Morton's plan worked, up to a point. She surfaced and the convoy scattered, but before Morton could have the deck gun manned a Japanese destroyer escort charged out of a rain squall onto the scene, forcing "Wahoo" to run for it. The submarine had no option but to retreat since she had previously expended all torpedoes. After coming into firing range and opening fire on "Wahoo", forcing her under, the persistent destroyer escort dropped six depth charges, none close. It was on this occasion that Morton transmitted the famous message: "Another running gun battle today. Destroyer gunning, "Wahoo" running".