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American PT Boats In World War II A Pictorial History Victor Chuli
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I!'T Boats In World War II A Pictorial History Victor Chuli
Schiffer Military/Aviation History Atglen, PA
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS With the fire at Elco's New Jersey plant several years ago and the dissolution of Higgins Industries in 1965, records and photographs concerning PT boats were either destroyed or disposed of. Therefore, all materials in this book had to be gathered painstakingly from private sources, museums and various departments of the government. To those individuals, who generously supplied me with unique stories and unusual photographs, I am most grateful. I gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to the following people for their courtesy and cooperation: Admiral William C. Specht (retired), who was in charge of the MTB Training Center at Melville, Rhode Island, during the war, was most helpful with his technical knowledge. The late "Boats" Newberry, his kindness during my visit to his PT Boat Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, enabled me to copy a large number of rare photographs. Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., the famous actor, who in spite of his busy world wide activities, took the time to write me several long
letters about his experience with PT boats in the Mediterranean. George Sprugel, Jr., who sent me his enlightening story on the development of the torpedo rack. James B. Stewart, an expert on post war PT boats having served aboard one during that period, furnished almost all the materials on that subject. Joe Lavastida and the late Josh Sherman, who carefully read over the manuscript, and helped with editing the first edition. Kathy Brawn for her help with editing the second edition. Victoria Mary Chun, my young daughter, who accompanied and helped me on my many research trips, thus making my traveling less of a chore. She also single handedly transferred the manuscript and captions of the second edition to computer disk. Susan Chun, my wife who helped in so many ways too numerous to name here. To all others who had assisted me and not mentioned here, please accept my sincere thanks.
Cover artwork by Steve Ferguson, Colorado Springs, CO PT 191 BAMBI AND BLOOM: By late 1943, the U.S. Navy had established a lethal force of PT boats in the Southwest Pacific theater, particularly at the forward base of Dreder Harbor on the Huon Peninsula of New Guinea. The PT squadrons assumed the grim task of interdicting enemy troop barges throughout the Solomon Sea area, resulting in an appalling execution of seaborne Imperial infantry. Exemplary of the combat was the voyage of PT 191 BAMBI commanded by Ensign Ramsey Ewing (USNR, of Squadron 12 in support of the Cape Glouster, New Britain invasion. In the company of PT 190 JACK O'DIAMONDS commanded by Lt. Ed Farley, USNR). They were returning from their patrol area in the Vitiae Strait when Japanese dive bombers intervened. In a day long running battle, Farley's 190 was able to avoid damage within the safety of a low cloud bank, while the less fortunate BAMBI was destined to bear the worst. The crew of PT 191 excelled. When Ewing was wounded, second officer Ensign Fred Calhoun (USNR) relieved him at the controls, and despite several near misses, he steered BAMBI safely through the falling bombs while the gunners shot down four of the attackers. Below decks, Motor Machinist Mate Victor Bloom secured the shrapnel damage to the engine room, doused fires and tended to the wounded, all the while maintaining BAMBI's engines at flank speed. Bloom's resolute demeanor in the grave event resulted in his citation for bravery with the Navy Cross. Eventually, the crews of Squadron 12 and their campaign cohorts of Squadron 21 would be cited in a Presidential Dinstinguished Unit Citation, the only PT squadrons to be so honored in their theater. The cover depicts BAMBI during her epic fight.
DEDICATION To Mother and Dad for the usual things and much more, much much more. Also to J.M. "Boats" Newberry, my mentor. Book Design by Ian Robertson. Copyright © 1997 by Victor Chun. Library of Congress Catalog Number: 96-72151 All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or used in any forms or by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems - without written permission from the copyright holder.
Printed in the United States of America. ISBN: 0-7643-0256-6 We are interested in hearing from authors with book ideas on related topics.
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CONTENTS Acknowledgments
004 006 007 010
Foreword .............................................. Introduction : . I · Pearl Harbor 2. The Philippines ·················································· 014 017 . 3 · Ml'dway 4. The Solomons , 020 5. The Aleutians ··················································· 028 031 . 6 · New GUI'nea 7. The Mediterranean ················································ 03 8 8. The English Channel 051 9. The Philippines (return) 055 10. Early Development 069 11. Construction ·············································· 075 12. Anatomy of the PT Boat : 083 115 . 13 . Camouflage . 14. Tactics and Formations 122 15. Last model 144 16. Export 147 17. Post War Period 151 18. Models 156 Appendix I: Motor Torpedo Boat Seamanship 162 Appendix II: Elco Design Drawings ·.. ·.. · 168 Appendix III: Postwar History of PT Boat Manufacturers 235 Appendix IV: Insignia 236
INTRODUCTION
FOREWORD
covered adequately in other books and magazines. I r commend At CLose Quarlers by Robert J. Bulkley, Jr. ( .S. Government Printing Office, 1962) for further reading. It cover the development and combat history of the PT boats admirably. The effectiveness and versatility of the PT boat were among the sen ations in the annals of the United States avy. They had more hours of actual combat with the enemy than any other type of ship. The types of PT boats used in the Navy during World War n were the Elco 77 and 80 footers and Higgins 78 footer. Their hulls were constructed of laminated mahogany with over 400,000 screws and glue to hold them together. Three Packard marine engines of 1500 hp. each powered the boats which had three crew and three rudders. Total fuel tank capacity was 3000 gallons of 100 octane
Twenty years have elapsed since the first printing of this book. In 1976, my book was the first nongovernment publication on the subject of PT boat. Only 1200 copies were printed. Most of the pictures in this book were used many times in later books by others. s more pictures and drawings were di covered, more materials were added to this second and enlarged edition. For example, the original profiles and deck plans of PT 810,811 and 812 are the only ones in existence. The previously published diagrams of tactics and formations were specifically declassified for me in order to he included in the first edition. It was my intention to keep the text in this book to a minimum for it is primarily a visual presentation of the subject. The prai e ,1Ild accolade, so de erving of the PT crew, were also omitted. This was done not to minimize their importance, but because they were
Five decades after World War ll, the heroic saga of the Patrol Torpedo Boat (PT Boat) begins to fade from our memorie , even though their effectiveness and versatility were among the sensational in the annals of the nited States Navy. The toll of enemy vessels taken by these speedy and reckless crafts is out of all proportion to their small size and relatively low cost. Although more than 800 PT boats were built in the United States during the war, only a few have survived the attrition of time. To PT boat veterans, [ hope this book will rekindle their nostalgic memories of those valiant years. To others, T hope it brings them a better understanding of these magnificent boats used by these intrepid crews throughout the war. Perhaps for a brief moment, we can return to those thrilling days of yesteryear and recall a fleeting wisp of glory. For one brief hining moment, we too can feel the salt spray on our faces and hear the deep-throated roar of the powerful Packard engines as the PT boats move out to make their rendezvous with destiny. Victor Chun 2584 Wellesley Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90064
I
Illk drawing of Lt. Kell Sharpe
6
s PT 327, which lOok part in the BailIe of
"rigao Strait. Courlesy of Ken Sharpe.
7
•
American PT Boats in World War II
Introduction aviation gasoline. The total weight of the boat was approximately 55 tons. PT boats operated from either a Tender or an island base. Both had experts to service the boats with engine overhaul, hull repairs, and replenishment of torpedoes and ammunition. The crew usually consisted of two officers and 12 enlisted men. Later, as more and heavier armament was added, the crew was increased to as many as 18. Usually 12 boats made up a squadron. There were 43 commissioned squadrons in World War II operating in all theaters of operation: South Pacific, Aleutians, Philippines lslands, Panama, English Channel and Mediterranean. The armament of PT boats consisted of a 40 mm Bofors cannon aft, twin .50 cal. machine guns in the port and starboard gun turrets, a 20 mm Oerlikon and a 37 mm automatic gun forward, depth charges, four torpedoes, small arms and hand grenades. Mortars and rockets were added later. PT boats were used as ambush vessels, hunters, marauders, spy transports, rescue boats, escort, ferrying, barge sinking, beach head invasions and seeking out and destroying enemy ships. During the writing of the first edition, [corresponded with Admiral William C. Specht, who was in command of the PT Boat Training Center, as well as other PT boat officers and men to insure the accuracy of my writing. Still, mistakes were discovered after publication. The worst of which were the picture of the Packard engine printed upside down and the "doctored" picture of PT 103 captioned as PT 109. [n spite of my diligence, mistakes will be made in the second edition. [ will accept full responsibility and welcome any new information you care to send me. Only then, the ultimate truth can finally be attained.
Proudly she waved, the PT boats carried her from the South Pacific 10 the English Channel.
"May the God we trust as a nation Throw the light of His peace and grace On a flag with its stripes untarnished, And with every star in place. (John Clair Minot). Courtesy afMichael Kalausky.
War time painting of a PT boat created by the Elco art department
10
prvnwte the Elco boats. Courtesy of Elco.
8
9
•
Chapter 1: Pearl Harbor
1
CHAff'
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PEARL HARBOR
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2000 tr(J~N~:
(Squadron 1 and 17)
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PT BOATS
The PT boats of Squadron / under way next to the USS Hornet, off Pearl HarbOl: Courtesy of the
ational Archives.
Diagrarn included in the combat report
10
the Comrnander-in-Chief of the
u.s.
/94/. Courtesy ofC.W. Faulkner.
JO
/I
Pacific showing the disposition of the fleet and PT boats on December 7,
American PT Boats in World War IJ
Elco 77 Joot PT boat cruising off Pearl HarbOl: Note the covered Lewis machine gun on the Jonvard deck. Courtesy of the
Chapter 1: Pearl Harbor
alional Archives.
H,./ileling at Pearl Harbor prior to the long trip to Midway, PT 28, together with the other boats oj Squadron /, ranJrom Pearl Harbor to Midway, a distance oj almost I.J()() miles, IInder their own power. They were reJlleled by a seaplane tender en route. This was the longest run that PT's had ever made. Courtesy of the National Archives.
PT 20 oj Squadron /, with pre-war markings, making a test nm before shipping to Pearl HarbOl: This boat saw action on December 7. /94/. Courtesy of the National Archives.
/2
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Chapter 2: The PhiLippines
THE PHILIPPINES (Squadron 3)
During those hectic early days of the wat; no combat photographers were on hand 10 record the daring exploits of the PT boats in the Philippines. Latel; drawings were made based on the experiences of Ihe PT boaters. This is one of the few paintings dOlle 01 thai time. Courtesy of Packard.
OPPOSITE: 011 April 8, 1942, Lt. Robert B. Kelly, the squadroll executive officer on board PT 34, at the eastern side of Cebu, encoulltered a Japanese light cruise!: Under heavyfire, two IOlpedoes were fired. Seen throl/gh binoculars by Kelly, two spouts of water appeared amidships. Courtesy of the Warner Research Center.
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American PT Boats in World War II
3 MIDWAY
PT 41, Squadron 3, skippered by Squadron Commander Lt. John D. Bulkekey, played a major role in the Philippines campaign. General MacArthur and hisJamily were "Iaken Olll oJthejaws oj death" on board Ihis boal. Lolel; Manuel Quezon, Presidelll oJthe Philippines Commonwealth, was also "rescued" on board PT 41. The end oj PT 41 came on a steep motmwin road 10 Lake Lonao. II was hauled Ihere 10 prevelll Japanese floal planes Jrom landing. As a Japanese Jorce was closing in, PT 41 had to be destroyed. Courtesy United States avy.
I' 12 oj Squadron I on palrol off the coasl ojMidway. On June 4. 1942, the brieJ encounler belween PT boals and Japanesejighlers resulled in Ihe destmclion oj one low
During the sea aC/ion at Subic Bay, PT 32, one oj Ihe six PT boals atlhe Philippines, appeared 10 damage a Japanese minelayel: II jinally became unseaworthy and was abandoned and deslroyed by gunfireJromlhe United Slates submarine PERMIT 10 avoid cap/1lre. Courtesy of the United States Navy.
16
II
I
'Zero. Courtesy of the National Archives.
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American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 3: Midway
The new Elco 77 Joot PT boats, arriving too lateJor the Bailie oj Midway, patrol the coast. Courtesy of the National Archives.
j,,"'lullset on June 10, 1942, after the conclusion oJthe Bailie oJMidway, two PT boats left the coast to embark 011 a unique bLllying mission. Each boat bore two n, ,,{fiIlS adorned wilh Ihe illsignia oJlhe rising SUII. To be buried wereJour Japanese lIaval aviators who had crashed all Midway. As the SUI! sellied gradually dowlI , 'I"/llse oJthe oceall, dispersillg its majeslic rays across the Pacific sky, Ihe PT boats moved slowly alii to deep water Ivith theirj7ags at half/nast. After the services ,II>\" (I chaplaill, three volleys were fired by the Marilles. The coffins were thell lowered genlly overboard. Whelll'l1en die bravelyJor their COUI1I1Y, even though their til he wrong, they sometimes are buried lI'ithJul1 milirary honors whel1the conditions oJ war perl'l1il. Painting by Lt. ommander Griffith B. Coale. Courtesy of IIKorporated.
