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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: New Pictures of PT658 at Portland Rose Festival 5-10 June
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=2662

Hello Shipmates!
I wanted to post these recent photos of the PT658 taken 2 weeks ago. We had a great time and showed the boat to a lot of people. I wanted to also show you how the boat looks with her new Radar Mast Courtesy of Don Shannon and Alyce Mary Guthrie of PT Boats Inc. We got underway with several WW2 PT Boat veterans aboard, as well as several Navy and USCG Admirals. I will try to label the pictures just above each photo so you can keep track of what each picture is showing. Sorry it took so long for me to post these! I added a video from Youtube showing the boat returning home on Sunday. Thanks Jerry PT658 Portland

44 second Video showing PT658 underway

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YNeRNwUDqA[/url]

Some of the first guests and a presentation of the bouquet to the boat

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1566.jpg[/image]

Master Chief Duncan presents WW2 Binoculars to Skipper Chuck Kellogg on behalf of the Boat

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1569.jpg[/image]

Jim Mitchell Pushing off from the dock

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1574.jpg[/image]

Leaving the lagoon

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1576.jpg[/image]

Jack looking for another target for the 40mm Bofors

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1592.jpg[/image]

Jacks daughter Jill loading another clip into the 40

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1593.jpg[/image]

Jacks wife, the Marvelous Marlene Duncan leads the target tugboat with her gunsight

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1589.jpg[/image]

Two WW2 PT Boat vets and a Seabee on the 40mm

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1597.jpg[/image]

HMCS Oriole, Canadian Navy Sail Training Rig, unfurls her colors

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1610.jpg[/image]

PT658 new Radar mast and 48 star flag silouetted against the Oriole spinnaker sail

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1607.jpg[/image]

99 yrs old Portland Fireboat "David Campbell" welcoming the fleet into Portland

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1612.jpg[/image]

PT658 heads upriver, with good view of weapons up the port side

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1615.jpg[/image]

I really like the way the new Radar Mast adds to the authentic look of the PT658

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1617.jpg[/image]

Houston Texas' QM1/C Clyde Combs of PT515 (present at D-Day) wearing his French Legion of Honor Medal at my request

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1631.jpg[/image]

PT515 Clyde Combs crew and boat

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1622.jpg[/image]

Clydes Medal Certificate

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1621.jpg[/image]

QM1/C Clyde Combs on the Cover story of a French Magazine with some other guys (French President Sarkozy, Prince Charles, Gordon Brown PM UK, Prime Minister of Canada, and President Obama)

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1620.jpg[/image]

Master Chief Duncan explains WW2 Torpedo technology to two active duty sailors from USS Willliam Lawrence

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/IMG_1635.jpg[/image]

USCGC Alert entering Portland escorted by PT658

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201204.jpg[/image]

USS William P Lawrence DDG-110 enters Portland escorted by PT658

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201218.jpg[/image]

PT658 with 2 RADM and 1 VADM aboard rendering honor to the USS WP Lawrence DDG-110

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201217.jpg[/image]

The Admiral, Chief Wes Mahan and Jerry on the 40mm

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201205.jpg[/image]

PT Vets on the PT658 on Thursday June 7th (Murl Wescott, Jack Duncan and Maury Hooper)

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201212.jpg[/image]

Maury Hooper Welcoming the USCG District Commander VADM and RADM

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201213.jpg[/image]

Maury Hooper presenting RADM with Challenge Coin

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201214.jpg[/image]

All the Admirals and WW2 PT Boat vets on the PT658

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201215.jpg[/image]

RADM 2 star flag flies from PT658 Radar Mast

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201216.jpg[/image]

Bob And Jean Machnik of PT150 on PT658

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201229.jpg[/image]

New gun rack and small arms in the wardroom

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201225.jpg[/image]

Stern view tied to barge, notice new 40mm gunsights and ammo rack handrail

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201223.jpg[/image]

Bow view of PT658 moored to barge. Note new Radar Dome and Rocket Launchers

[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT658/rose201222.jpg[/image]

The End

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 - 4:31pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Fantastic stuff Jerry! Thanks for sharing with us.

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 - 9:04pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Thanks, Jerry!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 - 10:54pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

I guess the best word to sum up all those beautiful photos is " gosh " she beautiful ! ! ! !

Dick . . .

Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 1, 2012 - 11:28pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm

Fantastic pictures! You guys look like you had a ball...and so did the visitors.

Hey Jerry - I know the 30rd magazines in the M1 carbine can be accurate for late war PT's but it hurts my eyes

. Can I send you some 15rd mags? Do you need two for the pouch on the stock?

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 1:07am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Seeing these photos is helping me to get the courage to fly into Portland to board this wonderful boat. I can't think of a better way to spend the day then being on this wonderful boat. She is the most beautiful craft on the water...........

Hey there Frank.

I'm sure that if you do make it to Prtland that Jerry will let you go aboard the boat without you having to board her.

Sorry Frank. I couldn't resist. Boarding in naval parlance is reserved for unfriendly action in getting aboard a vessel. Tourist's go aboard vessels whilst pirates board vessels.

You shoulg go to Prtland to visit the boat. There is nothing quite like seeing a vessel up close and if possible trodding the decks to really appreciate the size or lack of size of the vessel. When I was still a teen and living in Toronto, Canada, I was able to go aboard the WW2/Korean War destroyer H.M.C.S. Haida. I gained an appreciation of that ship and her crews that could never compare to just viewing models or images of her.

