Battle of Cape Esperance

11–12 October 1942, Between Savo Island and Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal

American victory

Rear Admiral Norman Scott was waiting with four cruisers and five destroyers when Rear Admiral Aritomo Gotō came down the Slot to shell Henderson Field, while a separate Japanese group brought heavy guns and troops. Helena's radar found the Japanese, and by luck Scott crossed their T. Gotō, sure that the ships firing at him were Japanese, flashed recognition signals; Aoba was wrecked and he was mortally wounded. Furutaka and the destroyer Fubuki were sunk. In the confusion the Americans also fired on their own destroyers, sinking Duncan, and Boise was saved from blowing up only by seawater flooding her burning magazine. The next day aircraft sank two destroyers sent back for survivors. It was the first American night victory over the Japanese navy, but the reinforcement group landed its guns and men unnoticed.