"Ironbottom Sound" (alternatively Iron Bottom Sound or Ironbottomed Sound or Iron Bottom Bay) is the name given by Allied sailors to the stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there during the naval actions comprising the Battle of Guadalcanal during 1942–1943. Before the war, it was called Savo Sound. Every year on the battle's anniversary, a US ship cruises into the waters and drops a wreath to commemorate the men who lost their lives.[citation needed] For many Navy sailors, and those who served in the area during that time, the waters in this area are considered sacred, and strict silence is observed as ships cruise through.[citation needed]
Yamatsuki Maru – troop transport beached and then attacked by US bombers. These attacks set the transports afire and destroyed most equipment not unloaded before dawn. In September and October 1944, the wreck was used as a target for tests of the TDR-1 Drone by STAG-1 based at North Field on Banika, Russell Islands as part of the top secret project testing of America's first guided missile.
Yamaura Maru – troop transport beached in Doma Cove
I-1 – Type J1 submarine; rammed by RNZN ASW Corvettes, ran aground 29 January 1943
Makigumo – Yūgumo-class destroyer; hit Mine while under attack by PT Boat 1 February 1943
Kyushu Maru (Kyūsyū Maru[1]) – military transport; attacked by the “Cactus Air Force” (later Air Sols) from Henderson Field 14 October 1942
Sasako Maru – military transport; attacked by the “Cactus Air Force” (later Air Sols) from Henderson Field 14 October 1942. Beached and becomes a total loss. She is also known as the Sasago Maru.
↑USS Jarvis was briefly involved in the Battle of Savo Island, but did not actually sink in the sound; she was lost in a separate bomber attack later that day retreating from Guadalcanal.
↑USS Juneau is usually described as being sunk in the aftermath of the [First] Naval Battle of Guadalcanal; her loss took place away from the sound in the Solomon Sea to the southeast.
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