On the night of December 15, a US Navy supply ship, "William Ward Burrows", arrived at dusk to drop off supplies destined for Marines stranded on Wake, and to retrieve civilian contractors and return to Pearl Harbor. Crew members of "Burrows" and Marines on Johnston spotted a flash at sea. The first bracket of shells landed on Johnston and at least one hit the powerhouse, causing a fire that engulfed the building. The Marines returned fire for ten minutes until the submarine ceased firing.