Elco

Elco. The Electric Launch Company, commonly known as Elco, was a pioneering American firm that became a dominant force in the design and construction of small naval vessels, most famously its PT boats used during World War II. Founded in the late 19th century, the company evolved from building electric-powered pleasure craft to producing critical combat vessels for the United States Navy. Its innovative designs and mass-production techniques left a lasting impact on naval strategy and marine manufacturing.

History

The company was established in 1892 by Isaac Leopold Rice to manufacture electric-powered launches, capitalizing on the emerging technology championed by inventors like Thomas Edison. Elco gained international fame by building the fleet of 55 electric launches for the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago in 1893. During World War I, the company shifted to war production, constructing submarine chasers and motor launches for the Allied forces. The interwar period saw Elco consolidate its operations at its main plant in Bayonne, New Jersey, and engage in prestigious yacht building. The outbreak of World War II catalyzed Elco's most significant chapter, as it won a pivotal contract from the United States Department of the Navy to produce the PT boat, based on a design from the British Power Boat Company. Under the leadership of executives like Henry R. Sutphen, Elco's facilities became a hub of intense activity, delivering hundreds of vessels that served with distinction in theaters like the Pacific War and the Mediterranean Sea.

Products and services

Elco's primary output evolved from civilian pleasure craft to specialized military vessels. Its early products included elegant, battery-powered launches and yachts for the luxury market. Its wartime manufacturing focused overwhelmingly on the iconic 80-foot Elco PT boat, which was armed with torpedoes, machine guns, and later radar systems. These boats were powered by three Packard marine engines, enabling high-speed attacks. Beyond the PT boat, Elco's portfolio included the earlier PT-20-class prototypes, rescue boats, and various designs for patrol craft. The company also offered comprehensive services in Naval architecture, Marine engineering, and custom boat building, applying its expertise to both commercial and government contracts throughout its operational history.

Notable projects

The most famous Elco project was the mass production of over 350 PT boats for the United States Navy during World War II, including the vessel commanded by future President John F. Kennedy, PT-109. Another significant early undertaking was creating the entire fleet of electric launches for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, a showcase that propelled the company to prominence. Elco also built the USS *Vixen*, a notable presidential yacht used by multiple commanders-in-chief. In the postwar era, the company was involved in designing and constructing vessels for the United States Coast Guard and pursued contracts related to the Korean War, though it never regained its wartime industrial scale. The technological legacy of its hull designs influenced subsequent generations of fast attack craft globally.

Corporate structure

Originally incorporated as the Electric Launch Company, it operated as a subsidiary under the umbrella of the Electric Boat Company, which was also founded by Isaac Leopold Rice. Following World War II, the company faced declining military orders and was eventually absorbed by its former parent, Electric Boat, a division of the defense conglomerate General Dynamics. Key industrial sites included its primary shipyard and headquarters in Bayonne, New Jersey, and other facilities that supported its sprawling wartime production efforts. The management and engineering teams worked closely with naval bureaus like the Bureau of Ships and collaborated with other major defense contractors such as Higgins Industries and Boeing.

See also

* Higgins Industries * PT boat * Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three * Battle of the Bismarck Sea * Naval history of World War II

Category:Defense companies of the United States Category:Shipbuilding companies of the United States Category:Companies established in 1892 Category:World War II naval ships