The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi

ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102

ť Topic: Brief Higgins History, Upside Down Construction
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=1164

An interesting article, and answers your question about if Higgins were upside down during construction David. It looks like they were for the planking.

A link on the bottom left goes to a page that mentions Higgins made parts for the A-Bomb and quotes General Dwight D. Eisenhower as saying "If there is one man who could be said to have won the war it would be Andrew Jackson Higgins."

[url]http://www.crt.state.la.us/tourism/lawwii/higgins/higgins_boats.htm[/url]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 13, 2009 - 11:27am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Hi Jeff,
That photo is not of the PT Boat production line, those are LCVP boats (bow- ramp landing craft). I have looked at those national Archives photos and the PT Boats were not ever upside down at the Higgins Plant.

Bottom planking to stern (note that boat is not upside down)

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/scan0004.jpg[/image]

Attaching keel to frames and first course of planking (hull not upside down)

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/scan0006.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jan 13, 2009 - 11:36am
Total Posts: 1472 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Doh, thanks for the heads-up Jerry. I'll try to let them know about the mistake.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 13, 2009 - 11:53am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

The only boats that were made so that workers could work above the Hulls rather ten from a cramped position below were the Elco Boats in Bayonne, New Jersey. Higgins did not do it, and I have some pictures at the Huckins Plant, showing workers standing on Ladders and make shift planking. Boy, you must have had tried shoulders and arms working on those boats.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jan 13, 2009 - 12:27pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am