The contact was made by radar at about 22:25. "Saury" set a course to intercept the targets, two large warships and a destroyer. At 03:03 on 31 July, "Saury" submerged. At 03:25, she turned to attack; losing, regaining, losing, and then regaining depth control. By then, the targets had passed firing bearing. A few seconds later, at 03:38, the sound operator reported a bearing of 180 degrees relative. Almost simultaneously, the periscope revealed a destroyer with a zero degree angle on the bow. The commanding officer ordered "Saury" deep. A few seconds later, two jolts shook "Saury". She took on a five-degree list to port. She continued to go deeper, then retired to the east. No depth charges were heard. "Saury" remained at 175 to all day. At 20:20, she surfaced. Her periscope shears were bent 30 degrees from the vertical to starboard. All equipment mounted therein was damaged. Both periscopes and both radars were out of commission. "Saury" had been blinded.