Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster.
Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Rock (SS-274) (SSR-274) (AGSS-274)

Radio Call Sign: November - Whiskey - Lima - Golf
 Tactical Voice Radio Call: "RECORD RUN"
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 23 December 1942, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 20 June 1943; Commissioned USS Rock (SS-274), 26 October 1943; Decommissioned, 1 May 1946, at New London, CT.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet; Converted to a Radar Picket Submarine at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard; Reclassified, (SSR-274), 18 July 1952; Recommissioned, 12 October 1953, at Philadelphia, PA.; Reclassified Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-274), 31 December 1959; Decommissioned, 13 September 1969, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.; Struck from the Naval Register, 13 September 1969; Final Disposition, designated for use as a target & then sold for scrap on 17 August 1972. Rock earned four battle stars for World War II service.
Partial data submitted by Yves Hubert.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gals., four General Electric main motors, HP 2740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin propellers.
Click On Image
For Full Size		SizeImage DescriptionSource
Sponsor919kClose up view of the port side hull of the Manitowoc built submarine Robalo (SS-273) on the ways at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company with workers preparing for launch on 9 May 1943. What could be the hull of the Rock (SS-274) appears behind the Robalo.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., Submitted by Hanah Patten, Registrar,Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI.
This photo, # P70-7-205, can be ordered from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
Rock51kRock (SS-274), about to start her way into the waters of the Manitowoc River at her launching 20 June 1943.
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.
Manitowoc55k Watercolor print by the artist Tom Denton of the side launching of a Manitowoc built boat. Courtesy of submarineart.com
Sponsor216kSubmarine Rock (SS-274), Hull #322, Ready for launching from berth A on 20 June 1943. Sponsor, Mrs. B. O. Wells. taking aim. She is supposed to strike the piece of angle iron tack welded to the bow (to the left of the bottle) to insure that the bottle breaks. 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, # 2001-1-1935, can be ordered (without the watermark) from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
Rock17kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Rock's (SS-274) launching, 20 June 1943. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Rock32kRock (SS-274), starboard view, undergoing sea trials in Lake Michigan, June 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).
Rock23kRock (SS-274), undergoing sea trials in Lake Michigan, June 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).
Rock63kRock (SS-274), officers and crew line the conning tower, June 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).
Harry Berns485kPhoto of Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
The photo of the Golet (SS-361) encased in snow appears on the wall above him on the upper right.
His obituary appears here. 		Photo courtesy of Susan Menk, Archives Assistant, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Dee Anna Grimsrud,Reference Archivist, Wisconsin Historical Society, Steve Khail, CBC, Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. & William Young.
Rock209kStarboard beam view of the Rock (SS-274), underway probably during her trials on Lake Michigan during the summer of 1943. Her fairweather is partly open, lessening the surface silhouette. Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
Rock120k Port quarter view of the Rock (SS-274), underway in the Gulf of Panama, 27 December 1943. Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
Rock179kPort beam view of the Rock (SS-274), underway in the Gulf of Panama, 27 December 1943. Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
Rock179kRock's (SS-274) WWII battle insignia.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).
Rock179kRock's (SS-274) WWII battle flag.Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245).
Ustick
0819615		 325k 1 June 1955 photo of LCDR T. M. Ustick while at Mare Island with the San Francisco Bay Submarine Group. He is listed as the commanding officer of Rock (SS-274) from 28 May to 10 December 1945 in a CINCPACFLT listing of commands under its control at that time. Partial text courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler.
Photo from files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Bluegill 187k Photo of the decommissioning ceremonies aboard Bluegill (SS-242) 7 July 1952, for conversion to a Hunter-Killer Submarine. The Rock (SS-274) is behind her. Photo i.d. courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired). USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Rock468k"Sailor christens submarine", 13 October 1953.
"Bottle of champagne is smashed across the electronics section of the Rock (SSR-274) by Electronics Technician Walter H. Moore at a recommissioning ceremony at the Philadelphia Naval Base. The submarine, a veteran of World War II, was cut in half and a 30-foot electronics section was added. Participating in the program are Commander Peter W. Haas (left), commander of the Naval Shipyard, and Captain Stanley P. Mosely.		Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
COC 1.34k This unusual view shows eleven vessels of Submarine Squadron Five (nine submarines, a submarine rescue vessel and a submarine tender) moored side by side for a recent change of command ceremony at San Diego, California. Captain Eugene B. Fluckey, USN, Medal of Honor recipient, relieved Captain Francis B. Scanland, USN, as Commander, Submarine Squadron Five on 1 August 1955. Nested alongside the submarine tender Nereus (AS-17) are: Tunny (SSG-282), Cusk (SS-348), Carbonero (SS-337), Tilefish (SS-307), Spinax (SSR-489), Rock (SSR-274), Remora (SS-487), Catfish (SS-339), and Volador (SS-490), and the submarine rescue vessel, Florikan (ASR-9). Photograph released 3 August 1955. Photo # USN 681919 courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
COC 681k Nereus (AS-17) with nine submarines;
Tunny (SSG-282),
Cusk (SS-348),
Carbonero (SS-337),
Tilefish (SS-307),
Spinax (SSR-489),
Rock (SSR-274),
Remora (SS-487),
Catfish (SS-339),
Volador (SS-490)
and the Submarine Rescue Vessel Florikan (ASR-9) moored alongside at San Diego.		 USN photo from "All Hands" magazine, November 1955, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com
Rock101k This picture shows the Rock (SSR-274) as a Radar Picket and was taken January 1956. Coming from San Diego and going under the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, to six months in dry-dock and overhaul at Mare Island,Calf., between commissioning and the 1956 overhaul at Mare Island when the nodding idiot was changed/upgraded. Photo & text courtesy of Francis Sullivan CS3-SS & Larry Derouin.
