Duncan's crew, however, thinking that Farenholt and Laffey were commencing an attack on the Japanese warships, increased speed to launch a solitary torpedo attack on Gotō's force without telling Scott what they were doing.
Besætningen på Duncan, som troede at Farenholt og Laffey var i gang med at indlede et angreb på de japanske skibe, øgede farten for at indlede et torpedoangreb på Gotōs styrke uden at fortælle Scott hvad de foretog sig.