Hammacher Schlemmer’s catalog is subtitled: “Offering the Best, the Only and the Unexpected for 164 years.” One item for sale certainly qualifies as “unique.” They currently list for sale the World War II PT-728, the only PT boat in existence licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard for carrying passengers. They are asking $1,000,000 for the refurbished boat.
The Genuine PT Boat
This is PT-728, a 66 1/2 year-old restored Patrol Torpedo Boat from World War II. With a keel laid on August 10, 1945, she is one of 12 remaining PT boats in the world. She is “armed” (all weapons are deactivated) with a single .50- and two twin .50-caliber Browning machine gun stations, an aft 20mm Oerlikon cannon, four tubes that each housed a Mark VIII torpedo, and two depth charge launchers. Built in the Annapolis Yacht Yard using a 72′ British Vosper design, her hard-chined, triple-ply mahogany hull is nearly flat at the stern, allowing her to “plane” on top of the water at speeds up to 42 knots, a necessity for quick getaways after a torpedo run. So compelling was a PT boat’s performance that Nelson Rockefeller converted one into a high-speed yacht for commutes between Albany and New York City. Updated with modern electronics, radar, and two turbo-charged diesel engines providing 1,100 total horsepower, she is the only PT boat in existence licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard for carrying passengers. Special conditions and guarantee limitations apply. Please call 1-800-227-3528 for details. 72′ L x 18′ W x 7′ 4″ H.
Sounds like a real power house with 2 diesels putting out 1,100 combined horsepower, until you consider that an original 80′ Elco PT boat sported three 1,200 HP Packard turbocharged engines that were so powerful the hulls needed special strengthening. Elco boats sported six mufflers on the transom, one for each bank of six cylinders. When it was time to be stealthy, you muffled the engines. When it was time to go to flank, you un-muffled a 4″ straight pipe right off the exhaust manifolds. The sound un-muffled and at full blower must have been amazing.
They built many of those hulls in a special jig that enabled the workmen to roll the whole hull over for planking, and I understand it required over 1 million screws to plank an Elco hull. Tremendously strong boats without any carbon fiber, fiberglass or high tech epoxy resin.
This one is very nice, but nothing tops an 80′ Elco with 3,600 Horsepower worth of howling Packard V-12 engines at full throttle coming at ya….
Don’t waste your money!
They were all made out of plywood!
There are not that many left as claimed, if at any..
Most were BURNED after WW-II, but one did survive and it was owned by Ernest Borgnine from McHale’s Navy fame.
The National PT Boat Museum at Battleship Cove
P.T. Boats were powered by three 4M-2500 Packard Marine Engines developed by the Packard Motor Car Company specifically for the United States Motor Torpedo Boat program. The Packard Marine is a powerful high-speed supercharged, lightweight engine of the aviation type.
Basic characteristics
60 degree Vee-type twelve-cylinder
Liquid cooled
4 stroke cycle
Fuel – 100 octane aviation gasoline
Horse power
1200 hp – 1940
1350 hp – 1943
1500 hp – 1945
Increases in horsepower were made to compensate for the constant additions of heavier armament put on the boats during WWII. P.T. Boats achieved 45 knots top speed during shakedown testing but averaged about 40 knots under normal combat conditions.
The forces of nature had profound effects on the PT boat’s speed. Warm sea temperatures would hinder the engine’s cooling systems and sea growth on the bottom of the boats would also reduce speed performance. The height of sea swells would not only affect speed but could damage the boat and possibly injure the crew if a PT Boat tried to run head-on into a 12-foot sea at high speeds.
http://www.battleshipcove.com/pt-power-plant.htm
hmmm . . . i thought this one lived for some years on the rondout in kingston owned, i thought, by rob ianucci. i wonder how Hammacher Schlemmer got ahold of it . . .
If I am not mistaken, this boat was operated out of Key West, Fl recently as a tourist attraction. When they cranked those diesels it was loud but what a chance to ride a piece of history!
This boat is a “replica” of an Elco 80′ vessel. It was built in Annapolis, MD originally under license from Vosper (British Company) which would explain the claim it was used in the TV show McHale’s Navy. The TV show boat was a British MTB replica, not an American PT. Almost all of the war time PT’s were built by two major builders. Electric Boat Company, Connecticut (some built in their NJ plant) and Higgins Boat Company of New Orleans, LA. The Higgins boats also used the Packard engines, but were 8 feet shorter than their ELCO counterparts. Due to the shortness in length, the Higgins models had to mount the older, longer torpedo tubes in a staggered overlapping configuration already angled outward for firing. The ELCO boats had to have their tubes cranked outward to avoid running over the torpedo as it was being fired. Later in the war they were just dropped over the side, eliminating the need for firing tubes.
