Event Brief
USS South Dakota blackout preceded Japanese shell hits
By The BriefBrief · Sources (1)
Filed: Sep 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET
Summary: On the night of 14-15 November 1942 off Guadalcanal, USS South Dakota suffered a cascading electrical failure that blacked out radar, fire control, and radios. Minutes later, Japanese shellfire repeatedly hit the ship’s superstructure, killing 40 crew members, including 12-year-old Seaman First Class Calvin Graham.
WHO: Japanese shellfire; USS South Dakota crew (including Seaman First Class Calvin Graham)
WHAT: USS South Dakota’s electrical failure led to a blackout, after which Japanese shellfire repeatedly struck her superstructure, killing 40 crew members.
WHEN: Nov 15, 1942
WHERE: Guadalcanal
WHY: The ship’s radar, fire control, and radios were blacked out by a cascading electrical failure, leaving it illuminated and repeatedly hit by Japanese shellfire.
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