The saga to get the USS Razorback SS-394 submarine back home sounds almost like a fiction story, except this one’s true.
Following 26 years serving the US Navy, USS Razorback was transferred to the Turkish navy in November, 1970 and given a new name, Murat Reis. For another 21 years she faithfully served in the Turkish navy and was finally decommissioned in late 1991. At that point it was just assumed that the long obsolete World War II era submarine had been turned into scrap metal.
But a chance sighting of a portrait of the sub, some reminiscing by a group of Subvets, and “dreams", fueled a search that not only found the sub intact but also determined that the Turks would be willing to sell her.
One thing led to another and after a lot of hard work behind the scenes by a great number of committed Subvets and Arkansas politicians, Mayor Patrick Hays of North Little Rock flew to Turkey and “got the keys” to the Murat Reis.
She is back home now and is undergoing some refurbishing with fresh coats of paint and other minor repairs. She will soon be permanently on display for the public to board and explore as part of the new Maritime Museum
I recently walked down to the Riverfront Park and took a look at the submiarine and I was immediately impressed with just how large the Razorback is. Just to give you an idea of her size, her two propellers have been removed and they are currently on display in the Park. Each one is 60 inches across, weighs 5,500 pounds, and is made of solid brass.
There are wonderful stories told by the men who served on this submarine and life lessons learned every time I read one of them. I am proud of those who served, proud of this submarine and the part it played in our history, and proud that she’s home, here in Little Rock. Plan to come and see her, to descend into the ship and stand where brave men stood as they spent days underwater in cramped quarters. It’s real history on a real submarine and an experience that you don’t want to miss. I know I can hardly wait! - David
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Some USS Razorback (SS-394) Facts:
Displaces 1,870 tons when surfaced, 2,391 tons submerged
Beam is 27 feet at the bow and 20.25 feet at the stern
Total deck length is 400 feet
Crew consisted of 6 Officers and 60 Enlisted men
Keel laid by the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, on September 9, 1943
Launched January 27, 1944
Commissioned April 3. 1944 with LCmdr. Albert M. Bontier in command
After shakedown off New England, USS RAZORBACK sailed to Pearl Harbor
First War Patrol began August 25, 1944 and was conducted east of Luzon
Sailed to Midway on October 19, 1944
Began second war patrol on November 15, 1994 in company with USS TREPANG (SS-412) and USS SEGUNDO (SS-398) in the Luzon Straits. Razorback damaged 6,933 ton freighter on December 6, sank an 820 ton Destroyer and damaged another freighter on December 30. She arrived in Guam for refit January 5, 1945.
Began third war patrol February 1, 1945 in China Sea accompanied by SEGUNDO and USS SEA CAT (SS-399). She sank four ships in separate surface gun actions before terminating her patrol at Pearl Harbor on March 26, 1945.
On May 7, RAZORBACK headed west again to the Nanpo Shoto and Tokyo Bay areas and rescued four B-29 pilots and a fighter pilot before returning to Midway for refit on June 27.
On July 22 RAZORBACK departed Midway for patrol in the Okhotsk Sea, where she sank six cargo boats and damaged two others in surface gun action.
On August 31, 1945, RAZORBACK entered Tokyo Bay with 11 other submarines to take part in the formal surrender of Japan
RAZORBACK earned Five Battle Stars for World War II service and Four Stars for Vietnam service.