The PT Boat Forum
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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: the Dory?
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=3208

All;
I have always wondered this, but never asked anyone. I might be alone here, but so be it.
When and where did they decide to add a Dory to the PT Boat LOA? While I am making these RON 40 models, I must admit, while it might be a necessity, it was required at the time that all crew members be at least a second class swimmer, this was the reason the swimming pool was added to Melville, but as a Dirty Boat Guy, I must admit, it really looks ridiculous and out of place hanging over the edge of the dayroom canopy. Seriously,it really looks out of place..... who dreamed this up? In my opinion, it really looks dumb.
I assume(gosh, my years of Navy training and I still hate using that term!), the Dory had a sail, oars, etc. but did they really think a Thor Heyerdahl /Kon-Tiki type survival situation might occur as they moved towards Japan?
I realize the 1945 crews were upwards of 15-20 crewmembers, But, Why did they not just add another float raft or two? I mean if weight was the...as always major factor.
take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 5:06pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

To clarify some more, the Elco 80 had limited deck space due to its design, yet the Dory was added. To me it really does not make sense, not only does it look out of place, in a tactical stand point, it is really a "shrapnel" hazard, if it gets hit by anything, splinters are flying!
In all the late series Higgins PT's that went to the Pacific and were supposedly destined for that theater for the invasion of Japan, they don't have a Dory, in fact I have only seen a hand full of Higgins PT's with a Dory...actually 3! So why and this to the ELCO PT LOA?????

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 5:25pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Drawings for PT 565-624 show the dinghy deck mounted just in front of the chart house on the stbd side of the deck, with a drawing for 565-576 quite a bit farther forward with a note saying Fyfe's later altered the location farther back to the same as the later boats. Both drawings show that a life raft was mounted under the dinghy. Sorry Ted but I couldn't find any info about them being moved to the cabin roof nor drawings showing them there. Might an armament change on the forward deck have caused the move? Have you ever seen a photo of a dinghy mounted on the stbd forward deck as per the drawings?

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jun 5, 2013 - 5:40pm
Total Posts: 2203 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Jeff;
Yes the color photo of PT 333 shows it mounted there. probably the need for the ammo boxes, and rocket launchers caused the move, but on the later boats its on the dayroom canopy.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jun 6, 2013 - 6:38am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am