	On 18 August 1944, east of Samar, "Natori" was accompanying the transport "T.3" to Palau when they were spotted by the submarine east of San Bernardino Strait. "Hardhead" identified the target as a battleship and closed for a surface attack. One torpedo of its first salvo of five Mark 23 torpedoes fired at hit "Natori" portside in a boiler room. She stopped dead in the water and was hit starboard amidships with one of a second salvo of four Mark 18 torpedoes.