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Capt kelly in key west was the captain onboard pt728 for eight years and did two major refits on pt728…he can tell the complete history.
@BobK
True that the triple Packards would’ve been a helluva lot more HP on the waves, but one needs to keep in mind that those were carbuerated, and designed to run off of leaded 100 octane gasoline, and that’s pretty darn expensive these days. Twin turbo diesels oughta get the job done for civilian life plenty well, and the diesels will be a lot more fuel efficient and less costly. Spend a mil on the boat itself….you really wanna spend 4 to 5 bucks a gallon minimum to fuel it when you could pay a lot less on the diesel?
For many years the Sea Scouts in Kearney, NJ had one just like this. I took a tour. It had two(2) diesel engines, I believe were turbo-charged mercedes. Scouts closed down, I tried to find out where boat went but to no avail. Wonder if this is it?
Strange. I could have sworn I saw dozens of these boats lining the banks along the Inner coastal waterway south of Norfolk back in 2001. Pretty certain there were quite a few of them. But when I went back in 2002, they didn’t seem to be there anymore. Would have loved to have had one to restore. What a beautiful hull and nice lines these had!!!
Wow, what a great gift idea for Christmas. think of the speed; think of the sound. Think of the fun, I could play McHale’s Navy all the time. . . I would have to capture a Japanese Sailor to be the cook. . .LOL I live in the desert so this really makes sense to me. I can dream can’t I. . .Cheers
These boats are awesome and I would like to own one someday. Has anyone out there ever considered building one?
Building 3 in Australia as we speak all fitted all combat ready replicas unvaling of the boats will mid 2014. 2 may or may not be sold…
My father retired out of continetal motor works in muskegon mi. They built 12cylinder motors for u.s. tanks until we went turbine. It is my understanding they also built engines for the PTs…(?) maybe under Packerd TM
Dave, I been looking for a boatyard that will build a “large” Pt boat. One that will go transatlantic. I have a ladyfriend in England I’d like to see again. LOL
Always been a fan of Pt Boats ,ever since as a boy Sea Cadet (in the UK) I provided a guard of honour for the premier of the film PT 109 back in the 50,s . Went on to serve 28 years in the Royal Navy some on British MTB.s , but nothing like the glamour or adventure those old PT Boats must have been.
Long may old timers like myself strive to find/restore and keep this part of the Navy History alive. Good Luck all you old sea dogs, it must be TOT time, grog to you or rum time like we used to have in the real old navy. Pete Signalman 1st class
All these remarks about the P.T. Boats powerful engines remind me of our machinist on our P.T. Boat 532 on patrol during WW 2 in the phillipines. He was prone to sea sickness and the fumes from the three Pakards always aggravated the situation. Once we were underway on a patrol he would wedge himself under an aft torpedo, spill his lunch, and then he would be alright the rest of the night. He could have been transferred out of P.T’s but beloved those engines!!!
I worked for almost 7 years on the RV Inland Seas in SF Bay the boat was an old ARV made in WW2. They had taken out the gas motors and put in two Grey Marine diesels. The boat hauled children on two trips a day for almost 20+ years until she was retired. The .50 cal mounts were still able to be seen when below deck. A very well made wood boat.
Always been a fan of the PT Boats. It took a lot of guts for those old Sailers to go out on missions in the fast but a non-armored boat to engage the enemy. One of the best ideas we had in the Pacific, fast and powerful, cheap to build and destructive but effective. May the PT live on… if only in pictures… not many left.
My Uncle, George Kempfe, was a Motor Mac on an Elco during the last few years of the war in the Pacific. The comment about blowing lunch over the side gave me a laugh. “Unc” said he always had a large tin can tied around his neck when down below, so he didn’t puke all over the engine deck! I think I have a photo! He’s 94 and still bowls twice a week. I flew Helo’s in Viet Nam……’ah to be young and crazy again! My hats off to these guys and my Dad and his Brother, one on a Tin Can in the North Atlantic and my Dad on a LCM in the Pacific. Anyone out there know my Uncle George??
While flying out of the Philippines for Air Phil. I saw a WWII PT boat at Subic Bay it had 3 Packard Merlins and looked great. This was in 1994..
Leo
The family story is that my great uncle bought a PT boat in San Diego, way back when, with another fellow with plans to pilot it to Alaska. The second man backed out of the trip and my Great Uncle took it up by himself.
Not sure how possible that is but it helped keep up an image of psudo-certifiable ancestral insanity.
I found this site because Im very interested in buying one, and did not and do not expect to find an original. If I did I would donate it to the Chicago Museum of science and Industry as a working PT to be displayed some where near the captured U505 which rests permanently indoors in Chicago. I’m from a navy family. I also enjoyed the comments about the power plants in these bad boys and your rite guys it must have sounded awesome (goose bumps on a rock!) Last but not at all least…a retort to the comment about Gas Vs Diesel costs….if you worry about that…you can’t afford one of these BAD BOYS!!!! Luv, Boating and Beer (safely) Kurt
My dad was one of the last anti aircraft gunners on the USS TEXAS, number 2 turret, blowing the “divine wind” out of the sky!! God bless all VETS! until next time guys …be well.
served on the uss salisbury sound av13 from dec 1954 to feb 1957 i usedto watch the pt converted crash boats go out at sangley point in the phillipines . they hard the most wonderful sound of any machine ever put together by man . there were three pt boats assigned as crash boats tocover saNGLEY POINT NAS AIRCRAFT NEEDS.
tripule estos lanchas torpederas en la Armada Argentina,que eran resagos de la WW2,compradas a EEUU,fueron lo mejor que conoci a pesar de navegar aguas australes Argentinas(Canal de Beagle)que hermosa sensación,inolvidable,siempre la recuerdo con cariño y ya pasado 42 Años y ahora la he visto recuperadan la Ciudad de Ushuaia,en un parque tematico.
It has been a long time dream to own a WWII PT Boat. History has always been sorta my thing, To own a piece of History would be the ultament.(sp). my love for Historic Weapons,(pt boats,rifles,handguns,and fullyautomatic ones) will be with me till the day I’m gone.
So, PT Boats are Made of PLYWOOD, They are a part of American History; Even if I was in the Army (1-72/12-84) History is a part of who we are.
Well, yes and no. What was called plywood in WWII would not be called plywood today.
From “Plywood Battleships”
For those of you chomping at the bit to take issue with the word “plywood,” consider this; words often take on different meanings for succeeding generations…. Today’s plywood is composed of thin sheets of wood (of various dimensions), joined together by the generous use of glue. PT boat hulls were composed of double planked 1″ mahogany fastened with monel (brass- aircraft type) screws. Sandwiched between the layers of mahogany planks was a layer (or ply) of canvas.
Impressive, I wonder if 20mm Oerlikon cannons still work as they used to. Would like to try them for fun on open sea. 🙂
all the pt boats were gas
Right. I think they all had Packard 4M-2500 engines, if I am not mistaken. Most surviving boats appear to have been re-engined with turbo-diesels.
If anyone wants to get a feel for what it’s like to run a PT boat, just call Richie sutphen in Florida. His relatives designed the PT boats and he builds 30 to 40 ft boats that very much resemble a PT boat. I’ve owned several and can tell you they are one hell of a rough water boat. I can’t even imagine an 80 footer.
They are plywood core, with fiberglass but it’s the closest your probably going to get to a PT boat today for reasonable money.
Sutphen runner, how can richie sutphen be contacted, interested to know more of their work
I REBILT PT 515 FROM STEM TO STERN IT WAS CLARK GABLE BOAT ONE TIME NO ELCO WAS BUILT OF PLY WOOD THEY WERE DOUBLE PLANK CRIS CROSS MOGHANY OF DIFERENT SIZES MY FATHER ASK IF WE WERE EATING THE WOOD THE BOAT IS IN NEW YORK SEA PORT WHEN GOT IT THE KEEL WAS FULL OF TAR AND THE BOAT WAS CALLED TAR BABY IN PHILA WE CHANGED THE NAME TO FLAGSHIP III LARRY FLUEHR
I have always regarded the PT Boat the ultimate to own.I could do with living by a boat yard,an 80foot boat will not fit at home.Nice to Dream.
You have to have a PT Boat with the three Packard V-12 engines, because they’re an incredible ride. Packard but terrific engines. The big downside to the Packard engine were their gas consumption, which was horrible. The Navy didn’t care during military operations during the war. But after the war, the gas consumption was not tolerable, and they couldn’t be sold to anyone either. That’s why they rounded them up and burned them. Only a small amount survived. Its a shame that the Navy send some to museums around the country, but they didn’t.
