Which naval battle was significant for being the first where opposing fleets did not see each other?

The Battle of Coral Sea is significant because it was the first naval engagement in which opposing fleets fought without direct visual contact. This battle, which occurred in May 1942, relied heavily on aircraft launched from aircraft carriers to strike the enemy ships. The importance of this battle lies in the use of naval aviation and tactics that transformed naval warfare.

In the Battle of Coral Sea, the U.S. Navy and its allies sought to hinder Japanese expansion in the Pacific. The conflict marked a crucial shift in naval strategy, demonstrating how airpower could provide a strategic advantage even when the opposing ships were not in sight. This marks a departure from previous naval battles where direct sight and ship-to-ship combat were standard.

Other options involve engagements that either had visual contact or were predominantly surface battles.