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Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA
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I chased that down and sadly, the news was true. I found this on Facebook -
There's some interesting discussion in the comments at that source above, they're going to repair her, assuming they can find the funding of course, but this illustrates how historical things are not forever. Saddened me to see this, but hey, stuff happens.
As I'm still lazy (like that would change) you get a rerun today. Maybe Sunday as well as I'll be on the road (again). While I won't be drinking whiskey with my friends, that's a pleasant thought. But not while operating a motor vehicle.
Just sayin' ...
Anyhoo, here's the rerun, in it's original font ... (Did I mention that I was lazy? Oh yeah, I did.)
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| Bow of PT-617, sole surviving example of an ELCO manufactured PT Boat |
As a kid I loved PT boats, probably because of McHale's Navy, a TV show which came out when I was 9 and and lasted until I was 13. Growing up I thought it would be awesome to actually own one. Now that I'm all grown up, I'd still love to have my own PT boat!
Battleship Cove has two PT boats, one built by Higgins in New Orleans, the other built by ELCO (Electric Launch Company) in Bayonne, NJ.* The boats are housed in a protected shed with a number of cool PT boat related displays.
Did I mention how much I love PT boats?
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| I might be able to afford this one. Maybe? |
Rather than have me go on and on about these boats I'll just show you the pictures I took Sunday last. If you want more, check out the virtual tour at the National Museum of the Pacific War Museum's website here. No doubt Juvat has visited that jewel of a museum. I think I need to convince The Missus Herself that we should vacation in Texas one of these days. |
| A diorama depicting a PT boat base somewhere in the Pacific. |
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| Murphy and I were pondering what use a mortar would be on such a pitching, rolling and yawing platform. |
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| View of the bridge, a twin .50 mount and the aft end of the starboard torpedo tube. |
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| Another view of that gun mount and the plaque denoting this boat as a National Historic Landmark. |
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| 40 mm gun mount. |
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| More cool models. Note, again, the mortar. |
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This boat seems to have no torpedo tubes. Does have racks for them though.
(See further below.) |
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| Another diorama depicting a PT boat base. |
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PT-796, a Higgins built PT boat.
(This boat is a National Historic Landmark as well.) |
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| While this is in the PT boat area, it's not a PT boat. I want one! |
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A peek inside the galley. My Uncle Charlie's favorite (sic) luncheon meat is visible.
(Two cans! Oh, the humanity! Oddly enough, I enjoy it.) |
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| The torpedoes here are not enclosed in a tube, simply mounted in racks. |
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| 40 mm gun mount (aft) backed up by a 20 mm mount. |
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| "ELCO and Higgins PT boats, Know Your PT Boat US Navy July 1945" From a 1945 Navy Training Manual |
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| Hey buddy! You can't park there! |
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| Really? |
Uh, go right ahead General. Didn't know that was your ride! |
| Left rear tire looks flat. Still and all, I want it. I can replace the tire. I wonder if it runs? |
I'll be back with more. Make sure you check out Battleship Cove's website and head on over to Murphy's as well. He always has cool stuff and he has a crap ton of photos from our visit as well.
* ELCO is still in business, building motor yachts on the Hudson River in Athens, NY.
When The War broke out my father volunteered for the Royal Navy. At interview he was asked "What do you want to do?" "To skipper a Motor Torpedo Boat." "What are your qualifications?" "I've messed about in boats all my life and I'm used to being in charge of men."
ReplyDelete"We have hundreds of volunteers with those qualifications and many of them don't wear glasses. Go home to your wife."
I think the closing instruction carries some weight. It could well have meant "We want daring, even reckless, bachelors of twenty-four, not married men who are almost thirty."