Oil stora[!,e tanks and hanger burning after the Battle oj Midway, June 4-7. PT 22 oj Squadron I is ill theJoregroulld. Courtesy of the Bonte via PT Boat Museum.
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4
Chapter 4: The Solomons
THE SOLOMONS (Squadron 2,3(2),5,6,9, lO, II ,13, 19,20,23,27,28,31,32 and 37)
morning ofJuly 20, 1943, three zebra slriped PTboats of Squadron 10 were "',yfour B 25 medium bombers. The PTboalsfired althe planes.'I"IInkll'l~,they lapanese. One B 25 was hil and crashed. All three boals were lilt and PI 166 • /" {ire and burned. Courtesy of the PT Baal Museum.
A PTboal cruising in Tulagi HarbOl: RighI after Ihe successful landing ofthe Uniled Stales Marines on Guadalcanal and Tulagi on Augusl 7, 1942, Ihe PTboals sel up their firsl base al 71,dagi. They engaged in nightly ballies wilh Ihe Japanese cruisers and deslroyers, known as Ihe Tokyo Express, coming down the "Slot." Courtesy of the National Archives.
The aflermalh of the encounter between PT boaIS and B 25's.
ourtesy of the PT
Boat Museum.
1
The Elco 77footer (left) and the 80 footer (right) on board the S.S. Stanvoc Capetown sailed from New York /942. Courtesy of William C. Quinby.
20 21
10
Brisbane, Australia at the end of
Chapter 4: The Solomons
American PT Boats in World War 1I
PT 107 oj Sqlladroll 5 saw aClion allhe SOIOIllOIlS. She was deslroyed by fire allhe dock when Ihe exhallsl blasllighled Ihe gasoline on Ihe waler due 10 a deJeclive valve in Ihe Juelline. Courtesy of the niled States avy.
IIIl" only known piclllre oj PT 109 wilh nUlI/bers showing. II Ivas being Irlinshipped on board Ihe 5.5. Joseph SIC/ilIOn 10 Ihe SOLllh Pacific. Courtesy of Warner PT 121 oj Squadron 6 arrived inlhe SOLllh Pacific in lillie Jar Ihe lasl aClions wilh Ihe Tokyo Express al Clladalcanal. Courtesy of William C. Quinby.
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R,,\earch Center.
23
Chapter 4: The Solomons
American PT Boats in World War II
PT 109 on
0
mission offCuadalcanal. Courtesy of the Warner Research Center.
Liel.llenant John F Kennedy relaxed at the cockpil of his PT 109 of Squadron 2 based 01 Rendova. Courtesy of the Warner Research Center.
II
Three different views of the early Elco PT boats underway somewhere in lhe Pacific.
'I.
'ieptember 1943,
01
Tulagi jllst afler it
11'0.1'
pLl/ in commission. Lt. Kennedy sits in Ihe cockpit. Courtesy of the Warner Research
enler.
ote the Jack of radar dome on lOp of the flage mast.
PT 103 gelling a reflleling line from the USS Pocomoke (AV-9). PT 103 lVas SOi/lh of LT John F Kennedy's PT 109 in Blackell Slrait onlhe /light the PT 109 was rammed by Ihe Japanese deslroyer AMACIRI. Courtesy of the National Archives.
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American PT Boats in World War 11
Chapter 4: The Solomons
I I 174, Lt. Russel W Rome, fired four TOrpedoes at the Japanese destroyer and observed IWO explosions near Ihe Kolombangara shore. Note the eXira 40 i 1\1 Courtesy of the Warner Research olleclion.
1/1111
gun althe
Lt. Liebenow's PT 157, Ihe boatlhal picked up L1. Kennedyfrolll a native canoe near Palparan and Ialer picked up his crew on Olasana. Courtesy of lhe PT Boal Museum.
A Higgins boat, firsl used by Squadron 13. Courtesy of Ihe
L1. Charles Tilden (PT 43), a Iypical young skipper ofa PT bOal in Ihe South Pacific. He saw plell/y of aClion aI Iron BOl/oll1 Bay, al/acking Ihe Tokyo Express at nighl. On the nighl of JanuCIIY 2, 1943, his boat was hit by a Japanese des/lvyerJorcing the crew to abandon ship. One enlisled man was killed and 2 were missing. Tilden becall1e squadron commander on March I, 1944 and was awarded the Commendation Ribbon. Courtesy of lhe United
ational Archives.
States
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27
'Ivy.
Chapter 5: The Aleutians
5 THE ALEUTIANS (Squadron 1,13 and 16)
11>,,1//\ patrolling the sea
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--
10
keep the enemy from sellding reinforcements.
ourtesy of the
alional Archives.
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/1,,,,/11 in the Aleutians, sharing the sea with a PBY Cawlina. Courtesy of the United States Navy. PT boats based at Adak, ill the middle of the Alel/tiall chail/. The Alel/tiall weather is knowlI
28
10
be the worst ill the world. Courtesy of the United States Navy.
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American PT Boats in World War II
6 NEW GUINEA (Squadron 2,7,8,9, 10, 11,12,13,16,17,18,20,21,23,24,25,28,33 and 36)
Statiolled at AIIU, the PT boats "'ere shepherded by a seaplane tender which sl/pplied Ihem wilh ammunilioll, fuel alld repair service. They 11/oilltailled a vigilant patrol ill the cold waters ofOl/r 1I0rthem OLI/POSIS. Courtesy of the alional Archives.
Close-up view showing the intricale mechanism of the 40 mm gun usually mounted atlhe stem of the PT boat by strenglhening the after deck. It was mOSl effective in blowing up enemy barges.
7 /loatwith native seal/IS all board at base ill Morobe. Courtesy of the
30
ational Archives.
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American PT Boats in World War lJ
Chapter 6: New Guinea
I I /'If>. "Creen Dragon, .. oj Squadron 12 was operating Jrom Kiriwina, 011 the sonth coast oj New Britain. On March 12th and 13th, 1944. Lt. Alfred C. Vanderbilt in PT I II/nd LT CYrlls R. Toy/or in PT 193 shot down a Japanesej7oatplane. ourtesy of Buscher.
_-.
--
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II (IS/TE.· Screened by the overhanging trees and the camouj7age they have added. • '\1 lil'ed in bases they had hewed out oj the jungle with the aid oj natives oj (tlunea. Courtesy of the alional Archives.
PT 337 oJSquadron 24 was desiroyed by enemy shore batteries at New Cuinea. One Shell hit the {(Ink compartment and wel11through the engine room. The boat burst i/1/O j7ames and exploded after the crew got i/1/o the life raJt. Courtesy of the Nalional Archives.
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Chapter 6: New Guinea
American PT Boats in World War II
TOP: PT 337 (Ens. Henry W CUller) ofSquadron 24 lVas heading into Hansa Bay, NelV Guinea on March 7, 1944. An enemy shell hillhefuellOnk companmeni and lVelll Ihrough Ihe engineroom. Alllhree engines lVere knocked Olll and Ihe /(lIIk bursl illlo flallles. The crelV abandoned ship and gOI into Ihe small raft. Afterlhree days ofagon), frolll exposure, Ihe jive survivors, including Ens. CUllel; lVere picked up by a Catalina flying boal on Ihe momiug of the Illh. BELOW: A HIGGINS 78' PT boatundenvay somewhere in Ihe Pacific. Courtesy of the National Archives.
,fJ 26 1944 PT 130 (NelV Guinea Kmd) covered b)' Auslralian Beau{igillers, madefour daylimejirillg mns 011 15 Japanese supply barges at. Ihe I arfiten/oon OJ une, / ",,'lIItle , ' . . d I'k ,r, • d 'k Tl PT boal made 1\1 of Muschu Island. Six lVere abla~e andfour explosionsfollolVed. PT 130 relllmed 10 Ihe lendel; lOok onfresh suppltes all came ?ac aJ 1eI 01. Ie f(lur more rullS. compleling Ihe deslr/IClion of all 15 barges. Courtesy of the Untted Stales Navy.
I
/'1 144 of Squadron 8 relllmillg frolll a long nighl mission afler sinking several enem)' barges and pulling free another boallhat wenl aground on a reef Illpes around the bOllom of Ihe radar dome IVhich all Squadron 8 boals carned. Courtesy of Earle P. Brown.
34
35
ole Ihe while
American PT Boats in World War II
PT 328 of Squadron 2/. which was awarded /he Presidenlial Uni/ Citel/ionfor action in the New Guillea area.
Chapter 6: New Guinea
ourtesy of M. Kalausky.
-II! Ill/II gun crew on PT 331 ready to opell fire
.
~...,
10
· . oJ r troops by LCV'.I WI d LCM S a t 7ion g Islands . Courtesy of lhe cover /he landing
...
PT 149 pO/rols off/he coas/ of New Guinea /0 ca/ch allY enemy barges. On /he Iligh/ ofJuly 281h and 29/h, 1943, PT /49 wi/h PT /42, rail ill/a aj701illa of/hiny or more barges. aile fried /0 ram PT 149, bUi/he PTsallk i/ whell i/was only /enfee/ away. PT /49 was hit by a 20ll1m shell ill/he engine 1'00111. Ajler quick repair, i/ \Vas able to rew,." to Morobe. ourtesy of the nited Stales avy.
36
37
alional Archives.
Chapter 7: The Mediterranean
7 THE MEDITERRANEAN (Squadron 15,22,34 and 35)
PT boats all oilers arrived alld unloaded at Gibraltar in April, 1943. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
PT boat on board oiler ENOREE arrived and ullioaded at Gibraltar all April /3, /943. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
PT 208 off loading U.S. tallker E OREE at Gibraltar. April 23, 1943. Courtesy of
\ /'r hoa1 with striped camouflage at Salerno Bay.
E. DuBose.
38
Courtesy of the National Archives.
39
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 7: The Mediterranean
bn
Prior to the invasion of Sicily, Squadron 15 staged in Lake
Bi~erte,
outside of Karouba Air Base. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
ore the PT boat in the foreground camouflaged \IIith stripes. Courtesy of the United States
A PT boat lays a smoke screen arol/nd the invasion force at Salerno, lully. Courtesy of the
40
nited States Navy.
LI. Douglas Fairbanks, .h aboard PT 303. en roLlle to base at the island of Vis 011 the Dalmatian coast. /-Ie \lias returlling from a mission to set off rockets and smoke pots at different beachheads to confuse the enemy as to the aCluallanding spot. Courtesy of the PT Boal MuseuIll.
41
American PT Boats in World War lJ
Chapter 7: The Mediterranean
\'Iaadron 15 boars in Basria Harbor. The shark reerh belonged ro PT 203. Lt. Roberr Rmde was rhe boar capra in. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
Squadron 15 boars in Basria HarbOl: New Mk 13 rorpedo on launching rack in lefr foreground. Coul1esy of E. DuBose.
PT 557, one of the foar boats eqaipped with Thanderbolt gan moall/. Daring night patrol, the cOlI/inaoas tracers streaming from the Thunderbolt gun, like the beam ofa searchlight. can har! desrructive projecriles (20 mm) ar 1800 rounds per minure ar rhe enemy. Courtesy
of M. Kalausky.
PT boar base ar Basria, Corsica, jusr inside the seawall. From here rhe ell/ire Gulf of Genoa was wirhin easy parrolling disTance. Courtesy of M. Kalausky.
42
Ouring rhe invasion of Sourhern France, one fully loaded glide/; accidenrally released from rhe rowing plane, hir rhe warer wirh a splash and floared wirh rhe wing above lIarer. On board PT 562. which was STanding by during rhe rescue operarion. Seaman Isr Class Michael Kalausky rook rhis picrure. Coul1esy of M. Kalausky.
43
Chapter 7: The Mediterranean
American PT Boats in World War II
Squadron (Ron) 15 Higgins Boat departing on patrol against German supply lines along the Italian Coast. The Germans were using" F" Lighters and Italian ships to supply the German army along the Southern front of Italy. Convoys originated from Savona, Genoa and La Spezia. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
PT boat base at Bastiajust inside the seawall. Courtesy of M. Kalausky.
PT2 I 5 headedfor patrol out ofBastia. Notice new MK 13 torpedoes on stern using the open launching rack. TheforwOld torpedoes are the old style MK 8/Orpedoes with the very heavy compressed air launcha The cannon on the stern pad is an army 40 nun. There is a single 20 mm pointing up. Two twin 50 caliber machine guns are in the bridge turrets and a 37 mm British anti-tank gun is on the bow. Smoke generators are the cylinders on both sides of the stern. There is a single barrel .30 caliber machine gun I'nounted on the pOri torpedo tube. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
44
I'T 558, which /Oak part in the invasion of Elba, is armed with an Elco Thunderbolt gun. Courtesy of the United States Navy via Charles Minton.
45
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 7: The Mediterranean
PT 212 at floating drydock at La Maddalena, offthe North Coast ofSOIdinia. ourtesy of the United States Navy.
PT 559, equipped with the Elco Thunderbolt, a power driven mount holding four 20 1'11111 cannons, was commanded by Lt. Robert E. Nagle. It sank a German corvette with one torpedo at a 400 yard range on the night of September 13th and 14th, 1944, near Genoa l-IarbOl: Courtesy of E. DuBose.
