The famous Patrol Torpedo boats of World War II are probably better known for their service in the Pacific due to John F. Kennedy’s PT-109 episode. But they also provided valuable service in the Mediterranean Sea. Generally, there were two main models of PT boats built during the war, the 80’ long Elco boats (such as PT-109) and the 78’ long Higgins. They both shared the same powerplant of three Packard gas engines, and generally the same armament (though the actual armament of each boat tended to vary wildly as crews improvised).
The National World War II Museum, located in New Orleans, on Tuesday launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $100,000 to complete its PT-305 restoration project, and hopes to have the boat sailing Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain by early next year.
"It helps us cover all of the costs that are needed to transport the boat to the water and cover all the testing and certifications so the boat is ready to operate," Tom Czekanski, the museum’s director of exhibitions and collections, told FoxNews.com.
The battle-hardened boat, which operated in the Mediterranean along the coasts of southern France and Northern Italy, conducted more than 77 offensive patrols and operations, fought in 11 separate actions and sank three German ships during its 14-month deployment, according to the museum.
Good luck to them.
Interestingly, there already is a restored 78’ Higgins PT, in Portland, Oregon of all places.
The PT-658 never quite made it overseas for the war, but did serve as a picket boat with the Navy until 1958. After years as a private vessel, and falling into disrepair, a private non-profit took possession and spent more than a decade restoring her to virtually her original wartime configuration.
Next time I’m headed to Oregon, I’m going to be sure to visit PT-658, and the LCI-713 as well.
XBradTC 
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