NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch on left courtesy of Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.) Other patches contributed by Mike Smolinski
Raton (SS-270) (SSR-270) (AGSS-270)
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| Click On Image For Full Size | Size | Image Description | Source | |
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 | 104k | The first of the sections of the Raton (SS-270) on blocks.
Section "H" which was in the middle and was first erected so that they could build in both directions from it. | Editors Note: There are over 200 images submitted on these pages covering the following submarines that were constructed at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI,: SS-265 through SS-274, and SS-361 through SS-380. None of them would have seen the light of day if it were not for the efforts of former Curator, Asst. Director, Bill Thiesen of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum Larry Bohn, Caitlin Clyne, Rolf Johnson & Susan Menk who sent them to NavSource for publication. A special debt of gratitude is owed to them and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245), for allowing these photographs to be seen by the lovers of naval history worldwide. | |
 | 238k | Close-up on deck view of Manitowoc built submarine Raton (SS-270) looking towards the conning tower under construction at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company in 1943. Deck gun in foreground. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. & submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
 | 248k | Submarine Raton (SS-270), Hull #318, on launching day, 24 January 1943. Mrs Charles C. West, sponsor of the Raton on the launching platform. Note the circled x scrawled on the bow indicating where the bottle of champagne should be aimed during the launching. It was difficult to break the bottle on the smooth curved plate. By the time that the Rock (SS-274) was launched on 20 June 1943, a special angle iron plate was tack welded in place with a sharp edge showing, which made breaking the bottle much easier. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Susan Menk, Archives Assistant, Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. This photo, # 2001-1-1837, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum | |
 | 101k | Boat's builder, Charles Cameron West, President of Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company and Mrs. West, sponsor of the Raton (SS-270), at launching, 24 January, 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
 | 295k | Raton (SS-270) about to be launched at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI., 24 January 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
 0827036 | 546k | Launching of the Manitowoc-built submarine Raton (SS-270) at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company on 24 January 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. This photo, # P68-1-157, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. |
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 | 55k | Watercolor print by the artist Tom Denton of the side launching of a Manitowoc built boat. | Courtesy of submarineart.com | |
 | 17k | Commemorative post card on the occasion of the Raton's (SS-270) launching, 24 January, 1943. | Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory). | |
 | 203k | Raton (SS-270), surfacing from the depths of Lake Michigan during her sea trials, July 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
 | 132k | The Raton (SS-270) probably underway during trials in Lake Michigan, 1 July 1943. | USN Photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org. | |
 0827017 | 331k | Lieutenant M.M. Kimmel receiving an award from an unidentified Rear Admiral. Likely taken while Lt. Kimmel was Executive Officer of the submarine Raton (SS-270) in 1943-1944. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. This photo, # P68-1-19, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. |
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 0827035 | 449k | Officers and crew on deck on the Manitowoc built submarine Raton (SS-270) during commissioning day at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. To the best of my knowledge, the CO James W. Davis and XO M.M. Kimmel stand on the deck, 6th & 7th from the bow. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. This photo, # P70-7-94, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. |
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 | 461k | Raton's (SS-270) CO James W. Davis and XO M.M. Kimmel standing at attention on the deck of the submarine during commissioning at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company on 13 July 1943. | Image from the papers of RADM James W. Davis, Jr @ East Carolina University courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 0827034 | 591k | Crew and general public on deck of the Manitowoc built submarine Raton (SS-270) during commissioning day at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. This photo, # P70-7-93, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. |