Lt. Eugene S. A. Clifford's PT 204 was damaged after ramming a German mineslveeper during a patrol near Genoa. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
I-liggins PT 211, with rocket launchers, in Bastia I-Iarbo/; Corsica, Italy.
46
ourtesy of the United Slates
47
avy.
Chapter 7: The Mediterranean
American PT Boats in World War II
--
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--.
-- _.--. . . -
-- - -
This is the advallced operatillg basefor ROil 15-22-29 at Bastia, Corsica. This photo is of ROil 15 takell durillg the Fall of 1943. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
MallufaclL/red by the Higgills Boat Company in Nell' Orlealls, this Higgills Boat was probably 011 an acceptance run in Lake POllchartrain. There are 110 torpedoes, gUlls or depth charges. III fact, there is 110 u.s. Navy furllished ordillance 011 the boat. Courtesy of . Du Bose.
This is USN Chief Motor Mechanic Frellcllie Dusell directillg the installatioll of a rebuilt ellgine package in a Squadron (Ron) 15 Boat atthe Karouba Base ill Bizer/e, North Africa, Tunisia. This was an air base for French seaplalles. After Rommell surrelldered, Ron 15 established a major overhaul base, Repair Base 12, using the aballdolled aircraft hallgers and quarters. This was also the staging base for the invasioll of Pantelleria and later Sicily. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
teft, Lt. John Mwty, Celltel; Lt. (JC) Dick O'Brien. Right. Lt. Cdr. Stallley Bames. Stanley Barnes, Squadroll Commander of Ron 15 alld ]illally Commander of ROil 15-22-29 which were named as a task IIlIit. John MUll)' 11'0.1' Exec. Off. of Ron 15. f)ick 0 'Brien was Boat Captaill of PT 205 alld thell Divisioll CommandeJ: The picture was taken outside of the Squadron Office at Madellella Islalld Base. All three otficers were graduates of the Naval Academy. Courtesy of E. Dubose.
t.
Left, Lt. Normall Hickman. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
48
ROil 15 Boats lIested in Bastia HarbOl: The paillt on the boll' was part of identificatioll for frielldly aircraft. The boll' had a 4 foot lI'ide yellow stripe and the stem a 4 foot wide red stripe. Courtesy of E. DuBose.
49
American PT Boats in World War II
8 THE ENGLISH CHANNEL (Squadron 2 (2) and 30)
Squadron 15 Higgins boat tied lip to the Bille CrollO on Capri during the balliefor Naples in September, 1943. Coul1esy of E. DuBose.
Lt. Edwin A. DuBose of Squadron 15 at the Mediterranean was awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross (British) "For extraordinary heroism in action as a commander of a Division of MOlOr Torpedo Boats engaged in operations against enemy coastal traffic offthe west coast ofItaly in March and April 1944. The exceptional heroism, intrepidity and oil/standing devotion 10 dw)' displayed by Lieutenant DuBose were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service. " Courtesy of E. DuBose.
PT 199 carrying Admiral Harold R. Stark to invasion beachhead in France. On D Day. PT boats took part as screen forces in the invasion of ormandy and escorted minesweepers 10 clear a sea lane 10 the beaches. Courtesy of the ational Archives.
50
51
American PT Boats in World War II
A PT boat escorts ships transporting salvage units to Cherbonrg. Courtesy of James A.
Chapter 8: The English Channel
icholson via PT Boat Museum.
PT boats of Squadron 34 at the IVh([lf at Portland Bill, England, the Royal Navy's torpedoes base. There they got their "fish." Courtesy of Squire.
British motor gun boats aud American PT boats at the IVh([lf at POrlland Bill after D Day. Courtesy of
PT 509 assisted in the rescue after USS TIDE, a mine sweepe/; was hit by a magnetic mine planted by German E boats near St. Marcou! The PT boats, lVith their wooden hulls and shallolV draft, were the only vessels that could move safely through magnetic minefields. Howeve/; four United States PT boats lVere destroyed by acoustic and pressure mines. Courtesy of the ational Archives.
52
Squire.
53
American PT Boats in World War II
9 THE PHILIPPINES (return) (Squadron 8,9,10,12,16,17,18,20,2\ ,23,24,25,27,28,3\ ,33,36,38,39 and 40)
PT 313 Squadron 22 taken offfrom the coast of France, 1944. Courtesy of Bill Hindle.
PT /9/ refueling IIIhile undenvay between Palau and lite Leyte Gulf. Courtesy of the
PT 504, Squadron 34, placed in service January II, 1944 took parr ill picking lip survivors of destroyer escorr R/ H Navy.
54
11110
days after D Day. Courtesy of the United Slales
55
alional Archives.
Chapter 9: The Philippines (return)
American PT Boats in World War Il
Lr. (jg.) DOllald Maley's PT I061eavillg base or Milldoro Jar parrol dury.
all May
15, 1945, ir shelled rhree Japanese PT's hiddell inrhe cove ar Norrhem Davao Gulfalld
rerrhem all fire. Courtesy of Earle P. Brown.
Ensigll Peru R. Cadds PT 131 preparillg Jar rhe upcomillg bal1le oj Surigo Srrair. Durillg rhe bal1le, PT 131 's radar picked up rhe advallcillg Vice Admiral Shoji Nishill/uras raskJorce. Courtesy of the ational Archives.
Durillg rhe srarr oj rhe Bal1le ojSurigao S'rair, a 4.7 illch shell kllocked rhe 37 mm gUll COII/plerely off irs //IOUllr all rhe bow oj Lr. (jg.) Joseph A. Eddills' PT 152, Jarally woullded rhe gUllllel; srulllled rhe loader alld ser fire 10 rhe boar. After rhe fire was pur aLII. rhe boar .I"rill made 24 knors back ro base. Courtesy of the United States avy.
56
Wirh Lr. E.J. Pope warelling, a creWlllall is painrillg all rhe Jreighr cars, which PT 134 desrroyed. PT 134 and PT 348 el11ered rhe heavily deJended harboroJCebu Ciry. Whell rhey gar wirhill half a mile oj rhe wharf, several gUlls opelled Up ollrhemJrom shore. 71Je PT boars rumed aroulld alld fired back. They desllvyed several barges and ser 111'0 Jreighr cars abla:e beJore elearillg our oj rhe harbol; Courtesy of the National Archives.
57
Chapter 9: The Philippines (return)
American PT Boats in World War II
During amphibious operations on Mindom, PT boats lVere also used in the rescue operation after a LSTlI'as hit by a Japanese suicide plane. Courtesy of the
nited States
avy.
PT 523 rescued Ens. Crandell at Leyte. Onrhe evening oJOctober 27, 1944, PT 523 lVas on patmlnorth oJLeyte in a heavy rain. Four Japanese planes bombed and straJed the boar. Eight men aboard lVere killed, three officers, six men and a lVar correspondell/ lVere 1V0unded. Courtesy of the nited States avy.
CrelV oj PT 330 at 5ubic Bay, March, 1945. PT boar base ar Mindoro, Philippines. Courtesy of the PT BOal Museum.
of Reeks.
58
59
ourtesy
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 9: The Philippines (return)
"FebruQ/Y, 1945, we had been on patrol in Manila Bay the night before, and we stayed umil daylight. Coming ow ofManila Bay between Corregidor and Bataan Peninsula we saw rwo people in the water. The Japanese on the left was one of them..
They kept their backs turned to us as we approached and drifted up to them. When we were close, we called to them. At that time they turned to face each other, each held the head of the other under water, trying to drown each other. When this did not work, the other man took a knife out of his waistband, plunged it into the left side of his abdomen and pulled it across to the right side. He then tried to hand the knife to the man on the left in the picture, but the knife slipped from his hand and sunk as he tried to pass it. We took aboard the survivor. A few miles further, still heading west, we picked up the Japanese on the right. He was a nice, little, inoffensive fellow. On the way back to Subic Bay they were held, hands bound, on the foredeck. The one on the left crawled across the deck and put his temple up against the carbine being held on them by one of the crew sitting on the 20 mm ready box on the starboard side forward of the chart house. He was asking to be killed. As [ said, the one on the right was a gentler man. Just after this picture was taken, he pulled out of his pocket a straight razor, barber scissors, and comb, and offered to stay with us as our barber. I guess we did not search him very well. Lt. Newcomb is indicating to the prisoners they should smile for the camera." Photo and story courtesy of E.H.
Clusler of PT boats lashed IOgelher near their lenderfor refueling and repair al Leyte, Philippines. Courtesy or the National Archives.
Duke Reeks.
60
6/
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 9: The Philippines (return)
PT boat service insignia outside the opera/ion hut of Squadron 3. the first
10
reach ti,e Solomons. PT Boal Museum.
On/he afternoon of December 10. 1944. PTs 323 and 32711'ere undenvay a/ Ley/e Glliffor pall'ol s/Cllion when fall I' Japanese planes auacked them. As PT 327 turned one way, PT 323 tumed the other way. One plane crashed illTO PT 323 admidship. damaging the boat beyond repail: Li. (jg.) Herbert Sladlel; the boat captain. was killed; Ens. William I. Adelman, the second officel; was missing; limen were wounded. PT 327. under the command of Li. Ken Sharpe, picked up the survivors. Courtesy of E.H. Reeks.
PT 234 off the COC/SI off Mindoro. Philippine Islands. Courtesy of Charles H. Lake, Executive Officer of PT 234.
62
PT boa/s and paratroopers at Corregidol: Painting by Dwight C. Sheplel: Courtesy of the United States Navy.
63
Chapter 9: The Philippines (return)
American PT Boats in World War II
General MacArthnr is showlZ arriving at Corrigidoraboard PT 373 on March 2, 1945. On the right is General Carlos P ROll1nlo, cOllll1lCIIlding General of the Philippines' forces. Courlesy of the United Slates Air Force.
PT 525, with General Douglas MacArthur on board, ready to head for Taeloban, Leyte, on October 24, /944. The boat captain of PT 525 was Lt. Alexander VI! Wells,
64
65
USNR. Courtesy of the IYT Boat Museum.
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 9: The Philippines (return)
Japanese prisoners picked up by a PT boatllear Tarakan Island. Courtesy of the National Archives.
General Douglas MacArthur aboard PT 525 which took hilll ashore at Tac/obau, Leyte. Lt. General Waller Krueger; Commanding General Sixlh Artuy, is shown beside hilll. Courtesy of the United States Navy.
Burning oj PT boats at Samar Island after World War II. Courtesy of K.L. Simmons.
66
67
American PT Boats in World War II
10 EARLY DEVELOPMENT
PT 620 made a trial high speed rIIn out of Sasebo HarbOl; Japan, just before she was turned over to the South Korean Navy. Courtesy of the
ational Archives.
Fogal Boat Yard, Inc. built the 58 foot PT I and PT 2 based on Professor George Crouch s design for Henry 8.
Sowh Korean PT boats at Chinlwe. Courtesy of R.F. Murray.
68
69
evins, Ine. Courtesy of the 1"1' Boat Museum.
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 10: Early Development
Fisher Boat Works built the 58 fool PT 3 and PT 4 based on Ihe same design as PTI and P72. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
The aluminum hull 81 foot PT 7 and PT 8 were built by Ihe PhiLadelphia Navy Yard based on the Bureau of Ships , design. Courtesy of the Bureau of hips.
In 1939, Higgins Industries, Inc. received a contract to build the 81 fool PT 5 and PT 6 of the Sparkman and Stephens design.
The Scott-Paine 70 fool boat was purchased from England by Elco and subsequentLy designated PT 9. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
70
71
Chapter 10: Early Development
American PT Boats in World War II
PT20 was rhefirstlarger 77 Joot boar to cany rheJour standard 21" diarnerer torpedo tubes. During a comparative service tesr known as rhe Plywood Derby, PT 20 came in first with an average speed oj 39.72 knots Jor rhe 190 rnile course. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museulll.
PT 9 was modified ro Unired Stares Navy configuration. Ir was placed in service with PT 3, on July 24, 1940, in Squadron I. Courtesy of the PT BOal Museum.
The Hu.ckings PT95 oJSquadron 4, which was rhe rraining squadron at Melville, Rhode Island. None oJrhe Huckins boars were used in combat. Courtesy of the PT 10 ro PT 19 were builr by Elco based on rhe Scali-Paine design at $220,000 each, using rhree Packard 1200 Hp, V 12 marine engines. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
72
Bureau of Ships.
73
American PT Boats in World War II
11
/!
CONSTRUCTION
After getting the go ahead signal from the Navy, the assembly and production schedule of the Elco PT boat worked so smoothly that almost every boat was not only delivered ahead of contract time, but also exceeded all performance requirements. A rather unique method of hull construction saved many hours in assembly.
Hulls were built bottom up, then turned over and the engines were installed. The cabin, deck, superstructure and equipment were then added. Like airplanes, the PT boats were assembled on production lines from prefabricated components. The pictures following illustrate the construction of PT boats.
The different hull design of the Higgins boat, as compared to the Elco, enabled it to run in heavier sea. it could also tunt tighter rnaking il nwre maneuverable. Howeve/; the Higgins could not mQ/ch Ihe speed of an Elco boal. Courtesy of the National Archives.
