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
Patch on right by Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy. Other patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Tang (SS-563)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Golf- Delta
Tang Class(Diesel Fast Attack) Submarine: Awarded 16 May 1947 to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME; Laid 18 April 1949; Launched 19 June 1951; Commissioned on 25 October 1951 as Tang (SS-563).
First of the post-WWII Class of six submarines that incorporated the GUPPY (snorkel) configuration into the design, as well as being test platforms for the first three Classes of nuclear submarines that were to follow.

After shakedown and type training along eastern seaboard of the U. S., Tang reported to Submarine Squadron One (SubRon 1) at Pearl Harbor, HI. In 1952, she set a new U. S. Navy depth record of 713 feet. During overhaul in 1957 - 1958, Tang had her hull lengthened 9 feet to enable the installation of the new 10-cylinder engines that replaced the original "pancake" type engines.
In 1959, Tang tested a new snorkel de-icing system during joint cold weather training with the Royal Canadian Navy off the coast of British Columbia. With the addition of the newly developed Passive Underwater Fire-control Feasibility System (PUFFS) in a 1962 modification, Tang's hull was stretched once again.
In 1972, she had her designation changed from Submarine (SS) to Auxiliary Miscellaneous Submarine (AGSS), but when Tang was re-assigned back to Groton, CT in 1978, she was re-classified back to her original SS designator.
In Groton, Tang's primary mission was to training Iranian Navy personnel in preparation for the forthcoming transfer of three Tang Class submarines to Iran. The transfer of these submarines under terms of the Security Assistance Program (SAP) failed to materialize and, on 8 February 1980, Tang was Decommissioned; Transferred (lease) to the Republic of Turkey and Commissioned as TCG Pirireis (S-343).

Tang was struck from the U. S. Naval Vessel Registry (NVR) on 6 August 1987 and ultimately Transferred (sale) to Turkey on 17 August 1987. TCG Pirireis, ex-Tang continued to serve in the Turkish Submarine Forces until she was Decommissioned in August 2004. TCG Pirireis is maintained as a museum ship near the Turkish Submarine base at Izmir,Turkey.
Tang was awarded 4 battle stars for service in Vietnam with the U. S. Navy.
Researched by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Retired) & Dave Kite for NavSource.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,100 t., Submerged: 2,700 t.; Length 287'; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 19'; Speed, Surfaced 20 kts, Submerged 18 kts; Complement 8 Officers 75 Enlisted; Armament, six 21" torpedo tubes forward & 2-19" torpedo tubes aft for Mk 37 torpedoes, eight MK-49/57 mines; Propulsion, diesel-electric, Fairbanks-Morse Type 3 diesel engines, HP 4500, two electric motors, HP 5600, 2 shafts/propellers .
Click On Image
For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
Tang124kSponsor and official party at the Tang (SS-563) launching ceremonies, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine, 19 June 1951. Present in the front row are (left to right): Miss Marsha G. O'Kane, Maid of Honor; Mrs. Richard H. O'Kane, Sponsor; and Commander Richard H. O'Kane, USN, former Commanding Officer of the first Tang (SS-306). Official USN photo # NH 95937, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
Tang
0856304		933k Mrs. Richard H. O'Kane, sponsor, about to christen the submarine Tang (SS-563) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, New Hampshire, on 19 June 1951. Official USN photo # NH 95938, courtesy of history.navy.mil
Tang 89k Tang (SS-563) dressed with flags, slides into the water at her launching, at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME., on 19 June 1951. USN photo from The World Encyclopedia of Submarines, by John Parker, courtesy of Robert Hurst.
Tang 40k Tang (SS-563), the first submarine designed post WW-II, shows her ferrite-core loop antenna, AT-274/BRR (6). The great distinguishing feature of post-WW II submarines was their ability to operate submerged almost continuously. They had to be able to receive radio messages while submerged. Before WW II, it was discovered that wire loops (intended for radio direction finding) could receive VLF signals at periscope depth. Postwar, NRL developed the much smaller ferrite-core loop, which could be wrapped in a small streamlined body. It was first tested in 1948.
Unlike the old air-core loop, it was omnidirectional (two loops were wrapped at right angles).
Other antennas visible in the photo are:
(1) retractable MF/HF whip (NT 66053), (2) Fixed MF/HF whip (NT 66053), (3)emergency wire antenna, (4) VHF/IFF antenna (AS-524BPX), (5) AEW (airborne early warning) link and becaon and UHF antenna (AS-493/U), (7)SV-3 radar, (8)BPS-1 air search radar, (9)ST-1 range only radar on the periscope, (10)SPR-1 ESM antenna, (11) AS-371/S antenna, (12)AS-373/BLR ESM antenna, & (13) posistion of a planned ECM direction finding antenna. 		Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Since 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman & James L. Christley. Naval Institute Press.
