PT-658: Several weeks ago a UHH'er posted some info about what I believe was described as the "last remaining" PT boat, but if my memory is correct, it was used in a foreign service.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Several weeks ago a UHH'er posted some info about what I believe was described as the "last remaining" PT boat, but if my memory is correct, it was used in a foreign service. The designation PT stood for Patrol Torpedo; the most famous of these boats was PT-109 that was commanded by President Kennedy.

A week or so ago I came across a fascinating article in Wooden Boat magazine that describes the rescue, re-construction and re-re-construction (she caught fire during the first reconstruction) of PT-658. Unlike the boat described in the aforementioned post, the #658 boat is "...the only fully restored and operational U.S. Navy PT boat afloat complete with three 5M-2500 V-12 Packard Marine engines and WW-II era weapons, electronics, equipment and accessories..." (WoodenBoat Magaxine) She is now berthed on Swan Island Lagoon, Portland, OR.

If you would like more information about this boat, the article is in the August 2016 issue. You may be able to find a copy in your local library or contact WoodenBoat Publications, P.O. Box 16598, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6958. Telephone 1-800-877-5284 (US & Canada)

usn ret Loc: SoCal High Desert

There are several links to youtube videos about PT-658...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG8x8C5I8a0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sx_AxoK7Cc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp9ijOGo5SY

And there are more with a little searching. enjoy!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

JCam wrote:

Several weeks ago a UHH'er posted some info about ... (show quote)

There are several PT boats in Kingston, NY. This organization keeps and restores them. They have the last of one particular brand - Elco, I think.

These pictures are from about 2008, and it seems the PT 728 has been sold and moved.
http://www.oldsaltblog.com/2012/06/update-pt-728-world-war-ii-patrol-torpedo-boat-bound-for-new-home-in-port-clinton-ohio/

Big Bill Loc: Phoenix, AZ

When I was a lad, we went on vacation in Pass-a-Grill, Florida.
We went out on a "deep-sea" fishing trip on a surplus PT boat. It was a blast when those three engines were let loose!

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

Hi All, The WWII museum in New Orleans, has restored a PT boat. It is either now on display, or will be on display soon. For WWII fans this museum is worth a visit when visiting New Orleans.

B

FL Streetrodder

Back in June, 1966 when I was attending Coast Guard boot camp in Cape May, NJ they had a PT boat (109) running out of Wildwood that was painted bright pink and took tourists out for rides. We could here that boat blasting down the coast from miles away, those Packard V-12's sure had a distinctive exhaust note!

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

FL Streetrodder wrote:

Back in June, 1966 when I was attending Coast Guard boot camp in Cape May, NJ they had a PT boat (109) running out of Wildwood that was painted bright pink and took tourists out for rides. We could here that boat blasting down the coast from miles away, those Packard V-12's sure had a distinctive exhaust note!

Since PT-109 was lost when it was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer during WW II leading to the ex-President's swimming exploits to save one crew member, this boat is obviously a reproduction or replica, but why would they paint it pink? Seems a bit disrespectful to the real 109 and all PT- boat crews.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

JCam wrote:

...but why would they paint it pink? Seems a bit disrespectful to the real 109 and all PT- boat crews.

Maybe they had just seen that Cary Grant submarine movie.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Petticoat

DavidPhares Loc: Chandler, Arizona

Here's a copy from Wooden Boat Mag.

http://www.woodenboat.com/sites/default/files/bonus-content/xptboats-sm.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uofuppGhRk.jpg

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DavidPhares wrote:

Here's a copy from Wooden Boat Mag.

http://www.woodenboat.com/sites/default/files/bonus-content/xptboats-sm.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uofuppGhRk.jpg

Pull into a marina with that, and people would run for cover.

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

DavidPhares wrote:

Here's a copy from Wooden Boat Mag.

http://www.woodenboat.com/sites/default/files/bonus-content/xptboats-sm.jpg.pagespeed.ic.uofuppGhRk.jpg

Thanks for posting this link, Dave.

I didn't even look on line as the magazine is a quarterly publication and an August issue is still considered current so I didn't think it would be posted so soon.

Jim

Big Bill Loc: Phoenix, AZ

JCam wrote:

Since PT-109 was lost when it was cut in half by a Japanese destroyer during WW II leading to the ex-President's swimming exploits to save one crew member, this boat is obviously a reproduction or replica, but why would they paint it pink? Seems a bit disrespectful to the real 109 and all PT- boat crews.

I would imagine for the same reason Pink Jeep Tours in Sedona, AZ, do: it's distinctive.

Abo

I dunno... PT73 was pretty famous

usn ret Loc: SoCal High Desert

Abo wrote:

I dunno... PT73 was pretty famous

Mchale's Navy, always good for a laffff...

Abo

usn ret wrote:

Mchale's Navy, always good for a laffff...

Worked for me too.