Yorktown had begun refuelling fighters when another incoming air group forced the crew to prepare for battle again. They stopped fuelling and smothered the gasoline system while directing available patrol aircraft toward the attackers. Eight of the ten Wildcats aboard had only 23 US gallons in their tanks, but they launched to add what protection they could. The fighters destroyed some attackers, and manoeuvring avoided two torpedoes, yet two others struck the port side. Yorktown lost power, her rudder jammed, and her list increased as the boiler fires went out. At about 26 degrees of list, Captain Buckmaster ordered abandonment and searched the ship before leaving over the stern.
Notable Point · 1:51:37-1:54:13
Yorktown launches nearly empty fighters before the torpedo attack
The next Japanese strike caught Yorktown while her fighters were refuelling, leaving a hurried defence before two torpedo hits forced abandonment.