At 0125 on 13 November, a Japanese naval force was discovered about to the northwest. Rear Admiral Callaghan's task group maneuvered to intercept in what became the first engagement in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. At 0148, in almost pitch darkness, "San Francisco" opened fire on an enemy cruiser off her starboard beam. At 0151, she trained her guns on a small cruiser or large destroyer off her starboard bow. Then in an attempt to locate other targets, "San Francisco" accidentally targeted . "San Francisco"s gunfire caused extensive damage to "Atlanta", killing Admiral Scott and most of "Atlanta"s bridge crew. Belatedly, "San Francisco" realized she was firing on a "friendly" ship and ceased fire. The green dye that "San Francisco" used to distinguish her shells from those of other ships, was later found stained on "Atlanta"s superstructure before she sank. Shortly thereafter, was sighted and taken under fire, at an initial range of only .