Book Description

The career of the U.S.S. in sinking Japanese ships in the farthest reaches of the Empire is legendary in submarine circles. Now, for the first time, her full story is told by the one person most qualified to tell it - her executive officer Richard O'Kane, who went on to become WWII's leading submarine captain.Wahoo was christened in February 1941, with her mission already decreed the night of Pearl Harbor: "Conduct unrestricted submarine warfare." Her first patrols were average for a new boat, but then came Commander Dudley W. ("Mush") Morton. He cast aside bugaboos, and originated daring new submarine tactics. His credo was: "We'll go wherever the Japs are, and do whatever it takes to sink them." Morton's astonishing tactics included a successful "down the throat" attack against an attacking Japanese destroyer, and surface-running gun attacks. He also formed a rubber-boat landing and assault team known as Wahoo's Commandos. The results spoke for themselves; Wahoo soon led in sinking as she went after the Japanese with a vengeance, and Morton became known as the Navy's most aggressive and successful sea raider. Wahoo's first spectacular achievement was the sinking of a 4-ship convoy in one day: coming back into port after this exploit, she displayed a broom atop her periscope, signifying a clean sweep, while below placards proclaimed Wahoo's motto - "Shoot the Sons of Bitches."Through the eyes of her executive officer, we become members of the sub's crew: standing watches, readying the torpedoes, coaxing more speed, tracking ships with the scope, playing cribbage. The general alarm calls all hands to battle stations. Then the deadly duel between enemy and submarine begins: in the conning tower, angles and bearings are called, the order is given - Mark! Set! Fire!, and with a shudder, each torpedo is on its way. With the whack of the torpedo detonations, the escort heads down the torpedo wakes, and Wahoo goes deep rigging for depth charge and silent running.After many daring missions, Wahoo's brilliant career was cut short. O'Kane, through extensive research and assistance from the Japanese, has written her final, fatal patrol, with its heart-rending revelations. So, of all 37 American submarines lost without survivors, only Wahoo's story is finally complete.