Razorback Returns !!!

Since 01-23-05

From: Waspscpo@aol.com
Sent: Saturday, January 08, 2005 3:15 PM
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Subject: Fw: Razorback Returns !!!


From: SNawojczyk@northlittlerock.ar.gov
Subj: Article from the American Submariner Magazine 
Date: 1/6/2005 5:19:49 PM Eastern Standard Time

Sent from the Internet (Details)

The American Submariner

Nov. 2004-04

"Razorback Returns"

Leonard Tunnel and Jeff Morris

Last August, there was a rumor floating around in the SubVet world that a Balao class submarine had mysteriously docked in the Arkansas River, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Knowing how boat sailors are prone to stretch a story some, and being within driving distance, we decided to visit NLR and check things out - see what the Razorback Base had been up to. We knew that it had been a long time since a boat (Batfish) had made a freshwater tour so far into the Mississippi watershed, and since we missed that event, we wanted to be sure we were part of the celebration for the current one. So, on Saturday, August 28, 2004, in a driving rainstorm, we set out for the trip from Dallas Texas to NLR Arkansas.

Along the way, we formed a convoy with several other Dallas Base ex-bubbleheads. The weather cleared up as we approached Little Rock, and we had a good view of the river when we crossed the Arkansas River into North Little Rock however, not a submarine could be seen in either direction.

The apprehension was setting in when we arrived at the hotel in NLR, but then we noticed that there were quite a few other submarine veterans in vests and hats milling around. Our hopes began to rise and we started to get the "old-home" feeling again, like we always do when in the company of shipmates. It seemed like a mini convention.

That afternoon, we attended the Razorback Base meeting where several awards were presented, and the festivities were discussed. The awards presented were the Central region Director Award to Jim Barnes for 100% renewal of USS Razorback Base Members, District 5 Base of the year 2004 to USS Razorback Base, District 5 Shipmate of the year 2004 to Greg Zonner, Central Region Base of the Year 2004 to USS Razorback Base, Jim Barnes accepted, and Central Region Shipmate of the year 2004, Greg Zonner.

We were invited to a tour of Razorback and a reception later that evening.

After the meeting we visited with many of the folks there, and ran into Maurice Barksdale, accompanied by his wife and son. Maurice is an ex-Razorback sailor and Dallas Base SubVet. He had worked on the Razorback project, and he was very happy with their accomplishment.

We boarded the shuttle for the tour and reception. From the hotel, it was about a 5-minute drive to where the boat was moored. We were thrilled as the Razorback came into view. She was tied up to a large covered barge on the North back of the river.

We had volunteered for escort duty, se we hustled down and went on board. The boat looked good with a fresh coat of paint and all. It didn't look any worse for wear from the 7,000 mile voyage, from Turkey to North Little Rock, Arkansas.

We went below into the After Torpedo Room down the normal vertical ladder. Once in operation as a museum boat, the Razorback will probably have some stairways fitted in, but as of this writing, it's just like it was when she was in service.

Walking through the boat was a pleasure. The Turkish Navy took very good care of her and she is in outstanding condition. The After Torpedo Room looks as it did 30 years ago. We noticed that there was some signage in Turkish, but many of the gauges are still pounds per inch, feet, etc.

Moving forward, we were again impressed at the condition of the Razorback, especially when compared to the poor condition we found Cavalla a few years ago. The three Fairbanks-Morse engines looked ready to start and according to those in the know, could be lit-off if there were a fuel available.

In the crew's mess, there was a large teapot instead of the original issue coffee pot. We guess the Turks like their tea as compared to our coffee-drinking sailors. In Control, the alarms were tested several times and they had that familiar sound.

Up in the Conning Tower, the periscopes were also in working condition. The Forward Battery and Forward Torpedo Room were also in great shape. There were plenty of torpedo skids for loading and handling fish when the time comes.

We didn't get a good count of who toured the boat that evening. Most of the folks were, or were with, a submariner, so we didn't have to explain much. It must have been a good crowd since when we got back up to the barge, only chips and dip were left. Fortunately, there was some beer left, which tasted great.

