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Topic: What was siren used for? |
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Bob
MASTER
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Posted on: Jun 25, 2011 - 1:48pm
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I have seen this siren in photos of Ron 22 boats. It is located on top of the chart house facing forward. When was it used? I would assume that the control was near the helm, but where exacly?
Bob |
Total Posts: 181 | Joined:
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jun 26, 2011 - 1:57pm
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Hi Bob,
How is the PT305 restoration coming along? Hoping you can post some new photos soon to keep all of us informed. Thanks for all of your hard work on the project by the way. I think that siren was installed at Higgins but the crews hardly ever used them. I am pretty sure they were controlled by one of those 3 push buttons just to the right of the helm. Here is a picture of PT461 showing what I mean. I will also have a look on the electrical blueprints to see if there is anything that addresses this horn. It would be labeled as the "Navigation Horn" I am betting. Good luck in your search. Jerry PT658 Portland
PT461 Bridge showing 3 push buttons just to right of wheel
Al Ross' photo of PT265 to 313 helm shows 3 buttons
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Mark Culp
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jun 26, 2011 - 5:23pm
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Jerry,
Regarding the second picture, what are the three tall levers to the right of the throttle control for? Also, do you have close up pictures of the turret railings for an early Higgins? I am building the 215 boat and would like to get it correct. Thanks much, Mark
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jun 26, 2011 - 5:33pm
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Hi Mark and Bob,
I found this drawing on the Louisiana Digital Library. It is called "Layout of Electrical Equipment PT71-94 and PT197-254". It shows the 3 buttons and what they were used for as well as the Siren.
The second button is the one used for the Siren. It is a "momentary-on" type spring loaded button that must be held in to energize the siren.
Hey Mark, those 4 levers are called "Exactor Controls" I know they have something to do with controlling the Air Pressurized Torpedo Launcher Tubes. I looked at the drawings on LDL under searched for "torpedo" The drawing shows 1/4 inch copper tubing and a drip pan below the control lever box. If I were to hazard a guess, their function was to hydraulically open the quick opening air valve between the exactor air receiver and the tube to expel the torpedo from the tube. But I have no idea really. I would wager that Al Ross would be able to answer your question!
Mark: here is a photo of PT295 that Bob posted a few weeks ago. It shows the depression railings around the early Higgins PT Boats gun tubs. I hope this shows enough detail for you. Jerry
PS MARK CULP: You are only allowed to ask one hard question per week, any more and you must wait until 03July2011. Thank you.
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Bob
MASTER
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Posted on: Jun 27, 2011 - 4:09am
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Jerry, You are correct. Center was momentary switch to siren. It must have been a warning for navigating around other boats. Here is a quote from the XO of the 309. "BOB; The siren was controlled from a button ont the bridge, and was used to warn someone, or some thing to get the hell out of the way! Bill Pleasants XO of PT309"
Thanks
Bob |
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Bob
MASTER
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Posted on: Jun 27, 2011 - 4:30am
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OK based on the 295 photo, which is the same series as the 305, the first three buttons are engine room, siren, and crews quarters. the very bottom box was the mast light receptacle. Notice the charthouse mast is permanately removed. There appears to be some kind of plate below the buttons and then something that looks like a cover. According to the wireing layout this may be the engine emergency ignition. There is also a bridge signal from engineroom buzzer somewhere, just cant see it. Any ideas?
Bob |
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Mark Culp
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jun 27, 2011 - 3:20pm
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Thanks Jerry....HIGHLY appreciated....as always a big help and great information. Mark
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jun 29, 2011 - 11:30am
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BOB,
Those 3 switches under the cover below the 3 buttons are indeed "Kill" switches for the 3 engines. We have identical switches on the PT658. They are basically "pull out" switches that ground the engines' magneto so the engine will not have any spark. There is another set of Kill switches inside the engine room near the engine removal hatch coaming. These are for emergency killing gof the engines during a fire.
As far as the location of the Buzzer from the Engine Room, I cannot spot it in the photograph either. It may be hidden back to the left behind the compass binnacle. On PT658 the buzzer is inside of the Navigation Light Control Panel just below the fuze access plate. Jerry
Jerry Gilmartin |
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Bob
MASTER
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Posted on: Jun 29, 2011 - 2:06pm
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Thanks Jerry. Do you know what the plate above the kill switch says?
Bob |
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Jerry Gilmartin |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jun 29, 2011 - 5:20pm
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Hi Bob,
I have this blowup from the same label plate on the PT625 class. I bet they might say something similar. I hope this is helpful. Jerry
Close up of Kill Switches on PT625 Class
Jerry Gilmartin |
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