"roberts" had moved so close that the enemy guns could not depress enough to hit her and the shells simply passed overhead. many hit the carrier . once within torpedo range, she launched her three mark 15 torpedoes. one blew off "chōkai"s stern. the american sailors cheered, "that a way, whitey, we hit 'em," as if it were a ballgame, as shells were still incoming. "roberts" then fought with the japanese ships for a further hour, firing more than six hundred shells, and while maneuvering at very close range, mauling "chōkai"s superstructure with her and anti-aircraft guns. at 08:51, the japanese landed two hits, the second of which damaged the aft gun. this damaged gun suffered a breech explosion shortly thereafter which killed and wounded several crew members. with her remaining gun, "roberts" set the bridge of the heavy cruiser on fire and destroyed the number three gun turret, before being hit by three shells from the battleship . the shells tore a hole long and wide in the port side of her aft engine room.