The two late-attached destroyers at the rear failed to locate a target and were mistakenly engaged by machine guns from the damaged New Orleans. Cole's four leading destroyers made a wide circuit around Savo Island at maximum speed, but the battle had ended by the time they returned. Tanaka ordered his force to disengage, and an attempted rescue of the burning Takanami was abandoned when American ships were detected. The sequence confirms the pre-battle concern that separating destroyers from the cruiser column would make them difficult to track and slow their return to the action.
Notable Point · 1:16:15-1:17:27
The American destroyer plan breaks down during withdrawal
The rear destroyers found no targets and drew friendly fire, while the leading division circled Savo Island and returned only after Tanaka had broken contact.