USS Wahoo (SS-238) Ship's Log 



Report a Historic Event
YearDateHistorical Events
1941Jun 28Keel laid down by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.
1942Feb 14Launched.
 May 15Commissioned with LCDR. Marvin Granville Kennedy in command.
 Aug 12Following fitting out and initial training along the California coast, which took her as far South as San Diego, CA., Wahoo departed the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. for Hawaii.
 Aug 18Wahoo arrived at Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Aug 23Wahoo departed on her 1st war patrol, seeking Japanese shipping in waters West of Truk, particularly in the area between the Hall Islands and the Namonuito Atoll.
 Sep 6Wahoo fired 3 torpedoes at her 1st target, a lone freighter; all torpedoes missed because the ship turned toward Wahoo, apparently with the intent to ram. The submarine dodged, fearful of counterattack from the air.
 Sep 20Wahoo sank a 6,400 ton freighter South of Namonuito Atoll, but postwar analysis of Japanese shipping records showed no sinking at this time or place.
 Oct 17Wahoo arrived at Hawaii from her 1st war patrol.
 Nov 2Wahoo's overhaul at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hi. was completed after havig a 4" gun and two 20 millimeter guns installed.
 Nov 8Wahoo got underway for her 2nd war patrol with LCDR. Dudley Walker "Mush" Morton also aboard for his prospective commanding officer (PCO) patrol.
 Dec 10Wahoo sank the tanker Kamoi Maru.
 Dec 14Wahoo fired a spread of 3 torpedoes at the Japanese submarine I-2.The boat went down with personnel still on the bridge. In postwar records, however, Wahoo was not credited with this sinking.
 Dec 26Wahoo returned to Brisbane, Australia.
 Dec 31LCDR. Marvin Granville Kennedy was relieved as Commanding Officer by LCDR. D. W. Morton.
1943Jan 15Wahoo began her 3rd war patrol with her escort , USS Patterson (DD-392).
 Jan 24Wahoo hit a destroyer with a torpedo. Morton was certain that the destroyer sank. However, he was not credited with a kill.
 Jan 26Morton drafted a triumphant report for Pearl Harbor "In ten hour running gun and torpedo battle, destroyed entire convoy of 2 freighters, 1 transport and 1 tanker . . . all torpedoes expended."
 Feb 7Wahoo arrived at Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Feb 23Wahoo departed for Midway Island, on her 4th war patrol.
 Mar 4Wahoo sank the tanker Takaosan Maru.
 Mar 19Wahoo sank the freighter Zogen Maru and damaged the freighter Kowa Maru.
 Mar 21Wahoo sank the freighter Hozen Maw and the freighter Nittsu Maru.
 Mar 23Wahoo sank the collier Katyosan Maru.
 Mar 25Wahoo sank the freighter Satsuki Maru with gunfire.
 Mar 26Wahoo sank a small diesel driven freighter with gunfire.
 Mar 27Wahoo sank the freighter Yamabato Maru.
 Apr 6Wahoo arrived at the Submarine Base, Midway Island and commenced refit the following day.
 Apr 25Wahoo began her 5th war patrol.
 May 4Wahoo damaged the seaplane tender Kamikawa Maru.
 May 7Wahoo sank the 5,260 ton ship Tamon Maru.
 May 9Wahoo sank a large tanker and a freighter, the Takao Maru, 3,200 tons and Jinmu Maru, 1,200 tons.
 May 21Wahoo arrived at Pearl Harbor, HI.
 May 22Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet, came on board and made presentations of awards. A gold star, in lieu of a second Navy Cross, was presented to CDR. Dudley W. Morton.
 May 23Wahoo departed Hawaii for overhaul at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.
 May 29Wahoo arrived at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.
 Jul 21Wahoo departed for Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Jul 27Wahoo arrived at Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Aug 2Wahoo departed for her 6th war patrol.
 Aug 6Wahoo arrived at Midway Island and left the same day.
 Aug 25Wahoo arrived at Midway Island and left immediately for Pearl Harbor, HI.
 Sep 9Wahoo departed Pearl Harbor, HI. on her 7th and final war patrol.
 Sep 13Wahoo topped off with fuel at Midway Island, and headed for La Perouse Strait.
 Oct 11Sunk near the La Perouse Strait near Northern Japan, 11 Oct 1943 80 men lost