Modern wartime production line
LMACINTY!=\\:
After Ihe /Wo sea Irails, known as the "Plywood Derbies," Ihe Navy wanled a heavier and longer boal. Elco buililhe 80 fOOl rype, a different design from Ihe 77 foollype, as the standard boal from this poill! on. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
74
Courtesy of Elco
75
Chapter 11: Construction
American PT Boats in World War II
HULL CONSTRUCTION SEQUENCE ~9~~~UI~
' - _ - ' r "__~---"'--=--~'~'=
70 fool PT boal 's main shop - looking nonh. Courtesy of Elco.
Courtesy of the United States Navy.
Courtesy of Elco.
Courtesy of
leo.
FirSI stage - hull conslruclion. Courtesy of Elco.
Courtesy of Elco.
76
Courtesy of Elco.
77
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 11: Construction
After the hull of the boat was completed, the decking was installed. In the foreground, the almost completed day room callopy with allached gun turret rested temporarily on the bow ofallother boat. Note the bealltijulworkmallship 011 these boats. Courtesy of the Bureau of Ships.
Section of maill shop - looking north. Courtesy of leo.
77 foot PT boats I//Ider cOllstructioll. Main shop - lookillg east. Courtesy of Eleo.
78
79
Chapter 11: Construction
American PT Boats in World War Il
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The PT 103, by Elco Boat Works, making a trial run. The testing of each boat after production was meticulous. LiteraJly thonsands of trials were run on hundreds of boats. For each run over the measured course, over 40 different readings, such as manifold pressures, change of trim, position of the bow wave, helm angle, accelerations and relative air speed, were recorded. Also, there were nowny special trials to test every possible improvement. Courtesy of the PT Boar Museum.
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Elco'g monthly oulpul of PT's_ Some of boats on chari lure experimental variation~, other. u-ere lnJilt for Russia WIder lend-lease. Of the 772 boals built in U.S., 398 were produced by Elco.
This chart displays the total outpUl of Elco PT boats during World War I/. Courtesy of Elco.
80
8J
American PT Boats in World War II
12 ANATOMY OF PT BOAT
The Elco "slipper" was instal/ed at the stem of this boat in 1945 for trial. Note the three mOl/nting strLllS which hold it in place. It was designed 10 improve The boat pet!ormance by helping it plane more easily. It was /lot adopTed as STandard insTal/ation. Courtesy of the Warner Research Cenler. A rare photograph ofM/: Henry R. Sutphen, Executive Vice-
President of Elco. He went TO EI/gland in 1939 TO pu.rchase the SCOT/-Paine boat, which was later designated PT 9. Courtesy of Elco.
OPPOSITE:Throu.ghoI/T World War II, variations of Three types of PT boaTS were used in combaT. They were Elco 77 footers, Elco 80footers and Higgins 78fooTers. Different views of These boats are shown here. Courtesy of the United Slates Navy.
82
83
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
ELCO 80'
Courtesy of Robert Ferrell. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
Courtesy of Robert Ferrell. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
84
85
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
American PT Boats in World War II
HIGGINS 78' I!
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86
87
11' •
I nuUI r 1 '. I f.C' Or .. ,
American PT Boats in World War 11
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
HUCKINS
Huckins PT boat practices laying a smoke screen. Courtesy of the National Archives.
PT 297 saw action at Mindoro. December /944. Note the heavy compressed air launchers on top of the torpedo tubes. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
PT 95 at Jacksonville. Florida. Courtesy of the Bureau of Ships.
88
89
American PT Boats in World War II
l----.r::..
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Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
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£Ico and Higgins boars were rhe rwo main rypes used. This side by side drawing clearly shows rhe differelJ1 deck arrangemell1 ofrhe rwo boars. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
90
The bridge, or cockpir, was rhe only area ofrhe boar prorecred by sreel armor plares. The officers. infairness 10 rhe men srarioned ourside rhe bridge, had rhe armor piares removed ro boosr rnorale. Inside rhe cockpir is rhe insrrumenl pauet. The rhree gauges on lOp are rachomerers rhar indicared rhe rpm of each engine. The gauges ar rhe borrom indicare manifold pressure. The panel left of rhe gauges is rhe conrrol for firing rOlpedoes. The elecrrical box jusr rigla of rhe sreering wheel is rhe connecrion ro rhe radio for sending and receiving on rhe bridge. The rhrorrles for rhe engines are 10caredjLlsr1O rhe righr ofrhe gauges. Three compasses are moul1fed in rhe cockpir. They are nor 100 dependable excepr in a calli/ sea. The door arrhe righr leads 10 rhe chan house. To gerrhe boarrllldellvay, rhe skipper shoLlld firsrmake cerrainrharrhe rhree rhrorrles are in uell1ral. Then he signals rhe machinisr 's mares below inrhe engine room ro sran rhe engines and run rhem ar idling speed. A seaman moves forward and aft ro casr off rhe lines. The skipper rhen slowly advances rhe rhree rhrorrle knobs wirh rhe heel ofhis palm. The engine-relegraph slor jLlsr ahead ofeach rhrorrle changes fromnell1ral ro ahead which signals rhe engine 1'0011/10 shifr gears. The needle on rhe RPM dial creeps higher as rhe PT boar swings owfroll/rhe dock iuro rhe bay. The speed ofrhe boar can uow be adjusred by moving rhe rhrorr/e knobs. The seamanship of rhe skipper is derermined by how he manipulares rhe rhrorrle and rhe sreering wheel.
91
American PT Boats in World War Jl
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
Jusr ro rhe righr ofrhe bridge is rhefD/ward Min .50 caliber machine gun rurrer. The wbular limir srop around rhe wrrer is ro prevelJl rhe gunsfrom shooring up rhe boar. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
Ar rhe exrreme righr side ofrhe bridge is rhe bridge blinker key (wirh cover opened). Ir is used ro send lighr sigl1als. Courtesty Eko.
The Inrerior ofrhe bridge of a Higgins 78foorer. I. Flux gare compass, 2. Pioneer compass, 3. Announciaror and rhrorrle, 4. Insrrumenr panel, 5. Speaking rube ro chan house, 6. Torpedo direcror srand, 7. Signaling searcltlighr, 8. Remore conrrol. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
To increase fire powel; a 40 mm gun is mounted ar rhe srern ro replace rhe 20 111111 gUll. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
92
93
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
American PT Boats in World War II
The cylillder lIext 10 the 40 mm gun is a smoke generatol: Courtesy of the Robert Ferrell.
OPPOSITE: Close-lip view showillg derail of the /\ViII .50 caliber machille gllllS turret. Note the steel rod frame the gUlls are mounted 011. Courtesy of the ational
ABOVE: 40 mm ammullitioll racks aboard PT 174. Courtesy of the Warner Research Center.
Archives.
94
95
American PT Boats in World War 1l H1u w
Chapter 12: Anatomy ofPT Boat
1r
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Drawing ofcompartmentation of £Ico 80footel:
Forepeak showillg sea anchol: Courtesy Robert Ferrell. 5" Rocketlallllcher alld 37ml1l gllll are mOllllted at the bow ofa Higgills boat. The laller were the sallIe type ofgUll used in the Bell Airacobra (P-39) aircraft. Courtesy PT Boat Museum.
Close-lip view of 37 111m shells used on board late model PT boats. The shell with black color projector denotes armor-piercing (A.P.) and the pointed projector denotes high explosive (HE). Both could be filled with tracer for observatioll offire. The 37 mm M4 call1lOIl, built by Americall Armamellt Company (originally for P 39 aircraft), illcorporated a 30 round magazine, and had a rate offire of 150 rounds per minute. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
96
CrewJ' quarters starboard aft showillg lockers alld berths. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
97
ourtesy of the United Slates
avy.
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
American PT Boats in World War 11
Crew:S qllarters berlhs close-lip. Counesy of Roben Ferrell.
/
ta:. . ,
.)
Radio illstallatioll ill chari room. Counesy of Roben Ferrell.
Close-lip oj radio receivel: Counesy of Elco.
Radareqllipmellt clljorlvard starboard comer oj chart room. Counesy of Roben Ferrell.
Officers' head. Counesy of Roben Ferrell.
Officers' state room. Counesy of Roben Ferrell.
98
99
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
Auxiliary compass in chari room. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
Engine room looking Jonvard. Electrical panel at left oj laelder Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
JOO
Engine room pOri aft showing exhaust stacks. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
JOJ
American PT Boats in World War Il
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
Starbowr! engine general vie IV. Note seat for engineer at the top of engine and shifTing levers. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
A close up view of the searchlight and the antenna lIIount. Courtesy Elco.
To decrease the noise of the three POIVelfnl Packard engines, six IIIII./flers were inSTalled at the stern ofthe boat. The linkages above the three lIIufflers cOllld eiTher direct The exhaust gas through the lIIu./flers IInder waTer or sTraighT out TO increase POIVeJ: Courtesy of Elco.
102
Sometillles the aft TOrpedo tubes were replaced with the depth charge racks. Depth charges are not shown in this picture. Courtesy ofElco.
103
American PT Boats in World War II
I
,
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat PT 20 type - PT's 20-68 (Elco Boatworks). Length 77 feet; beam 19' 11 "; draft 4'; displacement 35 tons. (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i)
Guns: Four .50 caliber air-cooled machine guns in two twin, hand operated scarf ring mounts. One.45 caliber Thompson ubmachine gun. One or two Lewis machine guns mounted forward. Two .30 caliber Springfield rifles. Thirteen .45 caliber Colt Automatics. Ammunition: .50 caliber - 10,000 rounds per gun . .45 caliber - 4,000 rounds .. 30 caliber - 1,200 round Torpedoes: Four 21 inch Mark 8-3C and D, speed 27 knots, range 13,500 yards. Torpedo Tubes: Four 21 inch Mark 18-1 bow launching. Depth Charges: Eight Mark 6 (300 pound charge). Depth Charge Racks: Eight individual side launching lype "C" or two (four charges each) tern launching. Smoke screen Generator: Mark 3, capacity 32 gallon F.S. mixture. Fresh Water: 180 gallons in two 90 gallon tanks. Fuel: 3,000 gallons high octane gasoline.
U) (k)
Lubricating Oil: 30 Gallons. Fresh Provisions: Four days' rations for nine men and two officer.
(I)
Communications: Blinker tube, semaphore, M.P. signal light, 8-inch searchlight, GF5, RU7 or TCS voice radio sets, range about 75 miles.
(m) (n)
Radio Direction Finder: One R.D.F. per division. Machinery: main engines - three 1,200 hp, Packard 4-M2500. Generator - I Lawrence 5-kw generator, air cooled. Power - four 6
(0)
volt storage batteries. Shaft - three shaft, three propellers (all right hand). Rudders - three rudders, mechanical steering. Cruising Radius: Full load maximum speed, 41 knots, 259 miles. Full load maximum sustained speed, 35 knots, 358 miles. Full load one engine, II knot, 1050 miles.
I
The PT boat usually operated atllight. ThereJore, radar was all extremely illlpor/alll piece ojequipmellt illiocatillg ellemy ships. A close up vielV oJthe radar mast sholVs the detail oJ the radar ref/ector and rotatillg pOlVerullit. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
This is IVhat the illside oj the machille gUll /IIrret looks like. Courtesy of Robert Ferrell.
AJlerthe PT boat reached the war ~Olle, the additiollal equipmelll alld armamelll illstalled lVere limiled ollly by the illgelluily oJthe crelV alld IVhatthey could get their hallds all. SOllie PT boats at the Solomolls had alllheirtorpedo lubes removed alld illstalled I\VO 40 111/11 gUllsJore alld aft, alollg \vith Jour additiollalllVill .50 caliber machille gull.~. Other boats had ba~ookas illstalled 011 board (see picture). The stalldard equipment Jumished wilh each type oJ boat is listed olllhe JollolVillg pages. Courtesy of the National Archives.
Cut-away profile view oj £Ico 80 JOOIe!: Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
104
105
American PT Boats in World War 11
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat 2. PT type - PT's 71-94 (Higgin Industries). Length 78 feet; beam 20'8"; draft 5'3"; displacement 35 tons. (a) Guns: Four .50 caliber air cooled machine guns in two twin, hand operated scarf ring mounts. One 20 mm Oerlikon mount. One .45 caliber Thompson submachine gun. Two .30 caliber Springfield rifles. Thirteen .45 caliber Colt Automatics. (b) Ammunition: 20 mm - 1200 rounds ..50 caliber - J 0,000 rounds per gun . .45 caliber - 4,000 rounds .. 30 caliber - 1,200 rounds. (c) Torpedoes: Four 21 inch Mark-3C and D, speed 27 knots, range J3,500 yards. (d) Torpedo Tubes: Four 21 inch Mark 19 bow launching. (e) Depth Charges: Eight Mark 6 (300 pound charge). (f) Depth Charge Racks: Eight individual side launching type "c." (g) Smoke Screen Generator: Mark 3, capacity 32 gallon F.S. mixture. (h) Fresh Water: 200 gallons. (i) Fuel: 3,000 gallons high octane gasoline. (j) Lubricating Oil: 30 gallon. (k) Fresh Provisions: Four days rations for nine men and two officers. (I) Communications: Blinker tube, semaphore, M.P. signal light, 8 inch searchlight, TCS voice radio set, range about 75 miles. (m) Radio Direction Finder: One R. D. F. set per boat. (n) Machinery: Main engines - three 1,200 hp Packard 4-M2500. Later increased to 1,500 hp. Generator -two 1/2-kw water cooled generator. Power - four 6 volt storage batteries. Shafts - three shafts, three propellers (all right hand). Rudders - three rudders, mechanical steering. (0) Cruising Radiu : Full load maximum speed, 41 knots, 259 miles. Full load maximum u tained speed, 35 knots, 358 miles. Full load one engine, II knots, 1050 miles.