I just came from the Deland, Fl NAS museum and got the honor of seeing the restoration they doing on PTF3. The gentleman that showed us everything was a fantastic and very intelligent man. We got to inside and up on the deck. This boat has the Napier Deltic 18 cylinder turbodiesels, which they have on site. You can’t get much closer to a piece of history than this. Plus they have an F14 Tomcat and a TBM Avenger they are working on. Go see it and throw a few dollars in the box. You won’t be disapointed!
Vietnam War – Coast Guard was assigned Patrol Duties using left over PT Boats during the conflict. When the US pulled out the PT’s that were still useable were left with the South Vietnamese however, if not sunk the couple that remained working after the War were sold, converted and used to transport material up and down the Mekong River. I remember reading a long time ago that one was still in use in the late 70’s early 80’s. I’m sure somewhere along the Mekong River remnants can be found of these magnificent vessels. Regarding everyone’s comments about the fuel usage by these ships, first if you can afford the light sum of $1Million for PT728, fuel costing $5-$12 per gallon is really an insignificant amount…! I’m not sure the fuel capacity but let’s say it’s a thousand gallons of 100 Octane fuel @$7 per/gal, that’s only $7k! A drop in the bucket compared to the maintenance and docking fees for an 80 footer on a monthly basis and even that is not outrageous for a Million dollar boat which is a part of our American history. This was not available when I had commissioned a replica to be built to as exacting a standard as could possibly be with of course modern navigational equipment on board for the long journeys we have planned for her……………… 🙂 It was a short time after my deposit that PT728 came on the market, too late to pull out of our commissioned vessel. After much planning, scheduling matters, and other obstacles FINALLY She is Close to being completed. Delivery is scheduled for May-’15 and we are in the process of getting a PT designation for her through the proper channels. It’s the # I have chosen for her that seems to be the sticking point with the proper people involved but I’m hopeful soon we’ll be shoving off……..
I was one of the many Key West captains who skippered PT 728 during her years docked in front of the Schooler Wharf Bar. She was a blast to drive and we took tourists out and made faux torpedo runs at schooners full of other sun-baked tourists. She was powered by two Detroit Deisels and did maybe 15 knots, no where near the 38 kts. with her original Packard gas engines. I stumbled on this site and am glad the old girl is still afloat. She belongs in a museum.
re: Vietnam PBRs – patrol boat river: I saw them in action on the Cua Viet River in northern I Corps ( as a Marine grunt from shore) and they we much smaller than PT boat. I’m pretty sure there were no PT boats in Nam.
Picture of PT 658 underway on US Navy website, listed in all photoes section.
060610-N-0975R-002 Portland Ore. (June 10, 2006) – Patrol Torpedo Boat (PT) 658 transit past U.S. Navy ships at the Portland Rose Festival. PT 658 was saved by volunteers and veterans from the Oregon area. The group successfully restored the 50-Ton World War II Motor Boat to full operational condition including the full armament and three original Packard V-12 engines. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ralph Radford (RELEASED
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The P.T. boats were not made out of plywood. They were made out of mahogany and sealed with a special glue. The only one left is up in Portland, Oregon which was brought there from California. It has been restored by some of the men who manned them. They will never be forgotten. God Bless them all !!
Not all U.S. PT boats were made of wood. There were four boats made that were aluminum, Thet were designated as the Osprey class and numbered by the U.S. Navy as PTF. I believe that the assigned numbers were 23, 24, 25, with 26 bring the one that I am familiar with.They were powered by two (2) Napier Deltic high speed diesel engines @ 3300 HP each, swinging two (2) 50×52 over square props. The boats were 95′ in length and weighed in at 115 tons wet. There is not al lot of known history involved with them, but they were active during the Viet Nam era. Back in the States the 23 and 25 boats went to the East coast and the 24 and 26 boats remained on the West coast. The PTF-26 is the most notorious of the four and although involved in numerous law suits in the late 1980’s, she was active working under contract to the Navy, with a civilian crew out of Port Hueneme Ca. I’ve tried to track the 26 boat and the last place she was known to be was beached somewhere in the San Francisco bay area after being re-engined and run by Sea Scouts or some other such group.
What gets confusing is that the PT boats were not made of what we would call plywood today. However, because they were built using glue and laminated planking, the construction was referred to as “plywood” during World War II. So no, PT were not built of modern plywood but they were built of what was called plywood in the 1940s.
