PT boats

PT boats. They were a class of fast, small, and heavily armed motor torpedo boats used extensively by the United States Navy during World War II. Designed for hit-and-run attacks against larger surface ships, they operated primarily in the shallow coastal waters and island chains of the Pacific Theater and the Mediterranean Sea. Their agility and firepower made them effective for a variety of missions, including torpedo attacks, anti-submarine warfare, and amphibious warfare support.

Development and design

The development was heavily influenced by pre-war designs from other naval powers, including the Royal Navy's Motor Torpedo Boats and the Kriegsmarine's Schnellboote. The initial design contract was awarded to the Elco Naval Division of the Electric Boat Company, which produced the iconic 80-foot Higgins-designed boats. Key design features included lightweight mahogany hulls constructed using a plywood-and-plywood technique, powered by three Packard marine engines for exceptional speed. The Bureau of Ships oversaw the program, which later included competitive designs from Huckins Yacht Corporation and other builders to meet the urgent demands of the United States Department of the Navy.

Operational history

They entered service following the attack on Pearl Harbor and saw immediate action across the vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean. Their primary theaters included the grueling campaigns in the Solomon Islands, the New Guinea campaign, and the Philippines. In the Atlantic Ocean, they performed vital patrol duties along the East Coast of the United States and supported operations during the Allied invasion of Sicily and the landings at Anzio. Squadrons, such as Squadron 3, were instrumental in disrupting Imperial Japanese Navy supply lines during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea and providing close support for United States Army forces during the Battle of Driniumor River.

Armament and specifications

Standard armament evolved throughout the war, beginning with four Mark 8 torpedoes launched from deck-mounted tubes. Defensive and offensive gun armament was heavily augmented, typically featuring twin .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns in open mounts, a 20 mm Oerlikon cannon aft, and later a 37 mm or 40 mm gun forward. For anti-submarine work, they carried depth charges and Mark 2 grenades. Specifications for the predominant Elco 80-foot model included a top speed over 40 knots, a crew of 12 to 17 officers and men, and a hull built from two layers of mahogany over frames of Philippine mahogany.

Notable engagements and vessels

The most famous incident was the loss of PT-109, commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, after being rammed by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri in the Blackett Strait. The story of Kennedy and his crew's survival became a legendary episode of the Pacific War. Other notable actions included the heroic but costly attack by PT-59 (later also commanded by Kennedy) and other boats against Japanese forces off Choiseul Island. The daring nighttime torpedo attacks by boats of Ron 6 against Japanese cruisers during the Battle of Tassafaronga demonstrated their aggressive tactical use despite the formidable firepower of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Legacy and preservation

Their legacy is cemented in popular culture through films like They Were Expendable, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne, and the political lore surrounding John F. Kennedy. Only two fully restored examples survive: PT-617 and PT-796, both on display at the Battleship Cove maritime museum in Fall River, Massachusetts. Their tactical influence is seen in the continued development of fast attack craft by navies worldwide, including the United States Navy's later patrol boat and special operations craft. The National Museum of the United States Navy in Washington, D.C. also holds significant artifacts and models documenting their service.

Category:Motor torpedo boat classes Category:World War II naval ships of the United States Category:World War II patrol vessels