Elco Iigh/IVeight 20 IIIIIIIIIOUI/t.
ourtesy of the
alional Archives. 201ll/1/ Oerlikon gl/I/ 1II0uI/ted at the stern oj the PT boat. It was replaced with a 40 mm gUI/ 01/ later boats. Courtesy of the 3tional Archives.
106
107
Chapter 12: Anatomy ofPT Boat
American PT Boats in World War II PT 95 type - PT's 95-102 (Huckins Yacht Corporation). Length 78 feet; beam 19'5"; draft 5'; displacement 34 tons. (a) Guns: Four .50 caliber air cooled machine gun in two twin, hand operated scarf ring mounts. One 20 mm Oerlikon mount. One.45
PT 103 type - PT's 103-196 (Elco Boatworks). Length 80 feet; beam 20' 8"; draft 5'; displacement 38 tons.
(b)
caliber Thompson submachine gun. Two .30 caliber Springfield rifles. Thirteen .45 caliber Colt Automatics. Ammunition: 20 mm - 1200 rounds .. 50 caliber - 10,000 rounds per gun . .45 caliber - 4,000 rounds .. 30 caliber - 1,200 rounds.
(b)
Guns: Four .50 caliber air cooled machine guns in two twin, hand operated scarf ring mounts. One 20 mm Oerlikon mount. One .45 caliber Thompson submachine gun. Two .30 caliber Springfield ri fles. Thirteen .45 caliber Colt Automatics. Ammunition: Same as PT 20 type.
(c) (d)
Torpedoes: Four 21 inch Mark-3C and D, speed 27 knots, range 13,500 yards. Torpedo Tubes: Four21 inch Mark 19 bow launching.
(e) (f) (g)
Depth Charges: Eight Mark 6 (300 pound charge). Depth Charge Racks: Eight individual side launching type "c." Smoke Screen Generator: Mark 3, capacity 32 gallon FS. mixture.
(c) (d) (e)
Torpedoes: Four 21 inch Mark-3 and D, speed 27 knots, range 13,500 yards. Torpedo Tubes: Four 21 inch Mark 18-1 bow launching. Depth Charges: Eight Mark 6 (300 pound charge).
(f)
(h) (i)
Fresh Water: 200 gallons. Fuel: 3,000 gallons high octane gasoline. Lubricating Oil: 30 gallons. Fresh Provisions: Four days rations for nine men and two officers.
(g) (h)
Depth Charge Racks: Eight individual side launching type "c." Smoke Screen Generator: Mark 3, capacity 32 gallon FS. mixture. Fresh Water: 200 gallons.
(i) (j)
Fuel: 3,000 gallons high octane gasoline. Lubricating Oil: 30 gallons.
U) (k)
(I) Communications: Blinker tube, semaphore, M.P. signal light, 8 inch searchlight, TCS voice radio set, range about 75 miles. (m) Radio Direction Finder: One R. D. F set per boat. (n) Machinery: Main engines - three 1,200 hp Packard 4-M2500. Generator -two II2-kw water cooled generator. Power - four 6 volt storage batteries. Shafts - three shafts, three propellers (all right hand). Rudders - three rudders, mechanical steering. (0) Cruising Radius: Full load maximum speed, 41 knots, 259 miles. Full load maximum sustained speed, 35 knots, 358 miles. Full
(a)
(k)
Fresh Provisions: Four days rations for nine men and two officers.
(I) (m)
Communications: Blinker tube, semaphore, M.P. signal light, 8 inch searchlight, TCS voice radio set, range about 75 miles. Radio Direction Finder: One R. D. F set per boat.
(n)
Machinery: Main engines - three 1,200 hp Packard 4-M2500. Later increased to 1,500 Hp. Generator -two 1/2-kw water cooled generator. Power - four 6 volt storage batteries. Shafts - three shafts, three propellers (all right hand). Rudders - three rudders, mechanical steering.
load one engine, 11 knots, 1050 miles.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TORPEDO RACK
A single 40 n1ln cannon was inslOlied 01 Ihe Slern of lOler PT boals. II was mOSI effective to use against enemy barges. Courtesy of the
J08
ational Archives.
Experimenls 10 develop new launching techniques were initiated 01 the Motor Torpedo Squadrons Training Cenrel; Melville, Rhode Island. some time in 1942. One of the deVice! was based on the Idea ofhangll7g Ihe 10lpedo 11'/ a life boat davit-like mechanism so lhallhe lorpedo could simply be dropped over lhe side oflhe PT boat. Because Ihe P7 BoclllVas 1101 a very swble craft UI rough seas. Ihe deVIce was nol successful. Courtesy or the PT Boat Museum.
/09
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
American PT Boats in World War II
HULL CONSTRUCTION The construction of the 80 foot Elco PT boat starts with the
The planking, which is the skin of the hull, is in two layers
assembly of the main frames, placed upside down, on a building
made of mahogany boards six inches wide laid diagonally opposite
jig. The frames are built of laminated spruce, white oak and ma-
to each other, with sheets of airplane fabric and marine glue in be-
hogany. All the joints are secured with marine glue and screw.
tween. The planks are fastened to the frames with screws and to
Both sides of the frames are covered with fir plywood to make it
battens with copper nails. When planking is completed, the hull is
water tight. When finished, they are called bulkheads.
turned over and the inside work and decking begin.
The keel, which is made of spruce, is then attached to the frames,
The deck, like the planking, is also made of two layers of ma-
spliced to the stem and secured with brass bolts. The chine, which
hogany board with marine glue and airplane fabric in between. Both
is the hull member joining the bottom of the hull to the sides of the
deck and planking are then bolted to a single continuous wooden
boat, is also bolted on. Longitudinal battens, running parallel to the
member the entire length of the hull. The deck houses are built of
chine, give further support to the planking.
spruce frames and covered on both sides with plywood. The space between the frames in the superstructure i insulated with cork.
'-\ ,,-
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1
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17'-
One night, in late February, 1943, Lt. GeOlge Springel, J,: and Lt. (jg) James Costigan of PT 188 werf' in a Manhattan bar discussing a torpedo that a crew could slide and roll into the watet: This was contrary to accepted doctrine which warned of the dangers of the gyro tumbling in the steering mechanism. Based on afew sketches Inade in a pocket notebook that evening, a prototype model ofa torpedo rack wasfabricated in the Scrap Metal Section ofthe New York Navy l'ard. The design ofthe rack was simply that ofan over-si~ecl depth charge rack with greased skids. Itll'as modified with a series of cables attached to a manually operated"llOndle such that when the handle was pulled, it started both the gyro mechanism and the engine ofthe torpedo. After a briefdelay to enable the gyro and engine to achievefull speed, the pins securing Ihe torpedo in the rack were removed. and the torpedo simply slipped and rolled overboard. A few lI'eeksfollowing the construction of the prototype, it was installed aboard PT 188 when she was ordered to Newport on a weekend training exercise. With a borrowed Mark XIII torpedo with exercise head, testing Ivas done at the Navy's torpedo firing range in Narragansett Bay. Over a period ofseveral days, the torpedo was launched, recovered, serviced and launched again with complete success. A Navy Captainfrom the Bureau ofOrdinance in Washington was just visiting the station and came along on several ofthe test firing runs. By the time PT 188 had returned to the New York Navy Yard, orders had been received from the Bureau to install this torpedo rack on all Squadron 12 boats. Courtesy of the National Archives.
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.'
Chapter 12: Anatomy of PT Boat
American PT Boats in World War 1I
0- ......... '. .
ONE-ENOINE OPERATION
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The decision to use Packard engines in the PT boats began
rine engine. The result was a success in every respect, not only in
when Colonel 1.G. Vincent, the designer of Packard's famous Li-
performance but also in terms of manufacturing and production
110
brary motor, became interested in PT boats. Elco specified the per-
considerations as well. The development of this reliable power plant
loS
formance characteristics and left it to Packard to develop the ma-
contributed much to the excellent overall performance of both the
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Starter Generator Bore and stroke Rating Total piston displacementcompression ration Weight -
2
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6.4 to I 2950lbs
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Chaos showing Ihe aC/IIal pelformal1ce dara of Ihe Packard J200 H I~ V-12 gasoline marine engines.
1/3
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American PT Boats in World War II
13 CAMOUFLAGE I .
U.~. N.AVV
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..at.?T 625 (Hid &ins)
I~EA5URE ~
.. During World War II, camouflage schemes cr measures were developed for each type of vessel. Measure 31, also named Dark Pattern System, was designed for offshore operations.
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plate ji-om PT-59, well known for it:S exploits at Tulagi agailfSt tire Tokyo Express coming down the "Slot. " COUrlesy of PT BOals Museum.
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The camouflage of PT boats was used fOI}the sole purpose of
ouflage schemes, the Bureau of Ships (Buships), under the direc-
making them difficult to spot by the enemy. To standardize the cam-
tion of Captain Henry A. Ingram, issued various approved designs.
JJ5
American PT Boats in World War 11
Chapter J3: Camouflage
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1/6 1/7
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CONFIJJ£NTJAt Instmctional copy of Elco camouflage technique based on the "AdaplOr Syslem" of Lt. Cd" George C. Evans. Zebra stripe was used idelllily of Ihe craft and cuurs'e direcliun. II was nul successful. Courtesy of the United States avy.
10
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ISOVE AND NEXT PAGE: The black and white ~ebra type paltem crealed confusion and reduced visibility at ranges over a mile. However, for night and close quarters operation in Ihe Pacific. it proved 10 be ineffective. The crews quickly painled over them with dark green paint to merge beller with the jungle. The only area the zebra type J!illlem was used Ivas in the MedilerrCllleantheater of operalion. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
nited States Navy Bureau of Ships.
//8
119
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 13: Can'lOuflage
/-fere, all experimelll wilh allolher killd of camollj7age which even covered Ihe lIew appelldage al Ihe slem of the boat. The attachment was WI additiollal gas tallk IIsed 10 illcrease cruisillg range. While IInderway, Ihe wake of Ihe boat WOL/ld lifl the IOllk 10 redllce drag. It was desiglled /() be dropped whell emply. Dllring Ihe trial rUII, mall)' problems slllfaced olld the lank broke loose durillg high speed shalp /IIms. ourtesy of lhe PT Baal Museum.
120
121
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
14 TACTICS AND FORMATIONS
Patrol and Barge Attack Doctrine
PTs patrol in an offshore echelon to lessen risk of grounding for
PTs normally patrol at low speed with mufflers closed, close to the
following boats.
beach so that no barges can pass the PT and the beach without be-
As soon as barges are sighted, PTs close range at high speed to
ing sighted. PTs also attempt to stay sufficiently close to shore to
fifty yards or less, opening fire at about 200 yards. The PTs, in
sight any barges that may be loading or unloading on the beach.
column, make a run past the line of barges, firing with all guns that
The distances offshore vary according to conditions of visibility
can be brought to bear. The PTs then withdraw, reform and return
and known positions of reefs and shore batteries. Most barge pa-
for another run on any barges that may have survived the first run.
trols are conducted from twenty to one thousand yards offshore.
As many runs are made as are required for destruction of all the
Division colulIln. Counesy of the United Slales
avy.
barges, except when the shore fire is sufficiently heavy and accurate to force the PTs to withdraw. The essence of the attack is surprise and speed
16+
in order to close the range and sink the barges before they have time to make the beach. Where a group
so Y os. APPR..
of unusually large barges is encountered, it is doc-
'2 BOAT lNGTHS.
trine for the attacking PTs to form on line of bear-
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Division V. Courtesy of lhe Uniled States Navy.
ings perpendicular to the bearing of barges for approach to attack, and for boats to turn into column, parallel to the barges, and open fire on order. This is
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to permit all boats to open fire at once and to present
~.
as many different targets as possible to the enemy, rather than to have all barges return fire concentrated on the lead boat. The use of tracers has a lot to do with the inaccuracy of the enemy's return fire. They cannot face the hail of red balls coming their way and stay on with their own guns. However, too much tracer in our own fire tends to blind the gunners. Therefore, a compromise must be made. Preferred belting is 5
DIVISION
VEE
DIVISION COLUMN
armor piercing, 3 incendiary, 2 tracer. Some discre-
DIVISION
LEFT ECHElON
DIVISION RIGHT ECHELON
A division of PT boars was normally COlnfJosed of rhree boars or a maximum of four From this, all maneuvers and evolurionfollow. The rhree basicforlllCllions are division colum.n, division V and division echeloll.
/22
tion is permitted to individual boats in ammunition belting.
Division Echelon. Counesy of the United Slates Navy.
