The turbines were designed to produce 38,500 shaft horsepower (28,700 kW), which would propel the ships at 37.3 knots (69.1 km/h; 42.9 mph).

[5] Hayate, built at the Ishikawajima Shipyards in Tokyo, was laid down on 11 November 1922, launched on 24 March 1925 and completed on 21 December 1925.

After the Japanese ships had closed to a range of 4,100 meters (4,500 yd), he ordered his guns to open fire.

Battery L, based on Peale Islet, engaged their closest target, Hayate, and hit her on the third salvo.

[8] After a large explosion aft, she broke in half and sank within two minutes at coordinates 19°16′N 166°37′E / 19.267°N 166.617°E / 19.267; 166.617, two miles (3 km) southwest of Wake.

The location of the explosion makes it probable that the shells struck one of the aft torpedo mounts, or, less likely, the depth charges on the stern.

The quick loss of Hayate and the near misses around his flagship, Yūbari, caused Kajioka to order his forces to disengage.