PT-44

PT-44 was a PT boat of the United States Navy that served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Built by Higgins Industries and commissioned in 1942, it was part of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three and operated in the challenging waters of the Solomon Islands campaign. The vessel was lost in action in early 1943, with its wreck site discovered decades later, offering new insights into naval warfare of the period.

Design and specifications

PT-44 was a Higgins 78-foot PT boat, a design that became iconic through its use by the United States Navy. Like its sister ships, it was constructed primarily of mahogany and plywood, utilizing lightweight materials for high speed and maneuverability. Its armament typically included four torpedo tubes, multiple Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and Browning M2 machine guns, and occasionally depth charges or rocket launchers. Powered by three Packard marine engines, the boat could achieve speeds in excess of 40 knots, making it a fast and formidable coastal attack craft against larger Imperial Japanese Navy vessels.

Operational history

Following its commissioning, PT-44 was assigned to the forward-deployed Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, which operated from the advanced base at Tulagi in the Solomon Islands. The boat and its crew, under the overall command of officers like John D. Bulkeley, engaged in the intense nighttime battles that characterized the Guadalcanal campaign. Its missions included torpedo attacks on Japanese destroyers and auxiliary ships, harassing enemy supply lines during the Tokyo Express, and conducting daring rescue operations for downed Allied airmen. These operations placed it in constant danger from enemy warships, such as those from the Japanese 8th Fleet, and from aerial attack by Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters.

Fate and wreck discovery

PT-44 met its end on the night of 12 January 1943 during a patrol near Kamimbo Bay on Guadalcanal. While engaging Japanese forces, it was struck by gunfire from the destroyer ''Hatsukaze'' and possibly other vessels from a Japanese reinforcement convoy. The boat was sunk, with several crew members killed or wounded; survivors were later rescued by other PT boats, including those from Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Two. The exact location of the wreck remained unknown for over 75 years until a team from the R/V Petrel, a research vessel funded by Paul G. Allen, discovered it in 2019. The wreck, resting in deep water, was identified by its hull number and distinctive Higgins design features, providing a tangible link to the fierce naval clashes around the Ironbottom Sound.

Legacy and cultural impact

The service and loss of PT-44 is part of the broader legacy of the PT boat forces, whose exploits were popularized by the service of Lieutenant John F. Kennedy on PT-109 and the subsequent film ''PT 109''. While less famous, PT-44's story contributes to the historical narrative of the brutal campaign in the Solomon Islands and the courage of small-boat crews. The discovery of its wreck by the R/V Petrel expedition has aided naval historians and organizations like the Naval History and Heritage Command in preserving the material history of World War II. The boat and its crew are remembered in memorials and within the collections of museums such as the National Museum of the United States Navy, symbolizing the daring and sacrifice of the United States Navy's coastal forces.

Category:PT boats of the United States Navy Category:World War II patrol vessels of the United States Category:Shipwrecks in the Solomon Islands Category:Maritime incidents in 1943 Category:Ships built in Louisiana Category:1942 ships