While TF 17 gathered "Yorktown"s men and then cleared the area, the ship remained stubbornly afloat. When it became evident that the carrier would not sink immediately and might be saved, Admiral Fletcher ordered a salvage party put on board. Under tow by and with a salvage party on board composed of volunteers from the various ship departments, "Yorktown" appeared to be on the threshold of salvage. The arrival of , however, changed all that, and the gallant carrier was torpedoed on 6 June, along with "Hammann". The latter sank immediately; "Yorktown" lingered until the following morning when she, too, sank.