Restoration

Packard built Rolls Royce V12 Merlin Engine

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WOODEN BOATS

We were sharing a coffee break in the tool shack with some former WWII sailors, retired from civilian pursuits and now engaged in a new, great adventure. One of the gentlemen commanded PT 109.

On a barge anchored at Swan Island in Portland's Willamefte River there sits a WWlI U.S. Navy PT (Patrol Torpedo) boat. A wooden craft in considerable disarray, PT 658 was rescued from the muddy waters of San Francisco Bay by the very determined Portland chapter of WWII PT boat crewmen. These energetic seniors have commenced a long restoration journey to make "the Lady' the only operating circa 1940's PT boat in the world.

The PT boat became a press favorite and glamour item during WWII, commencing with its prominence in newsreels as rescuing General McArthur in the Philippines and, of course, later catching the public's fancy as part of John F. Kennedy's life experiences. In reality, as far as the crewmen were concerned, it was a 'miserable little bugger.' Their memories of the PT: Very rough riding, cramped quarters, loud, noxious 100 octane aviation fuel fumes. Further, it was very dangerous duty. PT boats were regarded by the Navy as expendable. They were commonly used to draw enemy fire, exposing enemy gun positions. As the Navy's smallest, fastest, most maneuverable of all fighting craft in WWII, they were used for frequent, close range contact with enemy naval vessels, darting into convoys to discharge their torpedoes. PT boat crews suffered more casualties than any other surface units and were the most highly decorated sailors in the US Navy.

Although much plywood was used in construction of the PT boat, the hull itself was two layers of mahogany planking laminated over wood frames. A layer of airplane fabric, impregnated with marine glue, was ironed in between the two layers. It was designed for speed: Looking squat and beamy dead in the water, as it gains momentum the bow lifts as much as 50% out of the water throwing a great wave and rooster tail astern.... A thing of beauty! 75 feet long, with a 20 foot beam, the PT could go 45 knots with a full load of 3,000 gallons of fuel, a full armament of torpedoes, depth charges and deck guns, and a crew of ten.

The Portland boys are well on their way to restoration of PT 658. Mahogany planking has been donated. The machinists at Cascade General are renewing gearboxes and drive trains. The three V-12 1500-hp Packard engines are restored and awaiting at dockside. These chaps could, however, use some volunteer time and cash contributions.
"Contact Ai McCready at (503) 281 -2415.

One of the Portland group is Bryant Larson. He commanded PT 109 out of Tulogi, Guadacanal Island through April 1943 when his crew was rotated. Bryant barely remembers turning over the keys to the new commander, a Bostonian later to be known by his initials ... JFK. But, to this day he is clearly annoyed that 'this chap sank my boat.'

October 1, 1997
Monte L. Johnson

The following pictures were captured from a vcr tape taken during the national convention in 1996 and show the condition of the PT at that time. Click on Thumbnails for full size.
Deck	Stern	Bow	Charthouse
Torpedo	40 mm	V12 Back	V12 Side
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