HomeMilitaryThe 2019 R/V Petrel Wreck Location of IJN Hiei

The 2019 R/V Petrel Wreck Location of IJN Hiei

Military

A research team aboard the research vessel (R/V) Petrel—funded by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen—discovered the wreck of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) battleship Hiei resting upside down on the seafloor approximately 2,952 feet below the surface in the Solomon Islands chain, northwest of Savo Island. The discovery occurred more than 76 years after the warship sank during the Battle of Guadalcanal in November 1942.

1. Tactical Incident Breakdown

Japanese Imperial Navy Ship Hiei. US Naval History and Heritage Command photo.
  • Date of Sinking: November 14, 1942 (Night following the November 13 engagement)
  • Location: Northwest of Savo Island, Solomon Islands chain (~2,952 feet depth, resting upside down)
  • Vessel Type: Imperial Japanese Navy Battleship (Hiei)
  • Significance: The first Japanese battleship sunk by the U.S. Navy during World War II.
  • Exploration Team: Research Vessel (R/V) Petrel (Founded by Paul Allen)
  • Casualties: 188 crew members killed in action during the sinking.

2. Sequence of Events & Battle Dynamics

Japanese Imperial Navy Ship Hiei after discovery by crew of R/V Petrel
[Guadalcanal Night Action (Nov 13, 1942)] ──► [Point-Blank Duel with USS Laffey & San Francisco] ──► [Daybreak Air Attacks by Enterprise & B-17s] ──► [Crew Evacuation by Destroyers] ──► [Sinking Under Cover of Night]
  • The Night Engagement: On November 13 and 14, 1942, Hiei participated in a Japanese task force engaging U.S. Navy warships led by Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan aboard the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38).
  • Close-Range Firefight: During the chaotic night battle, Hiei nearly collided with the U.S. destroyer USS Laffey (DD-459), with both ships exchanging gunfire as they passed within 20 feet of each other (Laffey was subsequently sunk in the action).
  • Critical Superstructure Damage: Hiei sustained severe salvos from San Francisco. This return fire severely damaged San Francisco, killing Rear Admiral Callaghan, his staff, and ship commanding officer Captain Cassin Young.
  • Daylight Air Assaults: By daybreak, Hiei was located 30 miles northeast of Savo Island with forward turrets smoking and aft turrets dangling, escorted by a light cruiser and four destroyers. Multiple U.S. aircraft launched from USS Enterprise (CV-6)—including TBF Avenger torpedo-bombers, SBD Dauntless dive bombers, and F4F Wildcat fighters—alongside a B-17 flying from Espiritu Santo that dropped a 500-pound bomb onto the battleship.
  • Final Sinking: Last sighted by U.S. forces at 6:00 PM about five miles northwest of Savo while offloading crew to three nearby Japanese destroyers, Hiei sank during the night.

3. Technical Summary Data

Key ParameterDetails
Vessel:IJN Battleship Hiei
Wreck Status:Lying upside down at ~2,952 feet depth northwest of Savo Island
Operational Context:Naval surface engagement during the Battle of Guadalcanal (Nov 13–14, 1942)
Historical Legacy:First Japanese capital ship of its class lost to U.S. forces in WWII; discovered decades later by Paul Allen’s R/V Petrel team.