I have two theories on the Yamato’s supposed hit on a destroyer as listed on the TROM.

Quote:

0651: A charging "cruiser" emerges from behind the smoke. YAMATO engages her from a distance of more than 10 miles and scores a hit with the first salvo. The target is seen burning before it is lost sight of.

At this time the only charging US ship should be the USS Johnston. Johnston did not receive any hits until 0730 as listed on her AAR. One possible theory is that the Johnston was seen emerging from a colomn of water put up by some shells and were mistakenly taken as a hit.

Now, I also question the times on the TROM. The next entry on the TROM claims:

Quote:

At 0654, destroyer HEERMANN fires three torpedoes at HARUNA. The torpedoes miss HARUNA, but head toward YAMATO whose crew spots their tracks to starboard. YAMATO turns away to port, steams northward for 10 miles until the torpedoes run out of fuel. Although the maneuver avoids the torpedoes, it puts YAMATO and the Force's commander, Vice Admiral Kurita out of the battle.

Bosamar.com claims this event occurred at 0754 not 0654. Similarly seven torpedoes were launched not three.

If we change the 0651 to 0751 then Yamato just opens up with her secondary batteries at this time, with a target of either Hoel or Heermann but at a distance of only 11500 yards or 6.5 miles. This leaves me with the conclusion that if the fire control was adjusted for a cruiser, the Yamato may well have been overshooting by miles. Around this time Hoel takes a few more hits from Kongo, so I deduce that the most likely possability is that Yamato mistook a hit on Hoel by Kongo as one of her own shells.

I only have my notes available at the moment and can flip through all my books at a slightly later time for further information.

__________________
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