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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Navy Log TV Series - PT-109
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Before the movie PT-109 came out the TV show, Navy Log, did a feature on PT-109. This was way back in the late 50's. There is a gentleman who is converting some of these really old TV shows to DVD so that they are preserved. He also has the Silent Service series. Silent Service is my oldest memory of TV from my childhood. I purchased a couple of them just to watch and remember. But the 109 story is a hoot. If you have any interest the web site where you can get these is http://www.usssealion.com.

Dave


David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Mar 30, 2009 - 7:34pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



Dave,

I think the (very crude) sketch of the ramming of the 109 done by JFK on his official Senate stationary was done for the Navy Log series show, which I believe aired in the late '50's.

BTW, although the sketch is crude and not "to scale," I was surprised, when I first saw the sketch a few years ago, by the extremely sharp angle JFK drew of the Amagiri's approach and point of impact on the 109.

It definitely doesn't depict the side-to-side, starboard-to-port slice across and though the beam of the boat just behind the cockpit that was the generally accepted version of the ramming for years.





Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Mar 31, 2009 - 6:31pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Hi Drew,
The show was seriously done but was really dated and almost comical to watch. The foredeck of the 109 looked like a oversized clam shell. It bore no resemblance to a ships hull. It looked more like something you would have seen in a high school play. It was filmed in full daylight and looked like daylight even though they were playing it like it was dark. There was also a bomber flying around which I don't ever remember hearing about. It was sort of like the crew was distracted by the bomber when all the sudden the Japanese destroyer hits her. Kennedy was depicted looking down into the water and said "so who's down there?"

What I enjoyed about it was that it was old time TV at its best. Very low budget and technology. It made me smile and I was glad I paid the $15 for it. There were 3 other episodes on the disk as well. The other episodes were actually better done.

Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Mar 31, 2009 - 7:03pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



Drew,

The sharp angle of impact is consistant with other facts regarding the Amagiri collision with PT 109. The Motormac that was on duty, Patrick McMahan, would have been seated attop the starboard engine facing the forward bulkhead. He reported seeing water coming through the bulkhead prior to the lights going out. This would have been indicative of the bulkhead being destroyed. If the 109 had been hit perpendicular or at a small angle to the boat centerline, the engine room would have maintained water tight integrity.

In addition after the collision the hulk took on an extreme angle, making sitting on the bow very difficult. This angle is reflective of a large portion of the stern still being attached. The weight of at least one Packard engine (if not two) and one after torpedo would have sunk the stern and raised the bow at a large angle.

Bill

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Mar 31, 2009 - 8:32pm
Total Posts: 130 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm



Hi guys,
I guess I'm confused. How does this relate to the TV show I was talking about?
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Apr 1, 2009 - 5:47am
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



David,

Drew mentioned seeing a scetch done by than Senator Kennedy to provide information for the TV show. He expressed surprise at the angle of the collision indicated by Kennedy. I appreciate you pointing out this program and the DVD, I intend to order one of these. Thanks...

Bill

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Apr 1, 2009 - 7:57am
Total Posts: 130 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm



Bill,

Thanks for your post, and I've come to agree with your input and take on the angle of the collision after reading a number of different descriptions of, and writings on, the subject over the past few years.

At first, I was as resistant to this differing version from the conventionally-accepted one (the "PT 109" movie version) as T. Garth Connelly is to the idea that the 109 didn't have it's "A"-frame mast up, but I've come around.

It seems fairly certain that the boat was struck at a very sharp, near-head-on-angle and basically "run over" by the Amagiri -- not chopped completely in two, as generally thought for many years.



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Apr 2, 2009 - 3:30pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Drew, I would like to see the sketch drawn by Kennedy. Where can I find it. Thanks

Jay



Posted By: Bucket | Posted on: Aug 5, 2013 - 5:47pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered




Dave,

I think the (very crude) sketch of the ramming of the 109 done by JFK on his official Senate stationary was done for the Navy Log series show, which I believe aired in the late '50's.

BTW, although the sketch is crude and not "to scale," I was surprised, when I first saw the sketch a few years ago, by the extremely sharp angle JFK drew of the Amagiri's approach and point of impact on the 109.

It definitely doesn't depict the side-to-side, starboard-to-port slice across and though the beam of the boat just behind the cockpit that was the generally accepted version of the ramming for years.


Drew, can you post this sketch? I have not seen it.



Posted By: Bucket | Posted on: Aug 6, 2013 - 11:29am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered







Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Aug 6, 2013 - 5:33pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Bucket, send me your email address and I'll send you that sketch.

Mine is: rac701@msn.com.



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Aug 19, 2014 - 8:50am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am