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 | 42k | Raton (SS-270) emblem. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
 0827037 | 430k | In order to deliver the subs to New Orleans, the equipment above the conning tower had to be removed and secured on deck to enable the sub to pass under a bridge in the Chicago River. The sub was then mounted on a floating drydock to get it through the shallow areas in the Mississippi River. A book has been published on the trials and tribulations of the moves and is available at the museum. Close up view of floating drydock that will transport the submarine Raton (SS-270), tied to shore at Lockport, IL. 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. This photo, # P70-7-98, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. |
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 | 47k | Moving the subs was not an easy task. Here the Raton (SS-270) prepares for the journey down the Mississippi River on her way to the war in the Pacific by entering a floating dry-dock, 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
 | 150k | Raton (SS-270), in a floating drydock that will be towed to New Orleans. The subs draft was too deep for the Mississippi River, 1943. | Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245). | |
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1.61k | Lapon (SS-260), at left and Raton (SS-270) tied up along side each other at Fremantle, Western Australia, June 1944. The reason for the unfriendly looks are as follows: On 27 May, Raton's ship's log reported: "0615 (H) Ship shaken up considerably by either two underwater explosions or by striking submerged object. People in forward torpedo room thought we had struck something or had been struck by something." This turned out to be 2 torpedoes fired by Lapon. Lapon was looking for a Japanese submarine passing through the area and mistook Raton for that enemy sub. The Commanding officer checked fire on the second set of torpedoes realizing he wasn't shooting at the enemy. Later dry-dock inspection of Raton showed dents where the torpedoes hit. This is the only known friendly fire incident in World War II between two submarines. | Image scanned from United States Submarine Operation in World War II by Theodore Roscoe via Robert Hurst. | |
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306k | This is a Safety Department photo showing the temporary staging used on submarines during their overhauls at the yard. The submarines are Greenling (SS-213) and Raton (SS-270). View looking forward. Text on photos reads:"Good housekeeping and safety gear aboard subs. Walkways provide access to all portions of the boat." Photo taken on 22 February 1945. |
USN photo # MINSY 1371-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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319k | This is a Safety Department photo showing the temporary staging used on submarines during their overhauls at the yard. The submarines are Greenling (SS-213) and Raton (SS-270). View looking aft. Text on photos reads: "Good housekeeping and safety gear aboard subs. Walkways provide access to all portions of the boat." Photo taken on 22 February 1945. |
USN photo # MINSY 1375-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 731k | Raton (SS-270) on the water with sailors standing on the deck and docked ships in the background. | Image from the papers of RADM James W. Davis, Jr @ East Carolina University courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 | 411k | Two sailors holding up the boat's battleflag during World War II. | Image from the papers of RADM James W. Davis, Jr @ East Carolina University courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
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201k | Forward plan view of Tambor (SS-198) at Mare Island on 24 February 1945. Shipyard records indicate that Ray (SS-271) and Greenling (SS-213) were berthed immediately aft of Tambor and behind these two boats were Cero (SS-225) and Raton (SS-270). | USN photo # 1398-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 245k | Bow on view of Sand Lance (SS-381) off Mare Island on 26 February 1945. In the background is a stern view of either Snapper (SS-185), Cero (SS-225), & Raton (SS-270). All were out in the bay that day. | USN photo # 1445-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 173k | Raton (SSR-270) off Mare Island on 9 March 1945. | USN Photo # 1715-45 courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 253k | Stern view of Raton (SS-270) departing Mare Island on 9 March 1945. The Mare Island Light House is in the background. | USN photo # 1716-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 310k | Forward plan view of Raton (SS-270) at Mare Island on 12 March 1945. The stern of the Ray (SS-271) is in the background. | USN photo # 1791-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 270k | Aft plan view of Raton (SS-270) at Mare Island on 12 March 1945. The bow of the Muskallunge (SS-262) is just visible in the background. | USN photo # 1793-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 102k | Forward mounted 40mm gun onboard the Raton (SS-270), following an overhaul at Mare Island, March 1945. The small hatch to the left of the gun on the deck was for ammunition passing. | USN Archives Photo # 80-G-80436, courtesy of The Floating Drydock, "Fleet Subs of WW II" by Thomas F. Walkowiak. | |
