Nyorai kupfuurira kweiyi ndima - "James E. Craig" akabva Espiritu Santo musi wa 13 February pamwe chete nedzimwe ngarava nhatu dzaiperekedza uye ngarava nomwe dzokutengesa dzakananga kuGuadalcanal. Paakasvika musi wa16, akatanga kufamba achirwisa ngarava dzepasi pemvura pedyo neLunga Point. Akaenda kuEspiritu Santo musi wa 23 February, achiperekedza ngarava mbiri dzevatengesi uye akaenderera mberi nebasa rake rokuperekedza pakati peGuadalcanal neEspiritu Santo kwemavhiki akawanda. Musi wa15 March, akaendesa ngarava iyi kubva kuEspiritu Santo kuenda kunosangana neTask Force 36, iyo yaiita mabasa kurwisa Kavieng, New Ireland, uye Emirau Island.
, "chinhu chokupedzisira chinobatanidza muchechi yakapoteredza Rabaul". Kuzadzazve mafuta kwakapedzwa musi wa25, "James E. Craig" uye "Cacapon" vakabatana nedzimwe ngarava dzaiperekedza uye dzinotakura mafuta ndokudzokera kuEspirito Santo.