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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch by Y.M.Umar, CPO (Ret.), Turkish Navy

Razorback (SS-394)
Turkish Service - Return to U.S.

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - November - Xray
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Keel Laying - U.S. Service

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 9 September 1943, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.; Launched, 27 January 1944; Commissioned USS Razorback (SS-394), 3 April 1944; She was one of twelve United States submarines present in Tokyo Bay during the Surrender Ceremony on 2 September 1945. In August 1952, Razorback Decommissioned to undergo Guppy IIA modifications. Re-commissioned in January 1952, she underwent shakedown and post overhaul training at New London, CT. On 24 May 1954, Razorback reported for duty at San Diego, CA. Under terms of the Security Assistance Program, she again Decommissioned on 30 November 1970 at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco, CA; struck from the Naval Vessel Registry and was transferred (sale) to the Republic of Turkey.
Concurrently, the ex-Razorback was Commissioned as TCG Muratreis (S-336) of the Turkish Navy. In 1974, Muratreis (S-336) departed the Golcuk Navy Yard, Turkey under combat conditions as a participant in the "Cyprus Peace Operations".
Decommissioned from the Turkish Navy on 8 August 2001, she was laid up at Golcuk awaiting final disposition. Through the efforts of various veteran and civic organizations, the veteran submarine was purchased from the Turkish Government for the scrap price of $37,500. After receiving seaworthiness overhaul at a shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey, the ex-Razorback again put to sea (under tow) on 5 May 2004. After departure, she made port calls in Gibraltar and Key West, FL and arrived at her final berth at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, North Little Rock, AR on 16 July 2004. Since July 2005, ex-Razorback/ex-Muratreis has been open to the public.
Razorback received five battle stars for World War II service, and four stars for Vietnam service.
Researched by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Ret.) for NavSource.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced 1,526 t., Submerged 2,391 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2 kts; Operating Depth, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one single 40mm gun mount, one single 20mm gun mount, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear, four Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, 5,400 HP, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gal., four Elliot Motor Co. electric main motors with 2,740 shp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
TCG Muratreis (S-336)
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Sea Fox 92k The ex-Razorback (SS-394) as the Muratreis (S-336) is the second boat on the left, middle boat is the Cerbe (S-340), ex-Trutta (SS-421), the ex-Sea Fox (SS-402) as the Burak Reis (S-335) (2nd from right), with other Turkish subs; one of which is the ex-Tang (SS-563) as the Pirireis (S-343) and the other as ex-Gudgeon (SSAG-567), now the Hizirreis (S-342).Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Razorback 116k The Muratreis (S-336) with crew in dress whites pose for a group photo. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Razorback 98k The Muratreis (S-336) glides against the backdrop of the mountains.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Razorback 136k The bow of the Muratreis (S-336), rises above all else.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Razorback 114k The Muratreis (S-336) waiting to go to voyage USA, 22 Nov 2002. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy. Photo added 07/21/09.
Razorback 346k Razorback (SS-394), is heading home. Courtesy Naval Affairs Journal, Jan. 2003.
Razorback 87k Possible ticket to the decommissioning ceremony of the Muratreis (S-336), 24 March 2004.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Razorback 166k Members of the Press show their credentials for the transfer ceremony, 25 March 2004. The sail of the ex- Cerbe (S-340) is in the background. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy. Photo added 07/21/09.
Razorback 191k And the band played on. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy. Photo added 07/21/09.
Razorback 168k The star of the day shines through a partly cloudy sky. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy. Photo added 07/21/09.
Razorback 113k Wearing a red ribbon and escorted by a helicopter, this last operational WWII submarine is being brought to North Little Rock, Ark., by a group of submarine veterans and local authorities to serve as a museum. Partial text courtesy of news.navy.mil. Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Ret),Turkish Navy. Photo added 07/21/09.
Razorback 247k Razorback (SS-394) undertow during her journey from Istanbul, Turkey to North Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo submitted by John Hummel, courtesy northlr.org/maritime-museum.
Razorback 167k Starboard view of the Razorback (SS-394), undertow during her journey from Istanbul, Turkey to North Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo submitted by John Hummel, courtesy northlr.org/maritime-museum.
Razorback 129k Starboard view of the Razorback (SS-394), undertow during her journey from Istanbul, Turkey to North Little Rock, Arkansas. Photo submitted by John Hummel, courtesy northlr.org/maritime-museum.
Razorback 105k Assisted by a tug nudging her towards the dock, the Razorback (SS-394), proceeds to tie up. Photo submitted by John Hummel, courtesy northlr.org/maritime-museum.
Razorback 59k Razorback (SS-394), tieing up to wharf. Photo submitted by John Hummel, courtesy northlr.org/maritime-museum.
Razorback 243k From the Pensacola News Journal - Monday, June 14, 2004.
"World War II submarine making stops along coast."
Associated Press KEY WEST -Navy veterans and local dignitaries celebrated the arrival of a World War II-era submarine as the Razorback (SS-394) made its first U.S. stop in the Florida Keys on Sunday en route to its new home on the banks of the Arkansas River.
The city of North Little Rock, Ark., acquired the submarine from Turkey in March after the Turkish Navy, which purchased the sub from U.S. Navy in 1970, decommissioned it.
John Ranguette of Fort Myers served on the Razorback from 1960 to 1962 and was on hand at Key West to welcome her home.
"She looks beat up, but she sure looks beautiful to us," Ranguette said after touring the Razorback . "She has some rust and so forth, but I know that will be taken care of.
The Razorback will be towed into the Gulf of Mexico today and is scheduled to arrive in New Orleans on Saturday. The submarine should arrive at its permanent home in North Little Rock in late July where it will become a tourist attraction as part of a inland maritime museum.
Gene Haley, who served on the Razorback from 1945 to 1948, planned to accompany the ship. The former quartermaster from Ogunquit, Maine, will serve as navigator during the Razorback final sea voyage.
North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays joked about his expanding job responsibilities brought by the submarine. "I never felt like bringing a submarine from Turkey would be part of my job description," he said. Hays also plans to attend celebrations marking the Razorback 's arrival in New Orleans. 		Photo & text courtesy of Joe Radigan.
Razorback 70k A chilly day in Arkansas. Razorback (SS-394) with a light dusting of the Christmas snow, 2004. Submitted by Joe Radigan. Photo & text courtesy of (CNLR Mayor's Office).
View the Razorback (SS-394)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ

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