I can say I have been on this PT several times the years it was in Key West, and knew its captain and crew that did a very acurate sunset tour in WWII uniform. It even made attack runs on the other vessels at full speed.
Because of the mostly flat but bow and front quarter, it could do hard port or starbord turns at full speed and hardly list let alone capsize. It was a real hoot to go out on.
I was really sorry to see it go, but the person that bought it was a real jerk, who just wanted a toy, took it to New York and sort of neglegently trashed it.
Glad to see its still around though. Have several video of those sunset patrol cruises, to remeber it by though.
I was an Aviation Radioman flying Amphibious Grumman J2F5&6 with Utility Squadron VJ13 stationed on Guadalcanal in 1944. One of our jobs was to rendezvous with PT boats off the island as an air/sea rescue drill. We would throttle the plane down and drop very low into formation just behind two of these PT oats. They had to be doing better than 42 knots because we needed 80 knots to stay airborne. I figure that a headwind helped keep us flying but even so, they had to be faster than the numbers I read here. We never kept the formation for more than a minute, but I recall matching their speed.
As I think back on the very minimum speed of the J2F6 it was about 62 knots. That was the speed we needed to lift off water.
The one the sea scouts had ,was powered by 2 8v71 Detroits
The only thing plywood on a PT was the deck. The hulls were 2 layers of 3/8″ mahogany
The problem is one of terminology. The layers of mahogany were termed “plywood” in the 1940s.
there are 4 hulls of PT boats in Kingston NY . up on blocks
There was a PT boat in Port Jefferson, L.I. N.Y. many years ago used as a party fishing boat. It tied up at the marina . I believe it was in the 60’s and lasted only a few years.
You and see the 4 PT boats on blocks in Kingston, NY on Google maps and Street View. 1 is PT 728 (nicely restored) beside it is PT (can only see the bottom of the numbers) maybe 818. Down the street is PT 48 (in work) and one next to it that I can’t see the number.
Just finished fabrication of new binnacle for PT 305, being refurbished at New Orleans’ WWII Museum.
Does anyone have knowledge or better yet, a picture of the binnacle as installed and in use, on a Higgins boat?????
Thanks, jomac9@charter.net
have a nos 4m 2500 Packard for sale with transmission starter complete for running just add gas and oil.
can someone tell me more about the 4 PT’s at Kingston, NY? can someone
tell me if there is one for sale at a boatyard in Farmington, NJ? am looking
for one for a museum.
Hey Eric, could you give me more details about the engine?
email: Pcarl1279@hotmail.com
Hello i have some parts for Packard 4m-2500.who has origin from
Norwegian Marine,theese engines was used in mtb boats in Norway
under ww2,
Send me a Mail if you are interested,the parts is in good condition.
Bearings,piston,cylinder liner,…………………..ca,350kg unused parts.
Tanks.oddasolb@online.no
My dad was a CPO stationed at the crash boats at Port Hueneme, CA in the 50’s. They were constantly used by Pt Magu NAS for the naval missle testing. My brother and I rode the boats a lot for trips in the Santa Catalina Sound. We also went fishing frequently on them. The mess hall made us food and we gassed up with av gas and off we went. Can’t do that today. I bet only a few people can say they drove PT boats but I did with my dad alongside. They were about five crash boats at Hueneme, most still had their tubes left. One boat still had operational radar. I still wonder what happened to them and that wonderful Packard sound at high speed.
PT728 was moored outside Schooners bar in Key West Florida several years ago when I saw her and was able to take a ride in the Gulf of Mexico. At the time she was powered by twin 8-92 Detroits. Then the next year she was gone and no one could tell us what happened to her. Then I heard from a co worker that she was being resurrected at the Liberty air force museum so my wife and I will be traveling there this summer of 2016 to hopefully catch another ride this time under the power of the infamous Packard Merlins. According to the captain at the time, she played a starring role in the series Mchales Navy, and the movies sleeping with the enemy and PT 109.
Just read this entire thread. I’m a big Sutphen fan and currently own 2, a 31 and a 39 built by Rich Sutphen Sr. as mentioned above. I thought you guys may be interested in these videos of Elco Marine from Bayonne NJ. They show the entire construction of the 80 footers, and running sea trials after completion. Great history and as someone mentioned above there is quite a resemblance to the fiberglass boats still being built today.
