 After embarking 4 @,@ 935 soldiers , mainly from the 38th Division , the transport destroyers ceased loading at 01 : 58 and prepared to depart for the return trip to the Shortlands . About this time , Makigumo , one of the screening destroyers , was suddenly wracked by a large explosion , caused by either a PT boat torpedo or a naval mine . Informed that Makigumo was immobilized , Hashimoto ordered her abandoned and scuttled ( 09 ° 15 ′ S 159 ° 47 ′ E ) . During the return trip , the Reinforcement Unit was attacked by CAF aircraft at 08 : 00 , but sustained no damage and arrived at the Shortlands without further incident at 12 : 00 on 2 February . 