Rock170kBow on view of Rock (SSR-274) departing Mare Island on 9 May 1956. She was in overhaul at the yard from 6 January to 23 May 1956. USN photo # 29247-5-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Rock139kStern view of Rock (SSR-274) departing Mare Island on 9 May 1956. She was in overhaul at the yard from 6 January to 23 May 1956. USN photo # 29251-5-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Rock1.06kCrew members of a B-36 based at Travis Air Force base are greeted by the LCDR J. D. Eaton, Commanding Officer of the Rock (SSR-274) at Mare Island as part of Operation Whirlwind during observance of Armed Forces Day on 17 May 1956.Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Rock1.19kOperation Whirlwind visitors to the Rock (SSR-274) at Mare Island. Left to right: STS3 Mark Borelli, LCDR J. D. Eaton, USN (Co, Rock), Capt. Blaine A. Herren, USAF (Aircraft Commander) and S/Sgt William J. Mayo (B-36 Weather Gunner).Photo from the files of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Rock488kOn 23 July 1954, Rock (SSR-274) departed San Diego for the western Pacific area and a 6-month tour on the Taiwan Strait Patrol. She subsequently alternated deployments to WestPac with operations off the Pacific coast. She made 6-month deployments to WestPac in 1956 and during the winter of 1958-59. She is seen here on 19 October 1957.Text courtesy of DANFS.
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Rock1.70kBroadside view of the Rock (SSR-274) off Mare Island on 28 July 1958.Photo # 80-G-1042365 scanned by Ryan Crierie, via flickr, courtesy of Stephen Gower.
Rock1.80kSurface stern view of the Rock (SSR-274) on 28 July 1958 at Mare Island. Photo # NY9-40347-7-58 scanned by Ryan Crierie, via flickr, courtesy of Stephen Gower.
Point Loma 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.
Rock126k Rock (SSR-274) around the clock.
Broadside, starboard quarter, & close up of the sail in 1/192 scale, solid cast resin, (circa 1958-1959).		Model & photo courtesy of Mel Douyette & coldwarsubmarines.com
Rock310k Rock (SS-274) underway, circa 1960's. USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski & John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Rock198kRock (SS-274) underway, circa 1960's. USN photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski & John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Rock61kPort beam view of the Rock (SS-274), underway circa 1960's.Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
Rock69kStarboard view of the Rock (SS-274), underway circa 1960's.Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
Ballast Point 81k Ballast Point Nest 1967: Volador (SS-490), Redfish (SS-395), Salmon (SS-573) & Rock (SS-274). Photo by J.D. Decrevel EM2(SS).
Rock22kRock (AGSS-274), at Naval Station Subic Bay, PI, May 1968.Photo by John Jazdzewski, Boston (CAG-1).
Rock22kRock (AGSS-274), at Naval Station Subic Bay, PI, May 1968.Photo by John Jazdzewski, Boston (CAG-1).
Cusk1.30kLCDR Thomas F. Arnold, Commanding Officer Cusk (SS-348) receives the submarine's commissioning pennant during her decommissioning at Mare Island on 24 September 1969. Rock (AGSS-274) is just visible to the far left. USN photo # 94514-9-69, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Cusk652kDecommissioning ceremonies for the Picking (DD-685) at Reserve Fleet, Mare Island on 1 June 1970.
The submarines from left to right in the background are: Cusk (SSG-348), Rock (AGSS-274), Bashaw (SS-241), Spinax (SSR-489). 		Photo i.d. courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
USN photo courtesy of Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Fred Willshaw & Darryl L. Baker.
MINSY430k Seven inactive submarines at Mare Island on 30 April 1971.
Left to right: Cusk (SS-348), Rock (AGSS-274), Bashaw (SS-241), Spinax (SSR-489), Pomodon (SS-486), Medregal (SS-480), and Diodon (SS-349).
Photo by Ted Stone and negative given to the shipyard in 1995. 		USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Fremantle 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).
View the Rock (SS/SSR/AGSS-274)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Rock SS/SSR/AGSS-274
USS Rock (SS 274) links
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
Manitowoc Built Submarines
Back To The Main Photo IndexBack To the Submarine Index
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster
This page is created by Michael Mohl, and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History All rights reserved.