Destroyer Yuudachi

Yuudachi (夕立, "Evening Squall") was laid down at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 16 October 1934, launched on 21 June 1936, and commissioned on 7 January 1937. She was the fourth of ten Shiratsuyu-class destroyers — the first Japanese warships completed with quadruple torpedo mounts. The class was designed around the Type 90 torpedo, but by the start of the Pacific War all of its ships carried the devastating Type 93 "Long Lance" oxygen torpedo.

During the night action of the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 12-13 November 1942, Yuudachi earned her legendary reputation. In the chaotic close-range melee between Japanese and American forces off Savo Island, Yuudachi broke away from her formation and charged alone directly into the heart of the American fleet. Her torpedo and gunfire attacks at point-blank range caused havoc among the US ships, contributing to the confusion that led to friendly fire incidents among the Americans.

During her rampage Yuudachi was hit repeatedly and eventually lost power, drifting to a halt between the opposing fleets. Her crew abandoned ship. At dawn the following morning, the crippled cruiser USS Portland, herself dead in the water and circling from a jammed rudder, finished off the drifting Yuudachi with gunfire. She sank in Ironbottom Sound.

Her fearless charge has become one of the most celebrated destroyer actions of the Pacific War, earning her the sobriquet "Solomon no Akumu" (Solomon's Nightmare) in Japanese naval lore.