Original sentence: However, in a furious night battle, the American ships managed to turn the Japanese back, sinking Kirishima and a destroyer, though at the cost of three destroyers and heavy damage to South Dakota.It was actually composed of the battleship , the heavy cruisers  and , two light cruisers and nine destroyers; they were planning on a night bombardment of American troops on Guadalcanal.Lee, in Washington, along with  and four destroyers, intercepted the Japanese force that night.One of the forces sighted reportedly centered around two battleships
Edited sentence: All of the capital ships struck before dawn on 8 December; the aircraft carriers struck again soon after.By late January, she was made part of TG 50.1 to escort the fast carriers in that group as they launched strikes on Taroa and Kwajalein.Departing in late November, Washington steamed to first Makin to provide protection for ships there, then Ocean Island to prepare to bombard Nauru with her sister North Carolina, all four South Dakota-class battleships, and the carriers  and.From August to the end of October, Washington operated out of Efate.However, in a furious night battle, the American ships managed to turn the Japanese back, sinking Kirishima and a destroyer, though at the cost of three destroyers sunk and heavy damage to South Dakota.It was actually composed of the fast battleship , the heavy cruisers  and , two light cruisers and nine destroyers; they were planning to bombard American troops on Guadalcanal while night gave them protection from aircraft.Lee, with Washington, , and four destroyers, intercepted the Japanese force that night.On Christmas, Washington, North Carolina, and four destroyers left Efate for gunnery practice.One of the forces was reportedly centered around two battleships.Returning to Pearl, she practiced for battle and underwent an overhaul before returning to the combat zone in late July.She also moved in to hit Kwajalein with her guns on 30 January.She then joined with four battleships and six destroyers as Task Group (TG) 53.2 for exercises; Enterprise,  and  also participated.TG 52.2 then voyaged to the Gilbert Islands to add additional firepower to the strikes currently hitting them.The ships then sailed back to Efate, arriving on 12 December.Until April 1943, Washington stayed close to her base in New Caledonia, providing protection for convoys and battle groups that were supporting the Solomons campaign.Washington suffered no damage