123
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
American PT Boats in World War II
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Deployment from columnformatiol/. Courtesy of the National Archives.
124
125
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
American PT Boats in World War II
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The Vformalioll \\'05 mosl com/7/ollly Llsed ill PT boal operaliolls. II \\'05 ...ide, compacl, permil/ed rapid de,'eloplllelll alld redllced chalices of ellfilade. II also offered all excellelll defellse agaill.\·1 (l/rackillg aircrafl. Courtesy of the ational Archives. AIIOlher vielll of Higgills boals ill V formalioll. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
/26
/27
American PT Boats in World War II
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Chapter 14.' Tactics and Formations
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NEXT . LOW NUM5E~ro
alional Archives.
A squadron oj PT boa IS is composed oj IIVO or 1I10re divisions. Squadron Jormalion is used Jor cl'llising, operaling wilh other units oj lire .fleet, and leading 10 an allack position. There are Ilrree basic squadron Jormarions: Colull1l1 oj V:~, Vee oj Vees and echelon oj Vees. Courtesy of the National Archives.
Three divisions oj PT boals in squadronJonnalioll column Vees. Courtesy of lhe United Slates Navy.
/28
129
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
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Alllighllhe allack should be carried aLII in 111'0 or Ihree waves. Each subsequenlll'ave should take advalltage oflhe cOllfusioll caused by Ihe previous lI'al'e. The ]irsl wave may evell rellew Ihe a/lack after Ihe lasl wave. Courtesy of Lhe National Archives.
III developillg WI ollack, Ihe caplaill oflhe PTboal should use sleallh ill closing Ihe rallge and seek afavorable allack course where Ihe speed of his bocil call besl be used. The direclioll oflhe willd should be consideredforcarryillg sOl/lld and laying smoke. The use ofsun alld mOOlllO blilld alld silhouelle Ihe ellemy, respeclively, should be coordillaled ill Ihe allack plall. III WIackillg ullprolecled lrallspons or cargo vessels, Ihe lead PT boal should gel illlo IOrpedo range 10 ]ire ils IO/pedoes. Olher boals should folloll' up and]ire IOrpedoes if necessalT The deplh charges lIlay be used 10 ]ill ish off a crippled I'essel. IlIlIlakillg a daylighl allack all ellemy COIII'OyS, Ihe PT boalS, ill squadrollformation, should be led 10 Ihe POSilioll sharp all Ihe boll' of Ihe cOllvoy. The divisiolls should be released al Ihis poilll 10 press home Iheir ollacks illdividually. Teamwork is esselllial ill pickillg appropriale Iargels wilhoul ellcroachillg all all adjacell/ boat S lerrilory. Olle or more divisiolls may allack Ihe cOllvoy from behilld 10 take advalllage of Ihe cOllfusiollfrom Ihefroll/al allack. Courtesy of Lhe ational Archive.
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130
If a divisioll of PT boats is allacked by enemy aircrafl, Ihe besl defellse is 10 disperse il1/o Ihe VforlllatiOIl 10 give maximUIII ]ire supponlo each olhef: When under allack by dive bombel; a boal should make a sharp lurn al high speed afIeI' Ihe bomber has slaned ils dive. During Ihe slra]ing allack by aircrafl, il is beller 10 CLII across Ihe line of]ire al high speed ralher Ihan slraighl alld risk being raked from ahead or behilld. Courtesy of the ational Archives.
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J31
American PT Boats in World War II IN(HY
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Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
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Courtesy of the
/32
alional Archives.
133
American PT Boats in World War II rRIAI/GLI 01 T01l.PfOO liRE
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
SICETCH SHOWING TUM ANGLES, GYRO ANGLC5,VNIT OF JPAlAO, AND TOTAL SPR(AD
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The purpose ofa torpedo control is to direct the tOlpedoes to produce a maximumll.umber of hits on target. Basically it is just a matter of aiming the boat in the direction of a collision course with the moving target. To understand torpedo control it is important to know that torpedo wbes, mounted on deck, must be swung out a small amount to permit the torpedoes to clear the deck. In orderfor the torpedoes to straighten out {/lid run parallel to the boat after launching, gyro angles are pre-set on the torpedoes before they are placed in the tubes. To help aim the PT boat, the tolpedo director is used. This unit is moullfed on the bridge with the torpedo track arm parallel to the cellfer line of the boat. An even simpler device used in tOlpedo control is the Mark 7 portable angle solvel; commonly known as an "izwas." It consisted of a number of discs and a celluloid runnel: By setting lip 'he estimated target angle and target speed, the sight angle call be obtained. By addillg 'he sight angle to present target bearing, the torpedo firing course can be obtained. Torpedoes can be fired electronically from the bridge or by emergency percussion with a mallet by a torpedoman stationed at the tubes. It is standard praclice to retard thronles at the nlOmellf offiring to allow the torpedoes to clear before changing course. It is also desirable to have the boat on a steady keel (hori:ontal) wilh the tllbes as horizontal as possible at the moment o/firing. Courtesy of the ational Archives.
/34
A TorpedomQll standing by with a mallet ready'o strike the emergency percussiolJ.
ourtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
135
American PT Boats in World War 11
GENERAL QUARTERS
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations 5.20 mm gun. a. Gun cocked. (should be uncocked for a few minutes every four hours)
During patrol or on a mission when an encounter with the enemy is highly probable, fully ready condition i assumed with the
crew at general quarter. Fully ready condition, sometime called Condition I, means:
b. If weather i wet, cover over magazine and breech mechanism, not over muzzle. c. Safety on until ready to commence firing.
I. Electric power.
d. Magazine in place.
a. Electric power up to the firing switches of all firing circuits. 2. Bridge control equipment.
e. If weather permits, gun is manned continuously. If not, gun secured pointing up. 6. Machine gun .
a. Steering control shifted to outside station.
a. Covers removed.
b. Torpedo director uncovered.
b. Ammo belt up to gun, loaded and put on safety until ready to fire.
c. Telescope cover removed.
c. If weather is wet, keep muzzle bags on guns, cover over turret.
3. Tubes.
d. Gun manned, trained on bow or probable target bearing.
a. Tubes trained out and secured in that position. b. Firing circuits ready for firing. c. Loaded and primed impulse cartridges in impulse chambers. d. Firing mechanisms set for local percussion as well as electric firing. 4. Torpedoes. a. Fully ready for the run. b. Depth setting made for the type of target most likely to be encountered. c. Torpedo speed set for the highest available. d. Gyro angles set as required. e.
nit of spread set for I degree.
COlIJmallder WilliCim C. Specht (Cit left) 011 the bridge oj C/ll Elco 77 JOOI bOCit. He orgCllli~ed the Motor Torpedo BOCit SquCldrolls Traillillg Cel/ler Cit Melville, Rhode IsICIlld. The CentercClme 10 be kllowlI CIS "Specht Tech" Clnd begClII operatiolls ill the middle oJMClrch 1942. All subsequent tactics Clnd doctrilles used ill combClt were developed Cit the cellter. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
GENERAL QUARTERS' Courtesy of the National Archives.
136
/37
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
MOTOR TORPETO BOAT TRAINING CENTER. MELVILLE. R. I.
PT 552 underway with crew at general quarters. Courle y of the PT Boal Museum.
PT BOAT BUILDING PROGRAM
The Motor Torpedo Boat Training Center at Melvil/e. Rhode Island where aI/ PT crews received their training. Courtesy of the United States Navy.
7. Depth Charges. a. Replace plain safety caps with knobbed afety cap secured to racks. Do not wire safety forks to racks. b. Depth settings are set as directed by the boat captain. 8. Personnel Duties. a. Captain - wheel or throttle b. Executi ve officer - Throttle or wheel c. Gunner's mate - 20 mm gun. d. Torpedo man - Stand by torpedoes or depth charges. e. Quarterma ter - Ammunition passer for .50 caliber machine guns. f. Radioman - Radio g. Machini t's mate - Engine room. h. machine gunner's mate - .50 caliber machine guns.
138
I and 2 - Fogal Boat Yard, Inc. 3 and 4 - Fisher Boat Works 5 and 6 - Higgins 7 and 8 - Philadelphia avy Yard 9 - British Power Boat Company (Purchased by Eko) 10 through 69 - Eko 70 foot. 20 through 68 - Eko 77 foot 69 - Huckins experimental boat 70 - Higgins (Dream Boat) 71 through 94 - Higgins 95 through 102 - Huckins 103 through 196 - Eko 80 foot 197 through 254 - Higgins 255 through 264 - Huckins 265 through 313 - Higgins 314 through 361 - Eko 362 through 367 - Harbor (Elco model built at West Coast)
368 through 371 - Canadian Power Boat Company 372 through 383 - Elco 384 through 399 - Jacobs (Vosper boats for Lend-Lease) 400 through 429 - Annapolis (Vosper boats for Lend-Lea e) 430 through 449 - Herreschoff (Vosper boats for Lend-Lease) 450 through 485 - Higgins 486 through 563 - Eko 564 - Higgins (Experimental Hellcat 70 foot boat) 565 through 622 - Eko 623 through 624 - Elco (Contract canceled) 625 through 660 - Higgins (Lend-Lease to USSR) 661 through 730 - Annapolis (Vosper boats for Lend-Lea e) 731 through 760 - Elco (Shipped to USSR) 761 through 790 - Eko (Contract canceled) 791 through 796 - Higgin 797 through 808 - Higgins (Contract canceled, eventually sold to Argentine avy)
139
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations
PT 564 - Higgins experimental HELLCAT Llsedfor design research only. Courtesy of the
aLional Archives.
PTboals, Elco and Fishel; tie up at dock at MTB Squadron 7I'aining Centeral Melville, Rhode Island. Noteftrst PTtendel; USS NIAGARA, a converted Yacht. COUl1esy of the PT Boat Museum.
Aerial view of the Elco plant in Bayonne, N.J. where 398 PTboats were produced during World War II. Courtesy of Elco.
140
The Steuben crystal sculpH(re "VOYAGE" was presented to Presidelll .John F Kennedy on March 14, 1962 by the Peter Tare passage of time from war service to the Presidency, was designed by M,: Donald Pollard. Courtesy of Steuben Glass.
/41
Organi~atiol1.
The piece, symbolizing the
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 14: Tactics and Formations Five decades after World War II, there are only 18 PT boats left in this country. While there is always hope that there are more
PT's out there, we only have information on these. Courtesy of the PT Baal Museum.
l. PT 617 (80 foot Elco) is located at Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts in static display.
2. PT 796 (78 foot Higgins) is located at Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts in static display. 3. PT 658 (78 foot Higgins) is being re to red in Oregon by Save the PT boat, Incorporated. 4. PT 659 (78 foot Higgins) is being used to restore PT 658. The hell will go on static display with another mu eum. 5. PT 695 (71 foot Annapolis) was restored by the American Patrol Boat Association. The boat was called "PT Joe" and belonged to the late judge Joseph Marchetti. 6. PT 309 (78 foot Higgins) is located at Admiral Nimitz Museum. They intend to run her for a time and then make her a static display in Fredrick burg. 7. PT 657 (78 foot Higgins) is a big cruise boat called "Malahini" in San Diego, California. 8. PT 761 (80 foot Elco) listed as a riverboat cruiser in Jacksonville. 9. PT 615 (80 foot Eko) i called "Tar Baby" in Philadelphia. 10. PT 314 (80 foot Elco) is being restored by Roger Radbill. II. PT 728 (71 foot Annapolis) is at Key We tin Elco military configuration. Bill Bohmfalk, (305) 296-8989.
12. PT 486 (80 foot Eko) was rebuilt as "Sightseer" for daily sightseeing tour at Wildwood, 13. PT 724 (71 foot Annapolis) is known as "Endeavor
ew Jersey, (609) 522-2919.
n."
14. PT 3 (Fisher Boat Works) is located in Philadelphia. 15. PT 8 (Philadelphia Navy Yard) is in Bayview, Texas. 16. PT 457 (78 foot Higgins) is named "Falcon" and reduced to 62 feet and 9 inches at Highlands, 17. PT 305 (78 foot Higgins) was cut to 60 feet and used a an oyster boat at Tilgman, Maryland. 18. PT 459 (78 foot Higgins) was cut to 65 feet for Fire Island Charter & Ferry boat.
Lt. Commander John D. Bulkeley, Ihefalher of PT boals. As liewenwlI, he assumed command of quadron 3 sWI;oned in the Philippines. He evacuClled General Douglas MacArthur on board PT 41 and received Ihe Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevell. Courtesy of the Warner Research Center.
142
143
ew Jersey.
Chapter 15: Last Model
15 LAST MODEL
Courtesy of lhe.IT Boal Museum.
