Navy Department Communique No. 168

OCTOBER 26, 1942

South Pacific (All dates are east longitude).

1. The U. S. S. Wasp (aircraft carrier) was sunk in the South Pacific on September 15th as the result of an enemy submarine attack. The Wasp remained afloat for 5 hours after being attacked and sank at a time when there were no enemy forces in the vicinity. For this reason the announcement of her loss was delayed as long as there remained a probability that the enemy was unaware of her sinking.
2. The Wasp, operating in company with a task force in the South Pacific area, was engaged in covering the movement of reinforcements and supplies into Guadalcanal when she was torpedoed at approximately 2:50 o’clock on the afternoon of September 15th.  Three torpedoes struck the Wasp in the vicinity of her magazines and gasoline tanks, resulting in many explosions and serious fires throughout the ship.
3. About 15 minutes after the torpedo hits, a heavy explosion rocked the Wasp. Other explosions followed in the vicinity of the hangar deck. The fires could not be brought under control, and, about 3 hours after the attack, it became necessary to abandon ship.
4. At about 8 p. m., when all hopes of extinguishing the flames and saving the Wasp had been abandoned, a U. S. destroyer sank her with torpedoes.
5. About 90 percent of the personnel of the Wasp were rescued. The next of kin of those lost and wounded have been notified.