Tang 81k For all their high underwater speed, Tang's used much the same sort of handwheel controls (for bow and stern planes) as their WW II predecessors. Tang's (SS-563) diving station shows the usual plane angle indicators, depth gauge and "bubble" (in the curved tube) that indicates the angle of the boat. Nautilus (SSN-571) had similar controls for her planesmen, with a separate wheel for steering. In effect, this arrangement clearly separated steering in the vertical and horizontal (rudder) planes. Traditionally arranged submarines, such as Nautilus, made a tremendous impression by their ability to jump in and out of sonar beams, but they could not coordinate such maneuvers with violent turns. Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Since 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman & James L. Christley. Naval Institute Press.
SS-563 802k Tang (SS-563) underway in April 1952. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Tang1.74kOriginal Welcome Aboard pamphlet for the Tang (SS-563).PDF courtesy of Darryl L. Baker
SS-563 82k Tang (SS-563) departing Pearl Harbor. Photo by UAN, PCS Robert A. Carlisle.
Photo taken from The American Submarine, by Norman Polmar & submitted by Robert Hurst.
Tang
0856314		826kOil Painting of Coucal (ASR-8) moored over Tang (SS-563). (You can almost susbtitute her for the Tang (SS-306) lying sunk off Formosa). Official USN photo # NH 95938, courtesy of history.navy.mil
Tang 168k Interior of the Tang (SS-563) on 25 August 1954, underway on Northern run. Ed Kalinoski (ski) on bow planes, English on Stern Planes, Lt. Home Diving Officer and Chief Parish COB. Courtesy of Ed Kalinoski via Dan Craw ETC/SS Ret. Tang SS-563, 1968-71.
Tang 67k Tang (SS-563), up periscope. Courtesy of Rick Rowe.
SS 563 189k Tang (SS-563) Crew at Quarters in Yokosuka mid 1950s. Ed Kalinosk is the 4th person from the right, second row, semi-kneeling. Photo courtesy of Ed Kalinosk via Dan Craw ETC/SS Ret. Tang SS-563, 1968-71.
SS 563 220k Tang (SS-563) Crew at Quarters in Yokosuka with the Coucal (ASR-8) outboard Tang, mid 1950s. Photo courtesy of Ed Kalinosk via Dan Craw ETC/SS Ret. Tang SS-563, 1968-71.
SS-322, 563,565 & 567 328k Tang (SS-563), Wahoo (SS-565),Gudgeon (SS-567) & Blackfin (SS-322) at the sub base, Pearl Harbor. Circa 1958. Looks like a Change of Command for SubRon 7 is taking place. Photo courtesy of Dan Craw ETC/SS Ret. Tang SS-563, 1968-71.
Text i.d. courtesy of Ken Wiltshire.
Tang 419k Tang (SS-563), underway, circa post 1950's in an official Navy photo. Courtesy of Rick Rowe & Ed Kalinosk via Dan Craw ETC/SS Ret. Tang SS-563, 1968-71.
Tang 284k Tang (SS-563) docked at Vancouver B.C. on 11 April 1959. Walter E. Frost Photographer. Source: City of Vancouver Archives, Photo No. AM1506-S3-3-: CVA 447-8484 via Mike Green.
Tang 193k Tang (SS-563),Wahoo (SS-565) & Gudgeon (SS-567) at Pearl Harbor. I believe this photo may be from late ‘50s to mid ‘60s. Courtesy of Rick Rowe & Ed Kalinosk via Dan Craw ETC/SS Ret.
Text i.d. via STS2(SS) Ed Misik.
Carp241kThis photo is of one of three Tang class (SS-563 / 568) boats:
Tang (SS-563), Wahoo (SS-565),Gudgeon (SS-567). The rest of the Tang class boats had different sail configurations. 		Photo courtesy of Ron Phillipi. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired) & John Hummel, USN (Retired). Text i.d. courtesy of David Johnston.
Carp241kThis photo is of one of three Tang class (SS-563 / 568) boats:
Tang (SS-563), Wahoo (SS-565),Gudgeon (SS-567). The rest of the Tang class boats had different sail configurations. 		Photo courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired) & John Hummel, USN (Retired). Text i.d. courtesy of David Johnston.
Tang 803k Tang (SS-563) returned to the Pacific Northwest in late February 1961, following her fourth overhaul at Pearl Harbor, for shakedown training and participation in a 1st Fleet Exercise, SLAMEX. Text courtesy of DANFS. USN photo courtesy of Wayne Buescher PH3 via Lonnie Whittaker Webmaster WWW.USS-BENNINGTON.ORG.
