DR. KEN BRIDGES (cont.)

two separate incidents, the Razorback helped rescue American airmen who crashed into the sea. After Japan surrendered, the Razorback was part of the American flotilla taking part in the surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay on Sept. 2.

In the 1950s, the ship was refit with more modern equipment and served as part of anti-submarine training exercises in the Pacific in addition to its usual patrols. In 1962, the sub served in an observational role for Operation Swordfish, a nuclear test detonation at sea. In the mid- to late 1960s, the sub periodically patrolled the South China Sea near Vietnam.

On Nov. 30, 1970, the Navy decommissioned the Razorback and sold it to Turkey, a NATO ally. The Turkish navy rechristened the vessel the Muratreis, after a former Turkish admiral, and put it into their service in early 1971. It would serve for 30 years in the Turkish fleet. In all, the vessel saw nearly 54 years of service, one of the longest careers of any submarine still surviving.

Though the submarine was named for a whale, it won a warm place in the hearts of Arkansans for invoking the name of the beloved Razorback mascot of the University of Arkansas.

When news came that the Turkish navy was decommissioning the sub in 2001, Arkansans rallied to give it a final home in the Natural State. Officials in North Little Rock as well as veterans groups worked with the Turkish government to purchase the Razorback and bring it to Arkansas.

Turkey agreed to sell it to North Little Rock in March 2004 for $37,500, all of which came from private donations. The unpowered sub was towed that summer from Turkey to New Orleans, a voyage that took six weeks. Afterward, the Razorback was towed up the Mississippi River.

However, just as it entered the Arkansas River, its progress was stopped over fears of low river levels that threatened the sub running aground. Two barges were arranged to lift the sub a few feet higher in the river, and it was brought to the Port of Little Rock without incident by August 29. The total cost of the voyage was reportedly more than $500,000.

The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum was dedicated in March 2005 in part to tell the story of the famed sub and offer tours of the vessel. Today, the Razorback continues to be a popular destination for tourists in North Little Rock.

Dr. Ken Bridges is a professor of history and geography at South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado. He is also resident historian for the South Arkansas Historical Preservation Society.