Ironbottom Sound

Long ago, this water was called Savo Sound.

Many ships and planes sank here during a war. Because of this, sailors gave it a new name. They called it Ironbottom Sound.

More than 50 ships went down in the deep water. Some were big boats and some were small.

Every year, a ship visits this place. It drops a wreath to remember the men.

It is a very special place to visit.

Ironbottom Sound is a part of the ocean. It sits near the Solomon Islands. Before the war, people called it Savo Sound.

Many battles happened here between 1942 and 1943. These fights were part of the Battle of Guadalcanal. Many ships and planes sank during these fights. Because of this, sailors gave the water a new name. They called it Ironbottom Sound.

More than 50 ships sank in the deep water. Some were large ships. Others were small boats like PT boats. One Japanese ship was a big battlecruiser. Some ships even ran aground on the shore. One was the Kinugawa Maru.

People still remember the men who died there. Every year, a US ship visits the area. It drops a wreath into the water. This is to honor those who lost their lives.

Ironbottom Sound is a special part of the ocean. It is located in the Solomon Islands. This area sits between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and the Nggela Islands. Before a big war began, people called this water Savo Sound.

Today, the name tells a different story. It is a place where many ships now rest on the sea floor. This area is part of a larger path called The Slot. It became famous because of many naval battles. Sailors gave it this name to describe what they saw below.

Many fights happened in these waters during the years 1942 and 1943. These battles were part of the Battle of Guadalcanal. The fighting moved through the water in many stages. It began with the Battle of Savo Island in August 1942. Later, there was the Battle of Cape Esperance in October. Other big fights happened in November 1942. These included the First and Second Naval Battles of Guadalcanal. There was also the Battle of Tassafaronga in November. Finally, Operation I-Go took place in April 1943.

Over 50 vessels sank in the Sound during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Many different types of ships were lost there. Some were large Japanese ships like the Kongō-class battlecruiser. Other ships were smaller, such as the Fubuki-class destroyer. Many Allied ships also sank in the deep water. These included heavy cruisers and light cruisers. Some were even small boats called PT boats. A few ships did not sink in deep water. They ran aground on the shore instead. For example, the Kinugawa Maru was a transport ship that beached.

History shows how these ships were lost. Some were hit by torpedoes from other boats. Others were lost to air attacks from planes. A Japanese submarine was even rammed by ships from New Zealand. One transport ship was attacked by the "Cactus Air Force." This group flew from Henderson Field. In 1944, a wreck was even used for testing. Scientists used it to test the TDR-1 Drone. This was part of a secret project for America's first guided missile.

People still remember the events that happened here. They want to honor the men who lost their lives. Every year on the anniversary of the battle, a US ship visits. The ship cruises into the waters of the Sound. It drops a wreath into the sea to show respect.

This ceremony keeps the memory of the sailors alive. The name Ironbottom Sound reminds us of the past. It is a quiet place that holds many stories from the war.

Ironbottom Sound is a specific stretch of ocean located in the Solomon Islands. It sits at the southern end of a passage known as The Slot. This area is bounded by Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and the Nggela Islands. Before the events of World War II, the area was known as Savo Sound. Today, the name Ironbottom Sound serves as a memorial to history. It describes a seabed filled with the remains of many sunken vessels.

The name comes from the intense naval actions during the Guadalcanal Campaign. This campaign lasted from 1942 through 1943. During this time, many ships and planes were lost in these waters. The concentration of wreckage is so high that sailors gave the area its descriptive name. The Sound became a graveyard for both Allied and Japanese forces.

Naval combat in the Sound occurred in several distinct stages. The fighting began with the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942. This was followed by the Battle of Cape Esperance from October 11 to 12, 1942. In November 1942, two major engagements occurred. These were the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 13 and the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on November 15. Later, the Battle of Tassafaronga took place on November 30, 1942. The final major action mentioned is Operation I-Go, which occurred between April 1 and April 16, 1943.

Many different types of vessels were lost during these battles. Over 50 vessels sank in the Sound during the Guadalcanal Campaign alone. Japanese losses included the Kongō-class battlecruiser and Fubuki-class destroyers. Allied forces also lost many ships, including heavy cruisers and light cruisers. Some losses involved smaller craft like Benson-class and Gleaves-class destroyers. Even small PT boats, which are fast patrol torpedo boats, were lost in surface combat or air attacks.

Ships were lost through many different methods of combat. Some vessels were sunk by torpedoes from other ships or aircraft. Others were lost to gunfire from enemy destroyers. Some ships did not sink in deep water but instead ran aground. For example, the Kinugawa Maru was a military transport that beached and was lost to an air attack.

One Japanese submarine was even rammed by ships from the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Some wrecks in the Sound have had unique uses after the war. In September and October 1944, a specific wreck was used for military testing. It served as a target for the TDR-1 Drone. This testing was conducted by STAG-1, which was based at North Field on the Russell Islands. This was part of a top-secret project to test America's first guided missile. This shows how the remains of the war continued to be used for technological development.

Today, the Sound is a place of solemn remembrance. Every year, on the anniversary of the battle, a United States ship cruises into the area. The crew drops a wreath into the water to commemorate the men who lost their lives.

This tradition honors the many sailors and soldiers from both sides of the conflict. The history of Ironbottom Sound remains a significant part of naval history and the geography of the Solomon Islands.