
• 0850: One of Richmond′s 6 in (150 mm) shells hit the starboard side of Nachi′s signal bridge, killing 11 and wounding 21. Another shell hit Nachi′s mainmast and severed the flagship radio communication.
• 0852: One of Richmond′s 6-inch shells hit Nachi′s torpedo compartment. Another of Richmond′s 6-inch shells hit Nachi′s control room, killing two and wounding five. Nachi dropped back after losing electrical power to ammunition hoists and gun mounts.
• 0903: Richmond ceased firing. Salt Lake City continued firing from stern turrets.
• 0910: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8 in (200 mm) projectile fired by Maya. The starboard observation plane caught fire and was jettisoned.
• 0920: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya. Two men were killed.
• 1010: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya.
• 1059: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya.
• 1103: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya. Salt Lake City transferred water to correct a list caused by flooding.
• 1152: Salt Lake City was hit by an 8-inch projectile fired by Maya.
• 1153: Salt water entered a fuel tank in use and extinguished Salt Lake City′s boiler fires.
• 1154: Salt Lake City slowed to a stop. Bailey, Coghlan and Monaghan approached the Japanese cruisers for a torpedo attack while Richmond and Dale made smoke to shield Salt Lake City.
• 1203: Salt Lake City restarted boilers and increased speed to 15 knots.
• 1213: Salt Lake City increased speed to 22 kn (25 mph; 41 km/h).
• 1225: Bailey launched five torpedoes at 9,500 yd (8,700 m). All missed. Bailey was hit twice by 8-inch shells and came to a stop with five dead. Coghlan was hit once.
• 1230: Japanese ships retired westward. Neither Coghlan nor Monaghan launched torpedoes.

Salt Lake City fired 806 armor-piercing projectiles and then 26 high-capacity shells after the supply of armor-piercing ammunition was exhausted. Powder and shells were manhandled aft from the forward magazines to keep the after guns firing. Salt Lake City′s rudder stops were carried away, limiting her to 10° course changes.