Part 1 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8tQP3s9DIQ
Part 2 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e6Ei5UvLqI
Part 3 video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN47z3n52-c
Someone asked how to contact the Sutphens personally.
Rich Sutphen Sr. Builder of 31′ through 40′ models.
http://www.sutphenpowerboats.com/
Rich Sutphen Jr. Builder of 16’11” through 27’7″ models
http://www.sutphenboats.com/
Henry Neubauer said a boat was powered by twin 8V-92 Detroit diesels. I worked in a factory that made the crankshafts for these engines. The number 92 refers to the cubic inches per cylinder.
SEA HORSE 7, Brunswick,N.J. Kearney boat docks.
Been a long time. I was a Sea Scout in North Plainfield N.J. one of 3 Sea Scout units in the area. Edison, had the Albatross, it was a small tug.
The Sea Horse, was the envy of everyone. No Packard’s, had 2 Cummins diesels. We scouts had to remember the history, and we worked the boat! even when on a cruise we took turns, hand pumping the bilge standing between the engines. I know they were souped up Cummins as a Mr Toth from Cummins diesel was one of our officers, and I remember when in dry dock he personally brought a crew to rebuild the engines! It was a big deal!The Sea horse after W.W.II was converted into a ocean bottom sounding boat Geographics, in fact the sounding equipment was still in the hull. The boat was donated to the Sea Scouts about 1960. (Out of Bayonne). It was docked (anywhere for free) on the Raritan. near Downtown Brunswick, University Boat house area. The boat sank in the winter do to ice flow, I mean to the bottom!eventually the Group Officers, Toth, some Piscatawy Policemen. One was a long time Officer leader. they were able to drag to beach using tow trucks. The Packards were removed! and the Boat brought to Kearney for rebuild. I became a member just after. 3 years. I remember how quick the sea horse was, to help with funding (well maybe the officers were Partying) we would go out on Fishing trips. and open the engines up on the Raritan. I attempted at times to locate the group, but nothing, except a lady who said that the Sea Horse was around someplace as she was one of the last scouts, (Open to girls later on) Sadly she said N.J. had turned it’s back on the wholesome fun activities and Liberal whiner groups made it rough, It got really politically dumb! The Policeman from Piscatawy,( I can’t remeber his name just know, his family may know more about what happened to the Sea Horse. I remember taking rides in his open cockpit 1930″s Air plane, at Hadley Airport. I know the town is small and several family members were on the force. I suppose one can inquire.
When this boat PT 728 was in Key West I maintained the twin Detroit Diesel engines, they were 8V-71T. This was an original PT boat. They were not plywood, they were made of three layers of 3/8″ or 1/2″ by 3″ mahogany planks, glued between layers on diagonals, with copper fasteners. Was real fun tour especially for younger kids. Capt. let them steer the boat. I use to fire the 20mm, by dropping a M-80 done the barrel.
PT728 is being restored at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton, OH. In fact, I believe that it is almost completed. I got to ride this boat when it was in Key West several years ago. I even got to take the helm! What a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I will be going to the museum to see this incredible boat this week, taking my 82-year old dad with me.
Wooden Boat magazine (Aug ’16) has an excellent article on the restoration of PT658. Lovely thing but, boy, 500 galls per hour at speed !
When I was a boy circa 1960 we were on holiday in Anglesey, Wales and what we Brits call an MTB came into the bay. Don’t know whether it was the same as a PT but certainly very similar. I think this was Vosper built, had the triple Packards. My Dad knew the owner from WWII, so we were invited aboard and had a blast round the bay – great ! The owner said he usually only ran one engine, for obvious reasons, but kept the other two exercised.
I was in the Sea Scouts in Petaluma, CA in the early 1980’s and our boat at that time was a PT boat. I only know that it has been replaced and the name “Compass Rose” has passed to its replacement. Many fond memories of the Bay and Delta from its deck. It was hauled out for hull maintenance at Mare Island when the Nautilus arrived for decommissioning and tied up next to us.
My father and his older half brother purchased a M.T.B. in the late 40’s for fish off the N.E. coast of England. They replaced the 3 Packards with a diesel engine. The hull was not designed to operate at 5 Kts. in rough seas. It nealy killed them both. One of their many money making failures. The engines alone, would be valuable now.
There is a complete Higgins boat stored indoors at the Fall River museum in Fall River Mass. They also have an Elco (I think) boat as well as the USS Mass, The Kennedy missile cruiser and a Gato class sub.