"Ironbottom Sound" (alternatively Iron Bottom Sound or Ironbottomed Sound or Iron Bottom Bay) is the name given by Allied sailors to the stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there during the naval actions comprising the Battle of Guadalcanal during 1942–1943. Before the war, it was called Savo Sound. Every year on the battle's anniversary, a US ship cruises into the waters and drops a wreath to commemorate the men who lost their lives. For many Navy sailors, and those who served in the area during that time, the waters in this area are considered sacred, and strict silence is observed as ships cruise through.

Naval actions comprising the Battle of Guadalcanal

Sunken ships

Japanese

Cape Esperance, 11–12 October 1942

First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942

Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942

Tassafaronga, 30 November 1942

Other surface battles and aerial actions, 1942–1943

Allied

Savo Island, 9 August 1942

Cape Esperance, 12 October 1942

First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942

Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942

Tassafaronga, 30 November 1942

Operation I-Go (Air Raid on Tulagi), 7 April 1943

Other surface battles and aerial actions, 1942–1945