Bow view of PT 596. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
/44
145
American PT Boats in World War II
16 EXPORT [n March 1941, 73 foot boats (PT 10 through PT 19 and PT 9) were transferred to the Royal avy as MTB 258 through MTB 268. PT 9 was allocated to the Royal Canadian Navy. The other ten boats were modified to the Royal Navy's specifications. The modification included replacing the four trainable l8 inch torpedo tubes with two 21 inch fixed tubes. The domes covering the two turrets were removed and a 20 111m Oerlikon gun was installed at the stern. Depth charge track was added on both sides of the boat. The boats arrived
at Alexandria and formed into the lOth MTB Flotilla under the command of LCDR Noakes. PT 49 through PT 58 (77 foot boats) were also transferred to the Royal Navy as MTB 307 through MTB 316. The four torpedo tubes were replaced with two 2\ inch tubes. The twin turrets were replaced with a single Vickers Mark V turret on the centerline of the coach roof. The 20 111111 gun at the stern was retained. Depth charge track was installed on either side of the boat. These boats were formed into the 15th MTS Flotilla.
PT 596, Squadron 40, placed in service May 10, 1945. Assigned 10 the' Pacific Fleet. It served at SamCII; Philippines but saw no actio/l. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
Test firing the twin .30 cal. Lewis machine gU/ls
/46
0/1
board MTB 263. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
147
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter J 6: Export
MTB 263 undergoing trials by Elco in Novell/ber. 1941. Courtesy of the PT Boal Museum.
J-I.M.S. MTB 263 (XPT /4). Armament consists oJtwo 2/ Joottorpedo tubes (British built), fWo depth charges, one 20 Ill/II Oerlikon gun, two twin, .50 cal Elco Dewandre ItIrrets and two twin .30 Lewis II/achille gUll II/ounts. Courtesy of the PT Boal Museum. 21 Joot British LC MK / Torpedo ItIbe on Elco Joundations. Courtesy of the Iyr Boat Museul11.
/48
149
American PT Boats in World War 11
17 POST WAR PERIOD
In 1945 the Navy authorized the construction of four new experimental PT boats incorporating lessons learned in four years of combat. Although each of the four boats had different characteristics, they all had aluminum hulls and were powered by four 2500 hp Packard engines. They were: PT 809, Electric Boat Company, August 7, 1950. PT 810, Bath Iron Works Corporation, June 2, 1950. PT 811, John Trumphy & Sons, November 30. 1950. PT 812, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, February I, 1951.
Tesr firing all guns on board MTB 263. Nore Dewandre rurrers wirh rwin .50 caliber machine guns. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
More rhan 10071 fOOl Vosper boars were builr by Jacob (PT 384-399), Annapolis (PT 430-449) and J-1erreschoJJ(PT 430-449) in rhe Un ired Srares for England and rhe USSR under Land-lease. Courtesy of the Warner Research Center.
150
Their common specifications were: Power-(4) 16 cylinder V type W-IOO IM3300 Packard Marine engine, 2500 hp at 2700 rpm each, high octane gasoline_ Armament-(2) 40 mm air cooled guns with optical sights. (2) 20 mm Oerlikon dual guns with optical sights. (I) 81 mm mortar in traverse mount. (4) Racks for 21 inch torpedoes. (I) Smoke generator. Navigation - AN-SPS-5 radar, MK 18, model 4, gyrocompass and Bendix autopilot.
TB~
Insignia ofMoror Torpedo Boar Squadron I (Posr War). Courtesy of James B. Stewart.
151
Chapter 17: Post War Period
American PT Boats in World War II Their individual specifications were:
PT809
PT810
PT 811
PT812
102 94.5 89.5 90 94' 11" 105' 98' 6" 89' 5 1/4" 24' I" 24' II" 22' 5 112" 26' 6" 4'2" 5' 5" 5' 6" 5' 10" 6790 7014 6960 6960 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 Rudde~ 4 Convex V Ogee V Round Hull section form Concave V These boats had completed the builders' sea trials and were praised, but deck access was poor. 5. All boats had trouble starting
Displacement (tons) Length Beam Draft (maximum) Fuel Capacity (gallons) Number of propellers
delivered to Motor Torpedo Squadron I in the summer of 1951.
when their engines were hot. 6. The torpedoes were too slow and
From that time until 1956, Motor Torpedo Squadron I performed
the boats often caught up and ran over them during high speed
operational development and testing of these four boats at Norfolk.
launching.
During the trials the following findings were disclosed: I. PT
In 1957, PT 812 was converted to use gas turbines which
809 proved rough riding in seaway. 2. PT 81 O's deck and cabin
marked the first time a turbine engine was used in small craft in this
arrangement were inefficient. 3. PT 811 proved to be the fastest
country. After conversion, she had two 12 cylinder 60 degree V
boat in calm water (55 knots) and had the best deck and cabin lay-
600 hp Packard ID-1700-T4 marine diesels with reversible pitch
out. 4. PT 812 was the slowest boat in calm water but fastest in
propellers for maneuvering and two open cycle 4000 hp Metro-
state [If sea and also the most seaworthy. Her low silhouette was
politan Vickers gas turbines for main propulsion.
PT 810 makes a high speed run with the ils crew at General Quarters in Chesapeake Bay. Courtesy of the
PT 809 off NO/folk, Virginia. Courtesy of the United Slales Navy.
/52
i53
Chapter J7: Post War Period
American PT Boats in World War II
PT 8/2 going Through a sea Tria/. Courtesy of James B. Stewart.
PT 8// on a high speed run in the Chesapeake Bay. Courtesy of the United States
avy.
Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron I was decommissioned in 1959 after completion of sea trials to test the performance of the four boats. PT 809 was renamed GUARDIAN and is used by the Secret Service as a guard boat for the SEQUOIA, a yacht used by the President and other officials of the Department of Defense. She is unarmed and her superstructure was modified to suit her new role. PT 810 and PT 811 were struck from the Naval Register in 1960
but reinstated in December 1962 as PTFI and 2. After a shakedown cruise at Norfolk, Virginia, in June 1963, they left for Subic Bay in the Philippines and were eventually assigned to SEAL teams in Vietnam. In August, 1965 they were struck again and sunk as target. PT 812 was struck in 1960 and was transferred to Korea in April, 1967 after removal of her gas turbines. She was ultimately scrapped in 1968.
PT 8/2 after conversion. Courtesy of James B. Stewart.
i54
i55
Chapter 18: Models
18 MODELS
Beauliful model oj PT2/, Elco 77Jooler, as displayed in Cabrillo Beach Marine Museum, San Pedro, California. Model was builr by M,: Mark H. Davis. Courtesy of Mark H. Davis.
Precision model oj PT 661, Vosper type. bl/ill Jor Bureal/ oj Ships. Courtesy of the Bureau of Ships.
/56
This Varney model kil ojaPT boal came 01/1 during World War II. II \lias Ihejirsl PT boal kil and was made 01/1 oJ wood. This model was bl/ill by David Pappmeier recenrly and dedicaled 10 Ihe cre\ll oj PT 123. Courtesy of the PT Boat Museum.
/57
American PT Boats in World War 1I
Chapter 18: Models
This kit (by BII/e Jacket. PO. Box 425, Stockton, Maille 04981) illeludes a pre-carved basswood hI/II shaped wood deckhol/se, strip lIIood alld styrelle, brass alld alumillum IIIbing, brass rod alld over 200 specially made Britallllia metal and photo-etched brass parts. Overall model lellgth 23 1/2 illches, scale 1116 illch to I fool. The kit lIIas researched alld developed by AI Ross. COUI'I~SY of Blue Jackel.
This model lIIas all loall from the Navy to Presidelll Johll F Kellnedy and lIIas on display ill his office at the time of his assassination. Although 109 Ivas painted all, this model depIcts a much later type PT boatthall the aile Lt. Kellnedy was all. Courtesy of the avel Ship Research and Development Center.
Pictl/res of 1:20 scale PTboatmodel (bl/ilt by Fille Art Models, PO. Box 225, Birmillgham, M148012) ill two differellt paillt schemes. The detail all this model is made ofhandfabrica ted brass, from the 37 III/II alld 20 mm call1lolls to the four 50 caliber machille gUllS. Courtesy of Fine Art Models.
This model of PT 155
/58
1110.1'
bl/ilt by Williall/ B. Smallshaw from a Revell kit.
ourtesy of William B. Smallshaw.
/59
American PT Boats in World War II
Chapter 18: Models
Model Elco 77 Jootet: PT 34, 1124 scale, by Wayne Tra.xel. Hull is planked with {\I'O layers oJbalsa coated with jive coats oJpolyester resin. Deck is two wooden laminated layers oj 3/32" balsa Jollowed by 1/6 bass\\'ood. Superstrt/Clure Jraming and planking is two laminated layers oj 1/32" balsa. sealed with three coats oj pol rester resin Courtesy of Wayne Traxel. .
PT 596 (Howard Emerprises, 24734 Winlock Drive, Torrance, CA 90505) is a conversion kitfor the Dumas PT 109 kit (1120th scale). Everything shown in the picture is included in the kit along with a 24 page instl'L/ction booklet and 85 minutes video tape demonstrating the conversion procedure. Courtesy of Howard Enterprises.
This model was presented to Presidellt John F Kennedy by the Washingtonlntel'llational Boat and Sport Show in December 1962. It is nolV on display at John F Kennedy Library, Colwnbta POlllt, Boston, Massachuse{{s 02/25.Collrtesy of the John f. Kennedy Library.
160
J61
Appendix I
APPENDIX I
l.5T(QI;) IIIPING ANCHOR
Source: I-I iggins Industries, Jnco
/1\
OESIIiES
~
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WIND 'ASTERN
c
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ANC/rIJII STOP.'
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a
Motor Torpedo Boat Seamanship
.'KXOS
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:
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i ASlCI:lIN I/SIMi eN6-INE.5 IF
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~~ ~ ----LlNES~) AND (8); BY HEL EASE OF ONE ANI) NOL I) Of" THE OTIJER 'WILL STEEl? 80AT. life raft and the quarters to the steering wheel. This jury rig is easier to assemble than the jury rig utilizing the locker door, but is not as satisfactory in heavy weather as the door and boat hook rig.
A jury rudder for a motor torpedo boat with a damaged rudder is shown above, utilizing a life raft loaded and towed aft. The towing line is fastened to the center of the transom. Transom is then rove between the
Right-Lower drawing shows an emergency repair to a damaged boat hull. A tarpaulin is lashed to the boat's side by means of rope ties fore and aft! with a blanket as a padding between the hu I and the canvas. Pillow~ can be jammed into the hole from inside the boat. Emergency repairs of this kind will keep a boat afloat and enable the crew to reach a marine railway where permanent repairs, can be made. The upper drawing shows the boat hook and bucket used in con· nection with the conventional type of kedge anchor on an oozy bottom, where the anchor alone will not hole}. A broom handle may be used instead of a boat hook. This improvised In'ound tackle will hold a boat in the sofetest bottom during the hardest blow.
Left-Sketch showing the various steps in putting out two anchors. Postion (1) shows a motor torpedo boat riding to one anchor when the skipper decides that the second anchor is necessary. In position (2) after releasing more cable the starboard wheel is revolving ahead slowly. The boat steers to starboard as in position (3) to (4) and thence to (5), when abeam of the first anchor the ,;econd is let go. The motor torpedo boat is then dropped back to (6), and finally to position (7), where both anchor cables are
Y-4WINV: 8£rO~E A SAD SEA
B.
METHOD Or SECURING A PROPE"LLER WHEN THE P/fOPEU£R SHAFT /5 BROKEN
Sometimes when the propeller of a motor torpedo boat strikes a rock or a shallow spot, not only is the rudder damaged, but frequently the shaft is broken. The shaft slips along the shaft alley until the weight of the propeller holds the shaft against the upper part of the strut bearing. On some occasions the shaft and the propeller are entirely lost, causing water to flow into the engine room through the shaft tunnel. The above sketch shows a method of securing the propeller and shaft by lashing, preventing su~h a loss as the boat returns to port for repairs under power from the opposite motor.
METHOD USED TO NSTALL OR REMOVE
A DAMAGED
RUDDER" This drawing shows an improvised rig between a motor torpedo boat steering wheel and the emergency tiller. It is an easier and more convenient rig than ·steering with the emergency tiller alone.
Method of removing a damaged rudder. The same method can be used for re-installing a new or repaired rudder. Some naval combat motor boat operators have learned to use a gaB mask and an air pump on underwater repairs.
162
Left-The sketch in the upper left-hand corn,er shows the use of oil bags to prevent yaWIng be~ore a bad following sea. The lower drawmgs show the use of oil bags, both when underway and when stopped in the trough of a heavy sea.
163
American PT Boats in World War II
Appendix I CANVAS
--
~~~~~-~..:~
OIL BAG
SEA AM:HOI?5
-~
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-
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or'
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/-00----7"::..- EIVPl£SS LINE
Left-When a sea anchor is used, there should be a trip extending from the tip of the sea anchor to the stern of the motor torpedo boat. Whenever it is necessary to pull in the sea anchor, a yank on the trip line reverses the sea anchor, and towed by the small end of the cone, the anchor offers no further resistance. A light tackle for sendin~ out an oil bal': should be attached to the point where the warp is belayed to the sea anchor.
~
~ D
-? _~,"Y/N& rOIN :..----A GR03S
. This drawing shows how a canvas oil bag IS made. A grommet is inserted in the bottom of the cone of the bag. A wooden peg is used a.s a stoP.l?er. The peg is sent out before the 011 bag IS put overboard. An easier form would be a simple bag with holes p.unched. in the bag with a needle, the bag fIlled WIth oakum and then filled with oil. The oakum or waste holds the oil and it is released through the punched holes in the bag. A little oil goes a long way.
