Changes

Following the attack, Barnett returned to “Red Beach” and continued unloading operations into the night. During the mid watch on 9 August, the transport’s sailors observed heavy gunfire to the northwest at 0148. Flares, tracers, and parachute flares also lit up the night sky to the northeast. The troopship and the other cargo carriers of Transport Group “X-Ray” ceased discharging cargo and got underway in case they needed to clear the area. The night combat seen to the north, the disastrous Battle of Savo Island, resulted in the loss of three U.S. heavy cruisers and one Australian. Providentially, the Japanese withdrew toward Rabaul without continuing on to sink the defenseless transports.

Following the attack, Barnett returned to “Red Beach” and continued unloading operations into the night. During the mid watch on 9 August, the transport’s sailors observed heavy gunfire to the northwest at 0148. Flares, tracers, and parachute flares also lit up the night sky to the northeast. The troopship and the other cargo carriers of Transport Group “X-Ray” ceased discharging cargo and got underway in case they needed to clear the area. The night combat seen to the north, the disastrous [[Battle of Savo Island]], resulted in the loss of three U.S. heavy cruisers and one Australian. Providentially, the Japanese withdrew toward Rabaul without continuing on to sink the defenseless transports.