AIMM Mission
To commemorate America's rich naval and maritime heritage through the preservation and exhibition of historic naval vessels with an emphasis on the era of World War II through the present.
Photographs Related to USS Razorback - 1946-1947 - Roger Whitman
Roger Whitman was a Seaman First Class aboard USS Razorback in the 1946-47 time period. Razorback was his qual boat, and he left the Navy without serving on any other submarine. He currently lives in Coopersville, MI. Mr. Whitman, his son, and two grandsons visited Razorback recently, and he left us digital copies of some photographs from his personall collection.
The front of Mr. Whitman's Liberty Card
The back of the Liberty Card.
The drydocks at Naval Base Pearl Harbor. Based on the other photographs in the set, we believe Razorback is in the left-side drydock.
A close-up of the right-side drydock.
Another close-up of the right-side drydock, taken from a slightly different angle.
A close-up of the left side drydock and the area beyond the drydock, showing several small destroyer-class vessels tied up.
A close-up of Razorback's stern, showning good detail of the WWII era paint scheme, known as Measure 32.
A rarely-seen view of Razorback's bow, showing her WWII bullnose, and her forward torpedo tube outer dooors to good effect.
Another view of Razorback in drydock, showing her WWII-era bullnose, the limber holes at her bow as well as her fresh paint job.
Razorback in drydock.
Razorback in drydock.
Razorback in drydock.
Razorback in drydock.
An unidentified sailor, probably Seaman Whitman, perched on the starboard screw. Razorback's modern propellers, on display outside the museum, are quite different from these.
Unidentified sailors on Razorback's deck, which was, at the time, largely covered in perferated steel plate. The muzzle of Razorback's after 5-inch gun is in the foreground.
Razorback alongside USS Sea Dog (SS-401). The latter submarine would be based out of Pearl Harbor until 1950.
USS Ray (SS-271). Ray completed eight war patrols during WWII and was later converted to a Radar Picket Submarine (SSR).
Unidentified vessels. The ship to the left is possibly USS Gasconade (APA-85), which had been a target ship during Operation Crossroads and was towed from there to San Francisco, arriving in early 1947, so she could have crossed paths with Razorback during this time.
USS George Clymer (APA-27). Like USS Gasconade, USS George Clymer had been at Bikini Atoll for the atomic bomb tests. However, she was not a target, but rather served in a support role.
USS U-3008, a Type XXI German U-Boat that had been turned over to the U.S. Navy when Germany surrendered. She was used extensively in testing new submarine warfare tactics involving fast submarines. Many of her design features would be incorporated into Razorback's modifications, especially the initial GUPPY IIA changes that were made in 1952-54. This picture was probably taken at Groton, CT, where Mr. Whitman went through submarine school, as there is no record of U-3008 ever sailing as far as Pearl Harbor.