USN
Squadron 2
1942
Captain Lt. Jack Searles
Sunk December 7-8, 1942
Ship History
Arrived at Guadalcanal in November 1942, based at Tulagi.
Wartime History
During the night of December 7-8, 1942, eight PT Boats attacked eight Japanese destroyers off Kokumbona and Cape Esperance, and a four-boat division lay to [came to a stationary position] near Savo Island to act as a striking force. After initial contact took place off Cape Esperance, the striking group of four boats closed and unleashed a torpedo attack. In the ensuing running gun battle, the PTs weaved around the destroyers in a confused melee. PT-59 was hit by shellfire, and suffered minor damage, the Japanese withdrew, racing north with uncertain damage and without delivering their reinforcements.
The next day, three miles off Kamimbo Bay, I-3 surfaced, PT-59 and PT-44 attack with machine guns and PT-59 launches two torpedoes, one hits amidship sinking this PT-Boat.
Sinking History
Sunk off near Chapuru Village at Cape Esperence.
References
Thanks to Ewan Stevenson for additional information
