Sailors inspect the HMAS Hobart damage the Australian light cruiser of the Royal Navy, torpedoed by a Japanese submarine, in the harbor of Espiritu Santo (New Hebrides). In the photo on the left are turrets of 152 mm BL 6 inch Mk XXIII/50 cannons.
On July 20, 1943, while sailing to the island of Espiritu Santo as part of Task Force 74, the HMAS Hobart damage by torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. The torpedo hit the port side aft and caused serious damage. The explosion tore off two propellers, damaged many pipelines, destroyed bulkheads and interrupted power cables. As a result of the Japanese attack, 13 crew members (7 officers and 6 sailors), as well as one American officer on board, were killed. Seven more people were seriously injured.
Location: Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides
Time when the photo was taken: August 1943