Higgins Industries of New Orleans, Louisiana later famed for developing As a result, the average boater expects superior levels of luxury interiors. A sailor in training to handle a US Navy PT torpedo boat mans one of the twin 50 cal AA machine guns which form the ship's aerial defenses, circa 1944. The brand new Trawler Forum Burgee is now available for order. She is available for public viewing, and has portions of her hull cut away to display the cramped interior of the crew's quarters. [23] Enemy forces would use searchlights or seaplane-dropped flares to illuminate fleeing PT boats. Be sure to check website at www.savetheptboatinc.com PT-658 was named to the National Register of Historic Places on 04 September 2012. A PT boat (short for patrol torpedo boat) was a motor torpedo boat used by the United States Navy in World War II. PT-305 was cut down to 65 feet (20m) for use as an oyster seed boat in Crisfield, Maryland. Seventy years ago, on 21 April 1944, PT-305 arrived in the Mediterranean. These boats were never used by the U.S. Navy, and only about 50 were used by the Royal Navy; most were passed to other countries. PT-615 was returned to Elco after being sold and was heavily modified into a yacht, which was leased to actor Clark Gable. In July 1942, PT-48 (nicknamed "Prep Tom" and "Deuce") was assigned to MTBRON3(2). PT 617 was built too late to serve in WWII. Cost to the Government fully equipped $263,500. Depth measurements are from the plans horizontal base line which is slightly below the lowest part of the planked hull. Perhaps the most effective use of PTs was as "barge busters." In 1944, several Higgins 78-foot (24m) boats (PT222, PT-283, PT-284, PT-285, and PT-282) were converted, releasing PT-59, PT-60, and PT-61 for transfer back home to the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center in Melville, Rhode Island, for use in training in hull repair techniques. Maneuverability satisfactory, turning circle not determined photographically, estimated 300 yards. It covers PT boat hull design and construction, and provides hull test data as well as detailed analysis of the various PT boat designs.[13]. PT 48 is the only remaining 77' Elco PT-Boat and a member of the heroic WWII "Mosquito Fleet". The resulting PT boat designs were the product of a small cadre of respected naval architects and the Navy. (Photo by PhotoQuest/Getty Images) During WWII the US realized their PT boats had more potential than just simple torpedo dispensers. According to Robert McFarlane, the US Navy built the hulls of some PT boats partially from 3,000-year-old white cedar logs recovered from sphagnum bog in New Jersey.[10][11]. PT-459 ("Mahogany Menace") a Higgins 78-foot (24m) boat, was assigned to MTBRON 30 on 15 February 1944. [9], Due to the problem with ingot loading, a 185nmi (343km; 213mi) trial with the PTs fully fitted out was conducted on 12 August 1941. A Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) PT Boat Conference convened in May 1941 to discuss future PT characteristics. 03:33. The smaller boat proposal was to weigh no more than 20 tons so that it could be easily transported by larger cargo ships. Today, PT-796 is located at the Battleship Cove Naval Museum in Fall River, Massachusetts, in a Quonset hut-style building, protected from the weather, and up on blocks. PT-309 is located at the National Museum of the Pacific War / Admiral Nimitz Museum[39] in Fredericksburg, Texas, and was restored by the (now defunct) Defenders of America Naval Museum (DOANM). She was preparing to leave her cozy berth inside the corrugated steel boathouse. PT-305 was looking good, with a lifeboat on her foredeck, jauntily tied fast over one-half of her charthouse. Some 200 US gallons (760L) an hour were consumed at a cruising speed of 23 knots (43km/h), increasing to 500 US gallons (1,900L) per hour at top speed. On early series of boats, this cannon was mounted on the stern. The US Navy plans to procure a total of 48 Mark VI boats. The discussion on rounded doors and my post with a couple of shots of a WWII PT interior got me thinking somebody might like to see a bit more of what* an Elco PT boat actually looked like inside.*. [23] Afterwards, the PT mission in the Solomon Islands was deemed a success.[23]. The Japanese called them "Devil Boats". "), was named in honor of Frank Sinatra, with whom the boats' Commanding Officer met at a nightclub shortly before MTBRON 22 left New York for the Mediterranean Theatre. On the night of 13/14 October 1942, PT-48 engaged a Japanese destroyer at 200 yards (180m). The PT boat squadrons were nicknamed "the mosquito fleet". Huckins reported a profit of $28.60 on this transaction.[7]. Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 33.8 knots; maximum speed 43.8 knots with light ordnance load. These torpedoes and tubes were replaced in mid-1943 by four lightweight 22.5-inch-diameter (570mm) Mark 13 torpedoes, which weighed 2,216 pounds (1,005kg) and contained a 600-pound (270kg) Torpex-filled warhead. These beasts will propel the 50 ton boat at speeds up to 50 knots. By war's end, the PT boat had more "firepower-per-ton" than any other vessel in the U.S. Navy. That the Elco 77-foot design be considered acceptable for future construction provided changes in the lines are made to reduce the tendency to pound in a seaway, and the structure be strengthened in a manner acceptable to the Bureau of Ships. These features made it highly desirable due to the PT boat's ever-increasing requirement for increased firepower to deal effectively with the Japanese Daihatsu-class barges, which were largely immune to torpedoes due to their shallow draft. This is because