It was planned to move the boat from it temporary berth to a more permanent mooring place the next afternoon, Sunday, August 29. The move was scheduled to begin about 2PM and finish up around 5PM. At that time, the official welcoming program would take place, with bands, speeches, and fireworks after dusk.

Because of Maurice's influence, we were allowed to ride the boat down the river to its new resting place. We arrived at the barge and were issued a life preserver with "USS RAZORBACK 1944-1970 TCG MURAT REIS 1970-2004 NORTH LITTLE ROCK 2004" stenciled on the back. After the trip we were allowed to purchase the vest as a souvenir.

Aboard the barge while waiting to board Razorback, we met Chris and Jessica Brown. Chris is the grandson, and Jessica the great-granddaughter, of the last wartime skipper of Razorback, C. Donald Brown. LCDR Brown was the Executive Officer on Razorback's first patrol and Commanding Officer on the remaining four patrols. He was skipper when Razorback was in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender. He retired as a Captain in 1980 or 1981. According to Chris and Jessica, Captain Brown almost never talked about his experiences in WWII.

Chris was in Turkey to see Razorback's departure for her new home in North Little Rock, AR. It was evident that Chris and Jessica were proud of Captain Brown's service, and they were glad to see Razorback returning home.

We also met CDR Ken Brown who was skipper of Razorback 1966-1968. He qualified on Rasher in 1957, and then served on Pomfret and as XO of Bluegill before assuming command of Razorback. He also served on Comsubpac Staff.

We asked CDR Brown how he felt seeing Razorback's return. He replied, "Great! I'm very happy North Little Rock has found her a home." He did indicate that he felt the hatches and compartments had somehow grown a lot smaller, but said, "The CO's bunk still fits. I have not seen Razorback in 36 years and seeing her now brings back lots of wonderful memories."

CDR Brown brought a 25-foot orchid lei from Hawaii that was draped across the front of Razorback's sail. He said this was tradition in Hawaii, but he had trouble convincing the florist to make a lei so big. He said he wanted the lei for Razorback regardless of cost.

We boarded the boat, and "set the maneuvering watch" for the trip downriver. It's been a long time since either of us had stood topside on a submarine that was underway. Although Razorback had no power of her own, and was controlled by a tugboat, we still felt like we were underway and it was a great thrill. The barge was still tied to the side of the boat with the tug using the barge as a long lever to maneuver the boat by pushing and pulling. It was very well done.

There were 144 riders on Razorback as she made her way downriver to the celebration site. Most were former submarine sailors. Twenty-four of them were former crewmembers of Razorback, and nine of those served on her in WWII.

We met some of the former crewmembers, including Dick Grinstead, Fireman 1st Class, 1950-1952, and Fred Wright, TM2 (SS) 1948-1951. They told us the story of Razorback taking out a telephone booth at Hampton Roads. It seems a junior officer backed down too fast and hit the seawall, taking out 10 feet of seawall and knocking over a phone booth.

We also met Larry Crann who was on the commissioning crew. He reported to Razorback two months prior to commissioning as a LTJG and was separated as an LT in June 1946, while serving as XO. He was going to apply for Regular Navy status and had the paperwork to sign when the Captain informed him that the Division Commander wanted to inspect their haircuts. LT Crann said, "I decided right then I was not going to sign any papers, so I got out of the Navy."

Many boats, large and small escorted the Razorback during the 3-hour trip to her berth. It was very patriotic with lots of flag waving and all. The folks of Little Rock and North Little Rock turned out in force for this event.

As we pulled into the final berth the bands were playing, and hundreds of people were there to greet and celebrate with us. The Razorback Base did some fine line handling as we tied up. Although it had been a long time since they had tied up the boat, they showed that their seamanship skills were still pretty sharp. Once she was securely moored, the dedication ceremony commenced with speeches, blessings and all. After dark, there was a fireworks display that rivaled the Washington DC Independence Day show.

The Razorback was at the end of an incredible journey that began in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery Maine, threaded through some dangerous water during World War II, and Vietnam. She did some "Blind Man's Bluff" time during the cold war, and ended up extending her life by about 34 years in the Turkish Navy. Her ending up in North Little Rock was the icing on the cake, and now she has ended her life as a warrior but is just beginning her life as a museum, teacher, and emblem for all Submarine Sailors.

END