Tang 115k Tang (SS-563), port side view entering Pearl Harbor, circa 1964. USN photo courtesy of US Naval Historical Center.
Tang
0856321		1.17kAerial view of submarine Tang (SS-563) underway on the surface, off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 8 June 1964. Official USN photo by PH2 Antoine # KN-9452, courtesy of history.navy.mil
Tang 75k Tang (SS-563) in her final configuration, with three PUFFS (BQG-4) passive-ranging arrays along her upper deck and Fairbanks-Morse diesels. She has been lengthened partly to provide additional plotting space to control Mk-45 torpedoes. Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Since 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman & James L. Christley. Naval Institute Press.
Tang class 3.03k 1972 copy of Tang's (SS-563) "Booklet of General Plans". Photos courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Tang
0856315b		146kLCDR Carmine Tortora - Commanded Tang (AGSS-563) from July 1975 to July 1978. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Tang 993k Tang (SS-563) in a reprint of an earlier photo of the submarine and used by the Mare Island Public Affairs during her overhaul from 15 January 1976 to 23 January 1977. Submarine Base Pearl Harbor photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Tang
0856322		330kTwo image PDF of Tang's (SS-563) inboard profile, main deck and platforms during her 76/77 overhaul at Mare Island. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Tang2.77k1980 Welcome Aboard pamphlet for the Tang (SS-563).PDF courtesy of Darryl L. Baker
Tang 18k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the Tang's (SS-563), decommisssioning, 8 February 1980. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
TCG Pirireis (S-343)
Tang149kCertificate of delivery of the ex-Tang (SS-563) to the government of Turkey as the TCG Pirireis (S-343), 8 February 1980. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang160kThe Pirireis (S-343) breaks the waves. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang104kWork stations aboard the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang89kSleeping quarters aboard the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang94k Pirireis (S-343) after torpedo room. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang107kInterior view aboard the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang80kInterior view aboard the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang114kInterior view aboard the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang288kSailor in torpedo room of the Pirireis (S-343) as a museum ship. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang235kPirireis (S-343) & Frigate (Knox class) TCG Ege F256 ex-Ainsworth FF-1090, side by side as museum ships in Izmir,Turkey.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy. Text i.d. courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Tang516kAdded this photo more so for the background than the boat: Pirireis (S-343) is escorted out to sea. Photo courtesy of Cüneyt Demir.
Tang88kPirireis (S-343) official crew photo. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang75k Decommissioning order 9 August 2004 for the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang148kCommanding officers of the Pirireis (S-343). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Tang (SS-563) Commanding Officers, courtesy of Wolfgang Hechler
USS TANG SS-563 Huey, Enders Phillip, CDR 1941 1 25.10.1951 19.05.1953 FDC
USS TANG SS-563 Woodall, Reuben Farrior, LCDR 1943 2 19.05.1953 16.04.1955
USS TANG SS-563 Newby, Robert Grant, LCDR 1945 3 16.04.1955 15.05.1957
USS TANG SS-563 Donavan, Robert Duane, LCDR 1945 4 15.05.1957 06.12.1958
USS TANG SS-563 Coppedge, John Oliver, LCDR 1947 5 06.12.1958 15.04.1961
USS TANG SS-563 Taylor, David Junior, CDR USN 6 15.04.1961 06.07.1963
USS TANG SS-563 McCabe, Gerry Medlar, LCDR 1949 7 06.07.1963 14.09.1963
USS TANG SS-563 Muck, Floyd Robert, CDR 1950 8 14.09.1963 16.08.1965
USS TANG SS-563 Bull III, Joseph Laurie, LCDR USN 9 16.08.1965 09.05.1967
USS TANG SS-563 Beaver, John Thomas, CDR USN 10 09.05.1967 29.08.1969
USS TANG SS-563 Easton, Ervin Ray, CDR USN 11 29.08.1969 24.07.1971
USS TANG SS-563 Shriver, Norman William, LCDR 1958 12 24.07.1971 20.07.1973
USS TANG SS-563 Ramsey, William Frank, LCDR 1960 13 20.07.1973 03.07.1975
USS TANG SS-563 Tortora, Carmine, LCDR 1962 14 03.07.1975 06.07.1977
USS TANG SS-563 Thaxton, David Reuben, CDR 1962 15 06.07.1977 00.07.1979
USS TANG SS-563 Hekel, Ulis Dean, CDR USN 16 00.07.1979 08.02.1980 LDC
View the Tang (SS-563)
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
Historic Naval Ships Association
SS-563 Tang
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index
This page is created and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History All rights reserved.