The Honda Point disaster took place in a dense fog where nine destroyers of the U.S. Navy's Destroyer Squadron 11 were attempting to navigate the coastal waters of California. As they approached Honda Point, a notorious area for its deceivingly shallow depths, visibility plummeted, leading to significant navigational challenges. The commanding officers of the ships had difficulty gauging their position and mistakenly believed they were in deeper waters. Tragically, as the ships entered the dangerously shallow region, they collided with the seabed, resulting in an extraordinary maritime mishap.

Of the nine destroyers that ran aground, seven were lost, including the USS Delphy, USS S.P. Lee, USS Worden, USS Nicholas, USS Tattnall, USS Talbot, and USS Young. The crew faced desperate circumstances as many of the ships were irreparably damaged. In total, twenty-three sailors lost their lives due to the grounding, and many others were injured, illustrating the severe consequences of navigational errors during military maneuvers.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Navy undertook rigorous analyses to determine the causes of the disaster. Their investigations revealed significant deficiencies in navigational practices and highlighted the necessity for better training and updated nautical charts. Ultimately, the Honda Point disaster served as a pivotal moment in naval history, prompting reforms to improve maritime safety and operations. The lessons learned from this incident continue to influence naval training and navigation standards today.