"Yamato" opened fire at 0659 at an estimated range of 34,544 yards, targeting "White Plains" with her first four salvoes. "Yamato"s third salvo was a close straddle landing at 07:04. One shell from this salvo exploded beneath the turn of "White Plains" port bilge near frame 142, near her aft (starboard) engine room. While the ship was not struck directly, the mining effect of the under-keel explosion severely damaged her hull, deranged her starboard machinery and tripped all of the circuit breakers in her electrical network. Prompt and effective damage control restored power and communications within three minutes and she was able to remain in formation by overspeeding her port engine to compensate. The black smoke resulting from the sudden loss of boiler intake air pressure convinced "Yamato" and "Nagato" (which was also firing her main battery at "White Plains" at the time) that they had scored a direct hit and they shifted fire to other targets. For the next two and one-half hours, the Japanese force chased "Taffy 3" southward and subjected the escort carriers and their counterattacking screen to a heavy-caliber cannonade. The aircraft carriers' warplanes fought back, even making dummy runs on the Japanese ships to slow the ships' speed of advance after expending all their bombs, torpedoes, and ammunition. During their counterattacks, , , and were sunk by gunfire. Later, was sunk by gunfire as well, while , , , and suffered heavy damage.