the 1st and only training facility for PT Boat skippers and crews was in Melville, RI part of the town Portsmouth, RI. [3] In February 1915, this Hickman sea sled demonstrated 35kn (65km/h; 40mph) speeds in rough winter seas off Boston to both US and foreign representatives but again, he received no contracts. That the ordnance installation of future motor torpedo boats consist of two torpedo tubes, machine guns and depth charges. If you find that some photos violates copyright or have unacceptable properties, please inform us about it. In my humble opinion US PT-Boats and crews operating before and during WWII around Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands and many other Pacific island groups, did more damage to the Japanese military supply chain than anything else to save Australia from probable invasion and there is almost zero history of those events recorded The interior of PT-658 is divided below deck into eight watertight compartments separated by built-up plywood bulkheads (walls). 2. Common to all US PT boats were the two twin M2 .50 cal (12.7mm) machine guns. However, subsequent additions of weaponry offset this potential increase in top speed. [citation needed] Like many other victory claims by all parties involved (aircraft pilots, surface ships, submarines) this unclear verification was due in part to the Japanese military's policies of destroying military records. PT-308 (Higgins) had her stern sheared off by a collision with PT-304 during a night mission in the Mediterranean on 9 March 1945 and yet returned to base for repairs. Space available for four 21" torpedo tubes. Early PT boats (Elco PT20 through PT44) mounted Dewandre plexiglas-enclosed hydraulically operated rotating turrets. They were all to be approximately 50 tons, made of mahogany, and carry two .50-cal. PT Boat Interior Layout. Forward of the chart house of some early Elco 77-foot (23m) boats (PT20 through PT44) were twin .30 cal (7.62mm) Lewis machine guns on pedestal mounts. Motor torpedo boat PT-796, was laid down on 3 May 1945, launched on 23 June, and completed after the end of the war on 26 October as a 78-foot PT boat built by Higgins Industries of New Orleans, LA. Much of this destruction (121 boats) occurred at PT Base 17, on Samar, Philippines, near Bobon Point.[32]. Her external restoration was completed by the Texas group in 2002, and is to a high standard. The boats also used a lot of high octane gasoline for their size, making them too expensive to operate for a peacetime navy. The shallow depth meant Allied destroyers were unable to follow them due to the risk of running aground and the barges could be protected by an umbrella of shore batteries. The conference strongly recommended that no more Elco 77-footers be ordered until the tests had shown that they were indeed satisfactory.[8]. [26] Earlier when Sea Sleds were specifically excluded, Crouch had informed the Bureau of Ships that the Sea Sled was the best type of vessel for the job. Several saw service with the Philippine Navy, where they were named "Q-boats".[2]. Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 39.7 knots; maximum speed 44.1 knots with heavy ordnance load. He also granted permission for Elco, Higgins, and the Philadelphia Navy Yard to use his patented laminated keel, which increased hull strength, although neither Elco nor Higgins ever chose to use it on their boats. We are capable of reupholstering the seats in your bass boat back to original specs, or we can change out the color scheme, the most popular service offered is deck carpet replacement, choose from a variety of the carpets we carry. PT-658 is now fully functional and afloat, and is one of the two restored US Navy PT Boat that is operational today. All boats suffered from some sort of structural failure: forward chine guards ripped away, bottom framing under bows broken, side planking cracked [indicating lack of longitudinal strength], and other weaknesses. Even though the Elco 77-footers posted the fastest speeds, all seven Elcos suffered from structural damage and severe pounding causing the Board to recommend a redesign to correct these deficiencies. I'm studying English and Deutsch to become my second language. From a design standpoint, boats are more challenging to design than . Plans are for restoring the vessel to recreate the World War II appearance. [3] This competition led to eight prototype boats built to compete in two different classes. Prior to starring in the television series this boat was purchased as war surplus by Howard Hughes and was used as the camera chase boat when the Spruce Goose made its only flight. The ring mount was designed by both Elco and Bell, and designated Mark 17 Twin 50 caliber aircraft mount. The performance specification was to achieve 40 knots with an operating radius of 275 miles at top speed (550 miles at cruising speed). More information PT boat interior More like this Model Boats Building Boat Building Plans Utility Boat [citation needed]. In March 1941, during a heavy weather run from Key West to New York by Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2 (MTBRON2), Elco 70-footers pounded heavily in 8-to-10-foot (2.4 to 3.0m) waves even at moderate speeds, and seas continuously broke high over the bows. The success and ruggedness of the Huckins' 78-foot seagoing design is demonstrated by Squadron 26's constant ready-boat operations and Fleet torpedo boat training in the oceans around Midway and Hawaii during the last two years of the war. There PT-728 allows up to 49 tourists the chance to ride on a "PT boat". We promise fish will be wanting to jump aboard your boat! Maneuverability satisfactory