The American column directed most of its gunfire at the screening destroyer Takanami, which returned a full torpedo salvo before being incapacitated. The result removed one Japanese ship and prevented it from reloading, but four or five cruisers did not need to concentrate on one destroyer at roughly 6,000 yards. The other destroyers were not engaged with the same concentration. This was the opening that allowed Tanaka's main force to alter course and launch its own attack.
Notable Point · 1:03:03-1:05:03
Takanami absorbs the American gunfire
American cruisers quickly disabled Takanami, but concentrating their fire on one destroyer left Tanaka's remaining ships free to manoeuvre and respond.