 | 185k | Raton (SS-270) & Gato (SS-212) 1946, in New York. | Courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired | |
 | 41k | Raton's (SS-270) WWII battleflag. | USN Photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org. | |
 | 1.90k | Middle fifties view of the Raton (SS-270). | Photo scanned by Ryan Crierie, via flickr, courtesy of Stephen Gower. | |
 | 221k | Raton (SSR-270) as a Radar Picket submarine, with a slightly different configuration, circa 1953-60. | Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired. | |
 | 157k | Stern view of the Raton (SSR-270) as an SSR. | USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
 | 459k | Bow view of the Raton (SSR-270) as an SSR. | USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
 | 1.80k | 15 September 1955 found the Raton (SSR-270) in the middle a 6-month deployment to WestPac. She returned to San Diego on 6 November 1955. | Photos # 80-G-681529 & 80-G-681530 scanned by Ryan Crierie, via flickr, courtesy of Stephen Gower. | |
 | 574k | After overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, from 7 July to 24 November 1958, and underway training, the submarine deployed to the 7th Fleet from early March 1959 to mid-November, participating in operations with SEATO and the Japanese Maritime Defense Force. The Raton (SSR-270) is shown underway, possibly off Guam on 9 November 1959. | USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. | |
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401k | Submarine tender Nereus (AS-17) in a two point moor off Ballast Point at Point Loma, San Diego. Early 1960's. Submarines alongside include the Perch (ASSP-313), which is the outboard boat. The inboard boat is one of the former radar-picket submarines (SSR), Rasher (AGSS-269), Raton (AGSS-270), or Rock (AGSS-274). This picture was taken after Perch lost her cylindrical hangar from the after deck, and after the SSR's lost their radars in the late 1950's. The inboard boat is considerably longer than the Perch, and has an extended sail, both indicators of a former SSR. The radar's proved quite troublesome in service and the concept of the submarine radar-picket died once AEW aircraft on carriers entered service. | Text courtesy of David Johnston USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. |
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 | 680k | Starboard side view of the Raton (SS-270) off Oahu on 14 December 1964. | Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 253k | Raton's (SS-270) CO, LCDR William Dewayne Bourne at Mare Island on 27 July 1965. | Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker. Text i.d. courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). |
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 | 360k | Local fleet and type operations filled 1965 and early 1966 when Raton (AGSS-270) once more followed the setting sun in mid-April for another tour of duty with the 7th Fleet. While deployed, Raton exercised with SEATO naval units in Exercise "Sea Imp." On 17 October 1966 Raton returned to San Diego. Raton's forward torpedo room is pictured here in 1966. | Text courtesy of DANFS. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired. |
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 0827010 | 827k | Mrs. Martin J. Ruch admires LCDR Martin J. Ruch's command at sea insignia after he assume command of Raton (AGSS-270) at Mare Island on 31 October 1967 from LCDR Douglas N. Thomas. | Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 212k | Raton (AGSS-270) and Bluegill (AGSS-242) during the decommissioning ceremony at Mare Island on 28 June 1969. Bream (AGSS-243), Tunny (AGS-282) and Charr (AGSS-328) are forward of Raton and Bluegill. Chara (AE-31) is in the background. | Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 1.20k | Commanding officers of the five decommissioned submarines on the speakers stand at Mare Island on 28 June 1969. | Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker. | |
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145k | Bow view of an unknown Guppy, approximately 1970 at Mare Island. The boat to the left of the Guppy is the Growler (SSG-577). The boat to the right of the Guppy most likely Raton (SSR-270). Other ships identifiable in the background are the Canberra (CA-70), Litchfield County (LST-901), and Sedgwick County (LST-1123). | Text info courtesy of David Johnston USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org. |
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365k | This plaque was unveiled 20 March 1995 by His Excellency Major General P.M. Jeffery OA MC, Governor of Western Australia to commemorate the sacrifices made by Allied submarines that operated out of Fremantle, Western Australia during WW II. | Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). | |
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