with a turning circle of 336 yards (307m). U.S. Navy PTs were eventually fitted with Raytheon SO radar, which had about a 17nmi (20mi; 31km) range. Coincidentally, the PT-309 ("Oh Frankie! Operating personnel reported extreme discomfort and fatigue. Ability to make a maximum sustained speed of 31.4 knots; maximum speed 34.3 knots with heavy ordnance load. Just months later, the boat collided with a Japanese ship, killing two of his men. Current price is $675,000 USD. The first three of the new design (PT-95 through PT-97) were initially kept in the Jacksonville area for testing, resulting in several important modifications to the overall design (these boats were later assigned to Squadron 4 in 1942). The squadron acted as a diversionary force in Gulf Juan, and as an anti-E-boat screen in the Nice-Cannes area. But his fury and grief at the loss of two men sent him on a dangerous quest to get even. USN ELCO PT Boat Deck Stern Chocks (x2 per PT Boat). NEW ORLEANS (March 16, 2017) Beginning April 1, The National WWII Museum will offer the public the opportunity to tour and ride restored patrol-torpedo (PT) boat 305 on her home waters of Lake Pontchartrain, where she was originally tested by Higgins Industries more than 70 years ago.For the first time ever, visitors will be able to see and feel the PT boat experience, and learn about the . The exaggerated claims by Bulkeley about the effectiveness of the PTs in combat against larger craft allowed him to recruit top talent, raise war bonds, and caused overconfidence among squadron commanders who continued to pit PTs against larger craft. The population was thrust willingly into a role of background support for the troops fighting overseas. Back problems stemming from the incident required . Of the Elco boats, only three hulls (one restored) were known to exist as of 2016. George C. Sinn of Wildwood Crest, NJ on 9 October 1951 for $1,015.00. These first generation torpedo boats rode low in the water, displaced up to 300 tons, and had a top speed of 25 to 27kn (46 to 50km/h). They dominated a specific part of naval warfare, that of night warfare in coastal waters, but in that part they were essential because neither other vessels nor aircraft could perform as they did. The Huckins boat experienced a high pressure oil failure and had to go "Dead in the Water" in order to effect the repair. This article is about US Navy patrol torpedo boats in World War II. The Rear Mufflers. PT Boat PT-658 Deck Tour and Interior Tour shows details and closeups of all weapons and equipment on board. One of the quickest ways to brighten things up is to install marine LED lights. A group of PT Boat veterans banded together to restore her between 1995 and 2005, and the boat is now fully functional and afloat as a museum ship in Portland Oregon. Their answer was found in the 37mm Oldsmobile M4 aircraft automatic cannon cannibalized from crashed P-39 Airacobra fighter planes on Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. Lieutenant Kennedy was the first commanding officer of PT-59 after its conversion. Cleaning tools and tips to keep your boat looking good, bug free, and working well in a marine environment. Primary anti-ship armament on the standard PT boat was four 21-inch Mark 8 torpedoes, each had a 466-pound (211kg) TNT warhead and had a range of 16,000 yards (15,000m) at 36 knots (67km/h). [5], By September 1938 the U.S. Navy had received a total of 24 design proposals for the small boat and 13 design proposals for the larger 70-footer. Hampden. In late June 1945 the squadron was shipped to the U.S. for refitting and transfer to the Pacific, but the war ended while still in New York. These 16 rockets plus 16 reloads gave them as much firepower as a destroyer's 5-inch (127mm) guns (albeit without their accuracy). Her deck house was reconfigured to partially resemble an 80-foot (24m) Elco instead of its original Vosper 70ft configuration. Its maximum top speed was also to be 40 knots but specified operating radius was to be 120 miles at top speed and 240 miles at cruising speed. Squadron 22 was operating with the British Royal Navy Coastal Forces, and saw action along the northwest coast of Italy and southern coast of France. On 11 October 1940, an agreement between the Navy and Huckins was finalized. Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 22, or RON22, was transported to the combat theater aboard the USS Merrimack. The larger boat proposal was not to exceed 80 feet and was to carry at least two 21-inch torpedoes, four depth charges, and two .50-cal machine-guns. Wooden Boat Building. .. K. sdaf . On March 21, 1939, Sparkman and Stephens won the prize in the 70-foot class and Prof. George Crouch (for Henry B. Nevins, Inc.) had won the design proposal for the 54-foot class.[5]. Maneuverability satisfactory with a turning circle of 368 yards. Elco PT Boat: 80 Feet of Wood and Weaponry Weapons & Gear Manual Elco PT Boat: 80 Feet of Wood and Weaponry Of the nearly 400 fast, light and heavily armed patrol boats Elco made for the U.S. Navy during World War II, a few achieved notoriety and one survives today as a museum ship. The Huckins withdrew due to bilge stringer failure. The two boats were paired for night patrol near the . The primary anti-ship armament was two to four Mark 8 torpedoes, which weighed 2,600 pounds (1,179kg) and contained a 466-pound (211kg) TNT warhead. It has been released as PT 207 and PT 212 and maybe others. The cockpits of PT boats were protected by armor plate against small arms fire and splinters. Powered by three working 1,850-hp Packard V-12 gasoline engines, PT-658 . 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