Large number of Japanese warships sighted near Louisade Archipelago according to the U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee Daily summary dated 9 May 1942

An item reported that on 6-7 May a large number of Japanese warships was seen in the vicinity of the Louisade Archipelago (east of the southeast end of New Guinea) including aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, seaplane tenders, submarines and a large number of transports or supply tender. American US Army aircraft attacked three times the Japanese force hitting one ship directly and near misses on 5 others.

Source

Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 150 dated 9 May 1942