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Topic: Deck hatch hold open device and jackstaff |
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Richard Payne
New Member
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Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 5:51am
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Hi, I have looked through old posts but can't seem to find the answer,
did the PT-109 have the deck hatch devices to hold them open at the
end of its life? I assume that the jackstaff bracket was there but no
jackstaff on it when the 37mm was lashed to the deck. Any help
would be appreciated.
Richard |
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Jeff D
Moderator
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 Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 9:21am
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Hi Richard, and welcome!
The hold open device for the galley hatch is missing in this shot. I'm not aware of any photos that show the more forward forecastle / crew hatch or jackstaff. The after deck didn't use a device.
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Drew Cook
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 2:04pm
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Since that photo has always looked like it has been heavily retouched -- I believe JFK explained in a letter to Kirksey's family that the negative had been "damaged by the heat" -- I'm not sure the galley hatch hold-open device would show up.
I don't know why it wouldn't have been there in actuality, unless it was one of the items not included on the early 103-class boats. I don't see a hold-open device in front of the galley or crew's head hatches in photos of PT 107, so maybe the 109 didn't have them either?
As for the jackstaff, I don't remember seeing it in photos of PTs in the forward areas of the Pacific. As far as I know, the Navy Jack flag (blue with 48 white stars) flown on the jackstaff, which fit into a socket on the foredeck, would be present while in Stateside or secure ports, but seldom seen in the combat areas.
Someone who knows more than I do about this will correct me if I'm wrong.
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Jeff D
Moderator
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Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 4:18pm
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I'm not sure when they started adding the device Drew. Although the drawing lists 103 on, I see from photos of early factory fresh boats that they are missing. Here's what I found in the photos I have:
no device
107
108
has device
117 maybe
129
Here's the unretouched 109 shot: http://i.imgur.com/77XLSo4.jpg
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