Battle of the Bismarck Sea
was the second of twenty-four destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War. "Shirayuki" was sunk in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea on 3 March 1943 while under attack by American and Australian aircraft.