November 13 1942: The Battle of Guadalcanal rages out of control, with no end in sight, as both sides wage a war of attrition for control of the airstrip known as Henderson Field. Off the coast a flotillia of American warships, including the light cruiser USS Atlanta, intercept a convoy of Japanese ships, beginning what would come to be known as the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. In the confusion of the battle the Atlanta would be struck by nineteen 8in shells from the US Heavy Cruiser USS San Francisco, killing 172 of her crew, and leaving the cruiser mortally wounded. At dawn the Atlanta would be scuttled by her remaining crew, the latest victim of the stretch of water known as Ironbottom Sound.
Song: Falling Embers
Artist: Enya
Subject: USS Atlanta
Footage From: Victory at Sea: Guadalcanal
