USS Razorback Launched - 27 January 1944

USS Razorback was launched and christened 65 years ago today at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME.
She had been built in Drydock #1 at the shipyard along with two sister submarines, USS Redfish (SS 935) and USS Ronquil (SS 396). (Razorback is on the left.)

This was the first and only time three submarines would be built together in this fashion.

Also launched the same day at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was USS Scabbardfish (SS 397).

The day a submarine (or a ship) is launched represents a significant milestone in her life. On that day, she leaves dry land and enters her natural element for the first time.

Christening is the official ceremony where a vessel receives her name. Razorback was christened by Mrs. H.F.D. Davis.

For more information about the history of Launching and Christening ceremonies in general, visit the US Naval Historical Center Web Site.

The Commandant Requests the Honor of Your Presence

The Commandant
of the
Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Requests the Honor of Your Presence at the
Christening of

USS Razorback
USS Redfish
USS Ronquil
USS Scabbardfish

on Thursday, January 27, 1944

at 1:00 p.m.

New Blog - Arkansas In the Civil War

With the 150th anniversary of the Civil War fast approaching, interest in Civil War history is starting to increase, and thankfully, along with this increase in interest is a corresponding increase in available information.

One example is a new blog, Arkansas in the Civil War. Posted by writer and historian Dale Cox, the blog has already covered the Battle of Arkansas Post in great detail.

While not the scene of great naval battles, Arkansas did see both Union and Confederate vessels on her waters, including the Battle of Arkansas Post, as shown in the painting above.

As it shows, a number of Union vessels were used to support the 30,000 Union troops involved in the battle.

Arkansas in the Civil War looks to be another blog well worth following.

Graphic courtesy of Arkansas in the Civil War.

New Maritime Blog

It has come to our attention that "Maritime Texas", a new "interdisciplinary blog dedicated to the rich maritime heritage" of the State of Texas started publishing articles online just a few days before Christmas.

It looks like they are off to a good start, and are really getting some new information out about many different maritime subjects.

USS Razorback Featured in "Arkansas Online Focus"

Arkansas Online Focus is a feature of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper.

On Friday, Brian Thornhill, a photographer for the paper came by and spent some time touring the museum as well as Razorback herself.

A total of 26 pictures made it into the feature.

We would like to thank Brian for taking the time to come by and visit.

Photo credit: Brian Thornhill, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / Arkansas Online

USS Razorback Featured in NLR Times

USS Razorback was featured on the front page (below the fold, but still on the front page) in the Thursday, January 8th edition of the North Little Rock Times.

"Couple renews vows on NLR marine sub"

The USS Razorback has been in battle.

It has been deep in the ocean all around the world and the one-time American submarine still has a Turkish flag flying over it from its stint in the Navy there.

So one might think the submarine anchored on the north shore of the Arkansas River has seen it all.

Maybe after Tuesday it has.

Tuesday was the day that the USS Razorback control room hosted the renewal of wedding vows between William and Patricia Czupryna of Grand Saline, Texas.

You can read the rest of the article on the NLR Times website.

We would like to thank the reporter, Jeremy Peppas, for coming out on a cold, icy day to attend the short ceremony. We would also like to thank John Jones for coming out on a cold, icy day to take excellent photographs (as always).

Thank You Letter from Shorty's Daughter

AIMM has received a very nice "thank you" letter from Shorty's daughter, Vickie Harris.

The letter reads:

"Dear Friends
- Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
- Patriot Guard Riders
- Rolling Thunder

"On behalf of his family, I want to thank you all for all the help you gave me with Daddy's funeral.

"I would like to send a thank you note to everybody, but this just too daunting a task. So, with your permission, I would like for each of you to pass along my great appreciation to all of your staff and interested parties. Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder and the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum staff were all equally important to Daddy, and he was proud to belong to your organizations. He often spoke of you all and was happily busy keeping up with all the doings, right up to the last minute.

"I want to thank all of you for the happiness you gave him in the last years of his life. He lived his life straight up and straight ahead and he taught us kids by example, not to look back, just keep going and do the best we can. I'm sure you all got that impression of him as well.

"He never talked to me about his last wishes, so I just went ahead with what I thought he would like most. All of you made that possible for me and kept the details straight so that I didn't have to worry about it. Just saying thank you is not enough, but it is all I have for now. So please accept my gratitude and remember him full of life and going 90 miles an hour.

Sincerely,
Vickie (Hagerman) Harris

Shorty Hagerman Remembered Aboard USS Lexington (CV-16)

Shorty Hagerman was beloved not just by his friends here at AIMM (and across Arkansas), but also by his friends at USS Lexington (CV-16) in Corpus Christi, TX.

Shorty was an active volunteer and supporter of the Lexington Museum, even when he was unable to visit his beloved former ship as often as he wanted.

The Lexington folks conducted a Memorial service for Shorty in Lexington's hanger bay and the ship's volunteers put a wreath overboard. Shown are (L-R), Maggie Ramsey, USS Lexington volunteer coordinator, three Lexington volunteers, and Rocco Montesano, Executive Director of the Museum.

Rocco writes, "It could not have been a more beautiful day with calm winds, unusual for Corpus Christi. It will take a long time for the wreath to get to shore, which I'm sure would be fine by Shorty!"