Portfolio - USS Wahoo

USS Wahoo

The USS Wahoo was a United States Navy submarine that served during World War II and became one of the most notable boats of the conflict. She completed several successful patrols in the Pacific, earning a strong reputation for effectiveness in combat operations against enemy shipping. However, during her final patrol in 1943, Wahoo was lost in the Sea of Japan after being detected and engaged by Japanese forces.

On October 11, 1943, USS Wahoo was operating in the La Pérouse Strait when she was attacked by a combination of aircraft and escort vessels. Japanese aircraft conducted repeated bombing runs, using depth charges and anti-submarine ordnance to target the submarine as she attempted to evade detection. One or more of these attacks inflicted catastrophic damage, compromising the hull and preventing recovery or escape. Wahoo was ultimately destroyed with all hands lost, and the exact sequence of events has been pieced together from postwar Japanese records and later historical analysis of the engagement area.

Following historical research and interpretation of the wreck site, Rich was commissioned by the Morro Bay Maritime Museum to create a detailed scale model of the USS Wahoo as she rests on the seabed today. The project focuses on accurately depicting the damaged structure of the submarine as it exists in its sunken condition, while intentionally excluding the coral growth, marine encrustation, and biological buildup that now obscure much of the wreck’s finer detail. This approach allows viewers to clearly understand the nature and extent of the wartime damage while still representing the vessel in its final resting state on the ocean floor.

USS Wahoo Submarine

Here is an overhead view of the damaged section of the USS Wahoo, showing how the explosion tore through the hull and deck and illustrating the extent of the structural damage.

Close-up of a damaged section on a USS Wahoo scale model, showing torn hull plating and exposed internal structure from an explosion effect.

Here Rich has done an exceptional job modeling the bomb-damaged hull of the USS Wahoo, carefully depicting the structural damage and weathering consistent with the vessel’s final condition.

Close-up of the stern of a scale model of the USS Wahoo resting on a simulated ocean floor, showing twin propellers, rudder, and protective stern framework with weathered detailing.

Here we get a view of the stern of the USS Wahoo as she rests on the seabed following the explosion that sank her, capturing the final condition of the vessel at its underwater resting place.

Top view of USS Wahoo submarine model showing conning tower and deck planking with weathered finish

The conning tower and deck of the USS Wahoo, highlighting the submarine’s command structure and surface detailing characteristic of World War II-era naval design.

Close up of USS Wahoo submarine model conning tower with weathered surface and fittings

Here we have a close-up profile view of the conning tower, showing the surrounding railing and ladder rungs, and highlighting the fine structural detailing of the USS Wahoo model.