ntinuous combat operations. Due to the three entrances to the soon-to-be-infamous Ironbottom Sound, the allied forces were compelled to divide their strength into three patrolling squadrons: Southern, Northern, and Eastern. The Allied vessels were unalert, and their commanders were in some cases either asleep or away from the actual scene of action. Beyond the Allied warships lay a transport anchorage off of Lunga Point whose merchant vessels were still packed with equipment intended for the Marines ashore. The stage was set for the most humiliating defeat ever inflicted upon the US Navy. Mikawa’s ships slipped unseen past the destroyer pickets at the mouth of the sound, and soon came upon the Southern group of Allied warships; two heavy cruisers (HMAS Canberra and USS Chicago) and two destroyers. True to standard Japanese tactics, Mikawa’s force first launched torpedoes and then followed up with devastating salvos of 8- and 6-inch gunfire. Canberra was in a sinking condition almost before she was aware that a battle had been joined. Chicago fared slightly better (she wasn’t sunk), Dor Brown 8but never properly got into action, and (even worse) never alerted the Northern Force as to the presence of Mikawa’s squadron. Fifteen minutes later, curving northward around Savo Island’s Eastern Shore, the Japanese came upon the Northern Force, still steaming sedately along in a box patrol pattern. Mikawa’s forces had become divided in the earlier exchange, and by chance enveloped the Allied Northern force from both sides. Taken unaware, and caught in a devastating crossfire, Northern Force’s three heavy cruisers, Vincennes, Quincy, and Astoria, were quickly gunned into sinking hulks.At this point, having slaughtered the allied escorts, the transport anchorage behind him lay open for Mikawa’s taking. But the Japanese admiral’s position was not as favorable as he would have wished. ...
