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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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 Posted on: Jul 9, 2012 - 9:04pm
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Wayne, it almost looks like they have painted 2 eyes, on the radar dome.................
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Will Day
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 12, 2012 - 12:04pm
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Via Randy Finfrock - 
Will |
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Nuge210
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 12, 2012 - 6:24pm
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Will,
What boat is in that photo ? That is a great shot.
Steve |
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Randy Finfrock
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jul 12, 2012 - 8:37pm
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Hi Steve, I was having trouble getting this into photo-bucket and I called on Will who was kind enough to post it for me. (Thanks Will!)Here are all of the details:
THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN BY RM2c BILL R. TATROE in OCT 1943.
In the foreground is the PT-268, one of the squadron of PT 265-276.
The story:
While assigned to the MTB Pre-Commissioning Detail at NOLA,
Bill was on the lead boat with Skipper Lt. James Van Sicklen (he
thinks it was from the PT-265 that he took this photo).
They were assigned to run this squadron up the Intra-coastal
Canal from New Orleans to New York, where the boats were
handed over to the Russians in the lend-lease program. The trip
was made from 10 to 24 October 1943.
This is what Bill told me about the sailor on the bullnose:
“Those guys rode on the bow for a purpose! They were lookouts
for logs and debris and trash that would typically be floating in
Lake Pontchartrain and the cluttered bayous and canals.” [July 2004]
Most of these sailors returned to NOLA then ended up in Ron-16B, and left in November for Miami Shakedown, then in December for Panama, running on their own bottoms to reach Taboga.
Randy Finfrock |
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Nathaniel Smith
MASTER
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Posted on: Jul 19, 2012 - 8:40am
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I found this picture of riding the nose
natsmith |
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newsnerd99
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 20, 2012 - 11:16am
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EARL - HENRY BEAZLEY RODE THE NOSE OF THE 209 DURING THE INVASION OF SOUTHERN FRANCE - HE HAS A GREAT STORY ABOUT BEING A LOOKOUT FOR SEMI-SUBMERGED OBJECTS.
WHILE HE WAS ENJOYING THE RIDE HE NOTICED LARGE SPLASHES OFF THE BOW. BEING A ROOKIE REPLACEMENT ON THE BOAT, HE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE. WHEN HE TURNED AROUND TO MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THE SKIPPER AND SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, HE FOUND THE ENTIRE BOAT CREW RUNNING TO GENERAL QUARTERS AND THROWING ON COMBAT GEAR. TURNS OUT THEY WERE BEING ENGAGED AT GREAT DISTANCE BY SHORE BATTERIES ON THE ISLE OF MANDRIER. HE OBVIOUSLY JUMPED UP AND JOINED THE REST OF THE CREW AS THE BOAT STARTED EVASIVE TURNS.
I ALWAYS HAVE WIDE WONDER AT THE LACK OF STORIES OF PT SAILORS FLYING OFF THE BOATS IN COMBAT! ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WERE JUST HOLDING ON WITH ONE HAND ON THE BULLNOSE!
GREAT TOPIC...THANKS FOR BRINGING IT UP.
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
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Nuge210
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 21, 2012 - 9:30am
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EARL AND CJ,
DID EVERYONE GET A CHANCE TO RIDE THE BULLNOSE ?
I'M THINKING PARTICULAR GUYS MIGHT RIDE AS LOOKOUTS, BUT ALMOST ANYONE COULD WHILE SAILING BACK TO BASE.
Steve |
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CJ Willis
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 21, 2012 - 11:08am
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Steve: On our boat about anyone except the motor mac, radioman and quartermaster on duty might be up on the bow on the way out to the patrol area. The sea had to be pretty calm though. We would have sometimes 4-5 guys on the bow. One on the bull nose the others with feet hanging over the bow hanging on to the grab rail enjoying the wind in our faces. We never rode the bow much coming back from patrol. Too tired after being up all night. We just tried to find a dry place on deck to lay down on our life jacket to sleep. Coming back from patrol when land was sighted at the base however everyone was awake for the race with the other boats in the section. The boats would all line up even then open up and race to the entrance of the cove. Our boat was one of the faster Higgins. McIntosh, the motor mac, would remove the air mesh covers from the super chargers allowing more air to the carburetors which would give us a couple more inches of manofold pressure thus 3-4 more mph. That was a secret which our crew kept.
C. J. Willis |
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newsnerd99
New Member
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Posted on: Jul 23, 2012 - 12:50am
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Great story CJ! Love the race to the cove...
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
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Frank J Andruss Sr
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jul 23, 2012 - 5:42am
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C.J. I can just see the boats lined up for the ride into the cove. Racing the boats after a Patrol must have been a great way to get rid of stress, with all bows riding high, and those mighty Packard Engines roaring along....
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