SE~
~lIn7>"I--"'"
/-<-----TRIPPING LINE
This sketch shows the design of the British Board of Trade pattern sea anchor. It is long and narrow and nas a small vent-hole at the small end of the cone and a wooden ring. The upper sketch shows the bow of the boat riding to such a sea anchor. The dotted line shows the same sea anchor being hauled inboard by the trip line. Sea anchors are very useful on any small boat in bad weather and should always be carried as standard equipment.
WIIV"
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Ili/NN/N6 BEFORE A BAD SEA
starboard bow, and two oil bags over the starboard bow, making an oil slick around the boat. In the upper right-hand corner is a motor boat lying to sea anchor, first from the bow, and second from the stern. Some boats, especially those with a light freeboard forward, will not lay comfortably from the bow, but will lay with comfort from the stern. The lower left hand corner shows the situation with a crossed sea and oil bags on both sides. The lower right-hand corner shows a motor boat running from a bad sea with oil bags from the bow.
Right-The above sketch shows the use of oil bags, alone or combined with sea anchors. The upper left-hand corner shows a motor boat hove to with the wind and sea on the
(~
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'MARK FLOAT
(JRIDL£5
SAIL PATTERN SEA ANCf./OR
A JURY RUDDER Right-An improvised sea anchor made from a square anchor with a wooden rod at the top and an iron rod at the bottom. This is another type that is popular because Qf its ability to be easily stored. The iron rod should be heavy enough to submerge the sea anchor.
Left-The above sketch shows the Voss sea anchor, invented by Captain Voss, who sailed around the world in a 36-ft. canoe. He frequently met with bad weather, and when he did he never attempted to fight the storm but would lay to his sea anchor. To make the anchor easier to store, VQSS used no wood or iron ring in the opening, such as used by Ametican and British sea anchors. He used tWQ crossed sticks to hold the mouth Qpen. Wherever possible, the large end of a sea anchor should have a diameter of 1 inch for every foot of length of motor torpedo boat. This would take a 6-ft. opening for a 70-ft.
motor torpedo boat. A 6-ft. metal ring would be a difficult article to store away. Higgins craft use a sea anchor with the ring hinged, enabling the anchor with a 6-ft. mouth to be stored in a 3-ft. space.
/64
~&4LLASr
RUDDER
TO NOtD
V£lfrtCAL
VIEW OF BOTTON in the bottom panel is a heavy weight, such as a discarded cylinder head. The boat hook is lashed to the stern of the motor torpe~o boat top and bottom. The hole above th~ door knob is knocked through the panel and the steering line is attached to the door at this point. The steering lines are brour;ht through blocks to the steering wheel on deck.
How a jury rudder can be rigged on a motor torpedo boat after the boat rudder has been damaged or shot away in action. A few yards of rope, a locker door, a boat hook and a heavy weight are the implements necessary. Tbe locker door is lashed to the boat hook by punching three holes in the upper and lower panels. Lashed to the hole
165
American PT Boats in World War II
Appendix I Right-A little oil on troubled waters will whork wonders.. The above four illustrations s ow the varIOUs uses of oil bags in bad weat~er. In the upper left-hand corner the drawmg shows the Use of oil bags when a motor torpedo boat is under wayan a course
Method of "tacking" by motor boat in heavy seas. The desired course is north. The wind is blowing out of the northwest and heavy seas are running. To meet the crest
of on-coming seas, the motor boat must temporarily head west northwest, returning to the original north course liS soon as the crest of the sea has passed on.
a~ right angles to sea and wind. The upper right-hand corner shows the use of oil bags ~hen . a motor torpedo boat is stopped and IS laymg In the trough of the sea. The lower left-hand corner shows the use of an oil bag wh~n a motor torpedo boat is laying with a smgle anchor out. A small hand tackle is attach.ed to t.he anchor cable near the anchor. The all bag IS run out on this tackle: It can be brought. back on board for refueling. The .lower rIght-hand picture shows the use of 011 on troubled waters when one motor torpedo boat is towing another.
STEAMING ACroSS THE
LYING STOPPED
"EAS
IN
THE
TROUGH
WAVE CREST
NQ 1.
DANGER ANGLES /52
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= 2/28
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--'-- IMPROVISED -'-- _- SEA ANCIIOR
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BA/..lAST TO KEEP •
,
SUBMERGED.
Left-In a bad storm or a hurricane a motor torpedo boat would be better uff to lay to a sea anchor than to attempt to keep under way. Motor torpedo boat engines are designed for high speed. If no sea anchor is on board, one may be improvised by the use of locker panels and floor boards lashed in the form of a circular design. Then a hole may be knocked through the lower panel of a door, and a heavy weight, such as a discarded cylinder head, attached which will act as ballast to keep the woodwork submerged. A marker float, such as an empty cask, water breaker, ring buoy, or life preserver, should be attached to the upper part of this improvised sea anchor to indicate its location.
of the sea, being knocked on her beam's end and broached to. In some cases, where the seas are exceptionally high and the water very shallow in the trough, the bow might strike the bottom and the breaking sea toss the boat over end for end. This is known as "pitch poling." It has happened to several Coast Guard motor boats in the treacherous waters of our northwest coast. Under such adverse conditions, the only safe means of entering such an inlet is by the aid of a sea anchor towed aft. The upper sketch shows a motor torpedo boat entering an inlet, towing a sea anchor by a trip line. In this position there is no resistance from the sea anchor. As the crest of a large breaking wave comes up under the stern of the motor boat, the trip line is released." The sea anchor assumes the position shown in the bottom sketch. As the sea anchor fills with water, it holds the stem to right angles to the breaking sea, preventing the boat from broaching to. After the breaking sea and the danger has passed, the trip line is hauled in. The boat is again in the position of the upper skr;,t,ch, the speed is increased, and the journey continued.
Right-Sometimes it is necessary for a motor torpedo boat to enter a small shallow inlet in bad weather when the seas are breaking all across the bar. The great danger of such a passage is that when the motor torpedo boat is on the crest of a breaking sea, It is pivoted amidships with its rudders and propellers out of the water. Under such circumstances, the helmsman has not control over the boat. There is a possibility that the boat might fall off the crest into the trough
-- --......
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To Find Distance Multiply Height of Object By Scale Factor. Example: Height of lighthouse 152 ft. Scale Factor 14. 152X 14=2128 ft. or 709 Yards USE STRING 20 INCHES LONG
HIGGINS INDUSTRIES INC.-New Orleans, La. World's Largest Builders of Commercial Motorboats
RANGE FINDER 166
--------~_
-------------------,-
167
Appendix II
APPENDIX II The following drawings were printed from microfilms of the original Elco drawings. Due to a fire at the Elco plant at Bayonne, N.J., in the 60' , all the records and drawings on PT boats were destroyed.
everthele
, these
drawings reflect clearly the thousands of man-hours the engineers and designers spent in producing them. Of course with-
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American PT Boats in World War II
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American PT Boats in World War Il
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181
American PT Boats in World War II
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American PT Boats in World War II
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American PT Boats in World War II
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American PT Boats in World War II
Appendix II I
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Note the early radar dome. Courtesy of Sea Classics.
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American PT Boats in World War II
APPENDIX III Postwar History of Higgins Industries and Elco
Higgins Industries:
Elco: During the war, the Elco facility in Bayone, N.J. built 399 PT boats with more than 3000 men and women working three shifts a day, six days a week. Six consecutive Navy HE" were awarded to Eko for defense contracting excellence. The last boat, PT 622, was delivered to the Navy from the Elco plant in Bayonne, NJ, on October 25,1945.
Higgins Industries came out of the war with $5 million plant facilities that employed 13000 men and women. In addition to PT boats, they also built landing craft (LCPs, LCPLs, LCYPs, LCMs). By November, 1945, the work force was reduced to 2500. Andrew J. Higgins, fed up with the problems with the War Labor Board, the National Labor Relation board, and the union trouble, decided to close the 21 plants. His dream of employing 30000 workers in postwar manufacturing had become a nightmare. While he started to liquate the company in January, 1945, he concluded a $10 million financing arrangement with the New York investment house ofYan Alstyne, Noel & Co. under which a new company, Higgins, Inc. was formed financed by a public sale of stocks. Higgins, Inc. had speculate in several new ventures but proved unsuccessful. Andrew J. Higgins died on August I, 1952. The helm was passed over to his son, Andrew, Jr. (president), Frank (vice president), Roland (development), Edward (assistance plant superentendent). Higgins, Inc. changed to Higco, Inc. on December 13, 1955 and then liquadated for the benefit of the creditor on March 23, 1966 with no stockholders' equity.
"Klliglu oflhe Sea" War lime posler by ELCO. Courtesy of PT BOal Museulll.
After the war, its extensive manufacturing plants and the huge production capabilities were now useless overhead when the postwar demand for pleasure boats had decreased. At the end of 1949, Eko closed its gate for the last time and becane a division of General Dynamic. For 37 years the company lain dormant until Joseph W. Fleming acquired the Eko name, moved the company to Highland, N.J., and started making electric marine propulsion systems and electric launches. Elco was once again a builder of boats. In 1988, Charles Houghton and his fonner Harvard classmate, Bill Foster, bought the company for they believed it is time for the Eko electric boats to make a comeback due to the enviromental soundness of the electrically power system. The company has built 50 boats since December 1995 as compared to one PT boat every 60 hours during the height of World War II production. The company is currently upgrading its facilities for the Eko name still has a following.
This paiming is by Harold Carland and shows MTB 309 oflhe 151h MTI3 FlO/ilia /lnder Li. Dellis Jannaill. MTI3 309 panicipcl/ed in a raid against Tobruk in Septembe/; 1942. Coutesy of Harold Garland.
234
235
APPENDIX IV PT Boat "Insignias" of WWII Operating Squadrons
ollrresy of PT BoCII Muselllll.
Also from the publisher
UNITED STATES NAVAL VESSELS The Official United States Navy Reference Manual Prepared by the Division of Naval Intelligence 1 SEPTEMBER 1945 Introduction by Samuel Loring Morison This book comprises four manuals compiled from official source during World War It. Manuals uch as those in this book, were distributed widely through the fleet and used constantly as a tandard reference. The Office of Naval Intelligence published alibrary of manual that covered our own Navy a well as British, French, oviet,Japanese and German Navies, among others. The fir t pan of this book comprises the manual entitled ONI 222 • US: U ITED STATES AVAL VESSELS. In the official introduction to this manual, Commodore Thomas B. Inglis, US 1, Acting Director of Naval Intelligence states, "It is agraphic and statistical picture of the U.S. Navy at its peak in numerical strength. The information in this manual is corrected to and as of 1 eptember 1945" The second pan of this book is a study compiled by the Statistical Section of the Office of Naval Intelligence. Entitled THE UNITED STATES FLEET (From Pearl Harbor to Oct. 1, 1945), the purpose of this study is two fold. As it states in the introduction, "the purpose of the present table is A: To provide a
compact and readily intelligible overall view of the United States Fleet. (1) Before the onset of War, (2) At the end of the war, (3) At the present time, and (4) As pre ently being built for the future, and B: To pre ent a ummary of the changes which have taken place in the nited tates Fleet, documented by the names or hull numbers of the ves el whose statu have changed." The latter includes those ships sunk during the war and convenecl!reclassified to other uses. The final pan of this book is a reprint of a 1 December 1944 document entitled INDEX OF UNITED STATES FLEET. This document was prepared by Commander, Air Force, Pacific Fleet. Excepting unnamed ships and craft, all vessels are included. They are listed individually by their claSSification, followed by their name, in tabular form under their class name. While this document does not include unnamed ships, such as those found in the Patrol Vessel and Amphibious categories, the manual does include a eparate section for LANDING SHIPS, CRAFf AND VEHICLES, with characteristics and illustrations, at the end of the document. ize: 1 "x 11" over 1500 b/\\' photographs, drawing, profile, chans, indexes 672 pages, hard cover
ISBN: 0--643-0090-3 AL'a/lable August
7500
USS SARATOGA (CV-3) An Illustrated History of the Legendary Aircraft Carrier
1927-1946 John Fry Originally laid down as one of six giant battle cruisers, the Saratoga survived the 1922 Washington Disarmament Treaty's cutting torch through her conver ion to a new, and eemingly benign type of ves elthe aircraft carrier. he reponed for duty off Long Beach, California in 1927 and for the next twelve year trained the men who would eventually fight World War 11. One of only three carriers on duty at the outset of World War ll, Saratoga, at one point, was the sole American carrier available to Naval Aviation. he suffered twO torpedo attacks and ahorrifying kamikaze attack, and IVa reponed sunk many times by the Japanese. Refitted as a night-attack carrier, then relegated to the role of training carrier, Saratoga survived the war only to be sacrificed in the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. No carrier, or hip, played a greater role in developing the men and tactic' that became the massive force that is nited States Naval Aviation.
Size: 8 1 _" x J I" over 200 b/\\' photographs 176 pages, hard cover ISB : 0·7643-0089-X 39.95 Available Augusl
