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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
St. Elmo's Fire
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One night when leaving Lambu Cove we observed what is called St. Elmo's Fire There was a glow at the top of the radio antenna and on all objects on the boat sticking up. We could see the glow on the other two boats in the section as well. Our boat and crew made over 85 nightly patrols while I was aboard and this was the only time we saw this phenomenon. Did any other P.T. crew members observe St. Elmo's Fire?
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Nov 11, 2008 - 12:37pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm
C.J.,
I remember reading about a Ron 15 boat that had a similar experience in the Med, but it took me awhile to locate where I had seen it.
In late September, 1943, part of the squadron was operating from Capri, off Salerno. Fred Rosen states, in his biography of MTB Ron 15, that the 210 had an experience with St Elmo's fire. " Quite a sight to see the flames jumping from the 20's to the 50's to the torpedo tubes".
I'll bet that it made everyone onboard jumpy to have that going on when on patrol !
Steve Nugent
Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Nov 13, 2008 - 8:17am
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am
I was QM on PT167, Ron 10 for two years. We encountered St Elmo's fire several times. It was static electricity and every metal thing sticking up had blue glows. Our base told us not to worry, that it was commonplace and the boats were well bonded to neutralize it. We believed that until I became an electrical engineer and learned the truth. It could have ignited gas fumes or started fires. I never heard of any damage due to St Elmo, though.
Posted By: BobPic | Posted on: Nov 13, 2008 - 9:21am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
I hadn't thought of St.. Elmo's Fire for many years until last week. Thanks guys for your experiences. I guess I wasn't dreaming after all. It was a weird sight which I will never forget. and did if I recall make everyone pretty jumpy. I think it only lasted for 2 or 3 minutes.
C. J. Willis
Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Nov 13, 2008 - 1:33pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm