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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: NEWPORT WEEKEND
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I had the pleausre of seeing my oldest son get married this past weekend. We had the reception at the Hyatt Hotel located on Goat Island in Newport, Rhode Island. For those of you who passed thru Melville during your MTBSTC duty, you would most likely remember Goat Island as the Torpedo Station. Today, it is a vry nice area for those rich enough to own their own Yachts, and of course the Hotel and other areas. I did find out that the original Bunkers were still on the Island, and took a walk over to where they were located. Fenced off, I could only see them from a distance.

Narragansett Bay was very busy, as 2 Crusise Ships anchored there to avoid Hurricane Ike. It was the talk of the town, with over 5,000 people coming off these Ships, to mingle with the already hundreds of people in Town. I took a walk over to view some of the boat Show that was in town and saw some incredible boats. Yachts, Cruisers, Run abouts, wooden boats, they had it all. Sorry, no PT BOATS were represented at the Show, but they did have some ELCO YACHTS from yesteryear. Pretty neat stuff.

I could not help but close my eyes and see and hear those powerful packards engines. What a thrill it would be to see an 80 footer racing around the Bay today. I did meet one fellow who had lived in the area for the past 70 years or so, who remembered seeing the PT BOATS out in the Bay many times. His family owned a Fishing Boat during the 40's, and saw many PT BOATS making their way under the Mount Hope Bridge. He told me of times when the boats, racing for the Base, would fly past him, roaring along, and causing the water to boil with those big engines they had. It was nice talking to him. The wedding was wonderful, made even better because it was in the area where the boats once ruled the Bay...................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 11:56am
Total Posts: 3548 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Congrats Frank! My dad and I were at the Hyatt briefly during our tour of PT Boat New England last June...beautiful location to celebrate such an occasion. May their union be a long, blessed and fuitful one!

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 12:24pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Frank: Congratulations to you and all your family on the recent marriage of your son. I know it was a joyous occasion.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 12:33pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Frank-

I too was on Narragansett Bay for a wedding this past Saturday. My cousin got married in a beautiful seaside ceremony and my thoughts kept turning to the PT Boats from nearby Melville< RI thundering past in days of old.

ALEX

Posted By: Alex Johnson | Posted on: Sep 15, 2008 - 2:39pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

I Frank, Haven't heard anyone mention the old torpedo station there! My mom was working there when she met my dad. She's from Fall River, he's from New Bedford. They just had their 60th wedding anniversary this past July!

Ray

Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 4:13am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Ray

I would love to know if they have any photographs of Goat Island during the War years. When you walk around the Island, it is so built up, its hard to imagine where everything was in 1942-45. The only thing left that I am aware of is the Bunkers. Of course, I have photo's of Melville, and the Depot. I have some of the Newport Training Base, but really nothing on Goat Island, or Quonsett Point..............

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 9:45am
Total Posts: 3548 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

I will ask them next time I talk with them. I kind of doubt it but then again, they have a ton of photos from back then.

Ray

Posted By: Ray Wilbur | Posted on: Sep 16, 2008 - 2:39pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered