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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Ray (SS-271) (SSR-271)

Radio Call Sign: November - Whiskey - Foxtrot - Bravo
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 20 July 1942, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 28 February 1943; Commissioned USS Ray (SS-271), 27 July 1943; Decommissioned, 12 February 1947, at New London, CT.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, New London Group; Towed to Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA. for conversion to a Radar Picket Submarine; Redesignated (SSR-271), 3 January 1951; Recommissioned, USS Ray (SSR-271), 13 August 1952; Decommissioned, 30 September 1958 at Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, SC; Struck from the Naval Register, 1 August 1960; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 18 December 1960, to Commercial Metals Co. Ray was awarded the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation and received 7 battle stars for World War II service.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, 5,400HP, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gal., four General Electric main motors, 2,740HP, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin propellers.
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Pogy & Ray96kPogy (SS-266) on the Manitowoc River fitting out, 26 July 1942. On the blocks alongside Pogy is section H of Ray (SS-271). The white tubes sticking way up in the air above Pogy are wind socks to direct cool-fresh air down into the sub for cooler conditions during the July heat.
Editors Note: There are over 200 images submitted on these pages covering the following submarines that were constructed at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI,: SS-265 through SS-274, and SS-361 through SS-380.
None of them would have seen the light of day if it were not for the efforts of Curator, Asst. Director, Bill Thiesen of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Larry Bohn, who sent them to NavSource for publication.
A special debt of gratitude is owed to these two men and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245) for allowing these photographs to be seen by the lovers of naval history worldwide.
Ray31kRay (SS-271) wrapped with bunting on the bow on the morning of her launch at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Ray45kRay (SS-271) about to be side launched at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Manitowoc55k Watercolor print by the artist Tom Denton of the side launching of a Manitowoc built boat. Courtesy of submarineart.com
Ray42kRay (SS-271) waterborne at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Ray14kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Ray's (SS-271) launching, 28 February 1943.Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Ray26kRay (SS-271) starboard view, undergoing sea trials in Lake Michigan shortly after her launch at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Ray23kRay (SS-271) starboard view, undergoing sea trials in Lake Michigan shortly after her launch at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Ray179kRay (SS-271) undergoing sea trials in Lake Michigan shortly after her launch at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Ray487kRay (SS-271) undergoing sea trials in Lake Michigan shortly after her launch at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Photo added 03/27/11.
Ray51kPlankowner officers and crew appear in this photo of the Ray (SS-271) at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Harry Berns485kPhoto of Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
The photo of the Golet (SS-361) encased in snow appears on the wall above him on the upper right.
His obituary appears here. 		Photo courtesy of Susan Menk, Archives Assistant, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Dee Anna Grimsrud,Reference Archivist, Wisconsin Historical Society, Steve Khail, CBC, Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. & William Young.
Ray43k Plankowner officers of the Ray (SS-271) appear in this photo at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 28 February 1943.Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Ray45kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Ray's (SS-271) commissioning, 27 July 1943.Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Ray62kRay (SS-271) underway, circa 1943-45.US Navy Photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
MINSY 306k This is a Safety Department photo showing the temporary staging used on submarines during their overhauls at the yard. The submarines are Greenling (SS-213) and Raton (SS-270). View looking forward.
Text on photos reads:"Good housekeeping and safety gear aboard subs. Walkways provide access to all portions of the boat." Photo taken on 22 Feb. 1945. 		US Navy Photo # MINSY 1371-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
MINSY 319k This is a Safety Department photo showing the temporary staging used on submarines during their overhauls at the yard. The submarines are Greenling (SS-213) and Raton (SS-270). View looking aft.
Text on photos reads:"Good housekeeping and safety gear aboard subs. Walkways provide access to all portions of the boat." Photo taken on 22 Feb. 1945. 		US Navy Photo # MINSY 1375-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Tambor 201k Forward plan view of Tambor (SS-198) at Mare Island on 24 Feb 1945. Shipyard records indicate that Ray (SS-271) and Greenling (SS-213) were berthed immediately aft of Tambor and behind these two boats were Cero (SS-225) and Raton (SS-270).
US Navy Photo # 1398-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Ray177kRay (SS-271) 9 March 1945, at Mare Island. Official USN photo # 1736-45, courtesy of David Buell.
Ray166kBow on view of Ray (SS-271) off Mare Island on 9 March 1945. U.S. Navy Photo # 1732-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Ray212kBroadside view of Ray (SS-271) off Mare Island on 9 March 1945. She was in overhaul at Mare Island from 17 Dec 44 to 19 Mar 1945. U.S. Navy Photo # 1734-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Ray311k Stern view of Ray (SS-271) departing Mare Island on 9 March 1945. Muskallunge (SS-262) can be seen forward of Ray. U.S. Navy Photo # 1737-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Raton310kForward plan view of Raton (SS-270) at Mare Island on 12 March 1945. The stern of the Ray (SS-271) is in the background.
U.S. Navy Photo # 1791-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Ray64kConning tower of the Ray (SS-271) in 1945.Photo from the collection of Arthur Laughrun, submitted by Jerry Laughrun.
U-boats51kU-505 with the Ray (SS-271) at New London, Conn., on 5 October 1945.Photo from the collection of Arthur Laughrun, submitted by Jerry Laughrun.
U-boats32kBow on view of the U-505 with the Ray (SS-271) at New London, Conn., on 5 October 1945.Photo from the collection of Arthur Laughrun, submitted by Jerry Laughrun.
Ray202kCirca 1945 photo of the Ray (SS-271) underway.
USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
Ray96k"Naval engineers and shipyard workers at the PNS met the problem of installing a large amount of new electronic equipment in a submarine with typical Yankee ingenuity.
Instead of jamming the gear into the subs Ray (SS-271) & Redfin (SS-272), already snugly packed, like all subs-they cut the subs in two and inserted a prefabricated section.
The round the sub cut was made with acetylene burners. It was done just a little forward of amidships. The inserted section was 30 feet long, making the sub's length 342 feet.
Four other Fleet-type subs are scheduled for the same operation. The six boats will be "an entirely new type of underseas weapon"-all that can be disclosed at the present".		Submitted by Stan Svec from the October 1951 issue of All Hands Magazine.
Ray212kRay (SSR-271) bows on view in Philadelphia, Pa. Naval Shipyard, 26 Sept, 1952.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
Ray79kRay (SSR-271) broadside view in Philadelphia, Pa. Naval Shipyard, 26 Sept, 1952.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
Ray58kThis photo of the Ray (SS-271) underway, was probably taken shortly after her conversion to a Migraine III radar picket in late 1952. The bridge lacks the "wings" seen in later photos that were added to increase visibility aft while maneuvering alongside the pier. The YE-3 aircraft homing beacon that is installed on a mast on the aft deck was removed not long after she was returned to service in favor of the new TACAN system. A close look at the photo shows what appears to be an attempt at censoring. This would explain the lack of antennae on the BPS-2 on the sail, the BPS-3 on the deck, and the YE-3 at the same time. Text courtesy of David Johnston, (USNR). US Navy Photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Ray56kRay (SS-271) & Redfin (SS-272), 1957 at Lorient France.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
Ray246kOil on canvas painting by the artist Wayne Scarpaci entitled "On watch", showing the Ray (SSR-271) as a Radar Picket in 1957. Photo and text courtesy of artbywayne.com.
View the Ray (SS/SSR-271)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
Manitowoc Built Submarines
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