The fact thar PT-658 is operational and that you might have the chance to be aboard her whilst she is ubderway is an opportunity you don't want to miss.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 7:25am
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

Leave it to you to correct my language, I feel like I am back in Mrs. Stratton's class in High School, lol. You are right, getting a chance to run this boat and spend the day being on her deck's would be a dream come true. I AM THINKING ABOUT GOING.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 9:26am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Leave it to you to correct my language, I feel like I am back in Mrs. Stratton's class in High School, lol. You are right, getting a chance to run this boat and spend the day being on her deck's would be a dream come true. I AM THINKING ABOUT GOING.

Hi Frank.

Do it so that you'll have no regrets if for some reason you're unable to do it later. Too many of us put off doing things, or visiting people, until it's too late to do so and then we regret it for the rest of our lives.

Cheers from Peter

"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"

Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 10:33am
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm

Frank,
Just say the word my freind, just say the word...and it will be so. I will of course insist that you take a turn at the wheel when you come aboard.

Newsnerd: I was not aware of the faux pas concerning the 30 rd magazines! SUre if you could see fit to donate the 2 15 round mags we would display them on the rifle. Thanks for the kind offer!
Thanks all you guys for the nice compliments. PT Boats forever!

PS Did anybody notice the extra equipment hanging off the stern right next to the smoke generator cannister? (Field Expedient Head) It is painted black so it doesn't stand out except to the trained eye of a true PT Boat expert!

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 1:12pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Hi Jerry,
Yes. I'm pretty sure I had seen that before. Great touch. I know I've seen at least one period photo of some sailor sitting on one of those things.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 6:14pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Great Pictures Jerry. Wish I could have been along. Randy and I sure enjoyed our ride on PT 658 last summer. Brought back lots of memories.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 7:08pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

Wow, incredible photos Jerry. Thanks for posting, they were well worth waiting for. That's a lot of history on board the '658', both past and present. Wish I could've been there. Jack Duncan told me about the trip before he left and then sent 'his story' via email afterwards (guess a lot of you are on his mail list?) He loves writing just about as much as PT's I think. I've been to Oregon, but never to Portland... this is a great excuse to go see such a 'living tribute' to our PT veterans.

Randy Finfrock

Posted By: Randy Finfrock | Posted on: Jul 2, 2012 - 8:02pm
Total Posts: 97 | Joined: Nov 27, 2006 - 6:21pm

Jerry,
The boat looks fantastic!!! The radar dome and mast really looks good. I really love the camo paint. Keep up the good work.

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Jul 3, 2012 - 5:01am
Total Posts: 181 | Joined: Jun 8, 2010 - 6:21pm

I totally missed the head Jerry - great touch!

The 30rd magazine aren't a faux pax - they were rolled out right at the very end of things in the Pacific and could have been seen on a late war boat like the 658. That being said, the mags saw the most use in Europe in 1945. They are very accurate in an M2 Carbine (the full-auto version) and were prolific in Korea.

I'm just being a nerd (pun) because I love the look of a 15rd magazine in a WWII M1 Carbine. What patina would you like? Been-there-and-back or fresh-from-the-factory (or somewhere in between?)

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net

Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 3, 2012 - 6:33am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Jerry;
The mast looks great! The boat looks fantastic! 3 Admirals! You guys might set a new record for Top Brass onboard a PT Boat, well you do have the record.....for this Century!!!!
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 3, 2012 - 6:37am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Jerry: Our topside head was made from a 50 cal wooden ammo box mounted on 2-2x4's that slipped under the smoke generator and cantilevered out over the starboard side. Our smoke generator on the 242 was mounted lengthwise pointing toward the stern on the starboard side. Our head was removable when we were underway. That is something that you have added to the 658 since we were up there. They were very essential item for PT's in the tropics. Below deck was much too hot and they didn't work very well anyway. When Bob Hope, Francis Langford, Patty Thomas and his crew came to Green Island we were informed by our squadron commander Capt. Van Ness for us not to use them until after they had left the base.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Jul 3, 2012 - 11:37am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

I would imagine that toilet paper was hard to get. Probably .50 cal ammo was easier to get than toilet paper. CJ where did you keep your sea bag? Did your belongings get moldy. Not much ventilation on the boat. How did you wash your clothes?

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Jul 3, 2012 - 7:14pm
Total Posts: 181 | Joined: Jun 8, 2010 - 6:21pm

Happy 4th everybody: Bob: I will try to answer your questions as my best recollections. As for toilet paper I don't recall any problem. I kept my seabag and ditty bag with personal belongings, shaving gear etc.in my bunk in the crews quarters. I had the top forward starboard bunk. We did not sleep in our bunks. ( Too hot) We slept topside on cots under a tarp on the bow of the boat except during wind and rain storms we had to go below sometimes. Yes, our clothes all got mouldy after 13 months on 242. After being relieved of duty from 242 Bob Pratt, Quartermaster, and I were hitchhiking back to U.S. The ship stopped at Pearl Harbor. We wanted to go ashore but had no white uniforms ours were mouldy so the ships officers gave us white uniforms so we could see Honolulu. We were issued new blue uniforms and other items when we checked in to the base at San Francisco. At Vella La Vella down the shore a ways from our base at Lambu Cove was a fresh water stream. We would take the boat down there where we would wash clothes, swim and take baths. Sure felt good in that fresh water. At Green Island there were no fresh water streams. We got all our water from desalination units on the base. We were rationed by honor system a 10 quart bucket of fresh water per day for bathing and clothes washing. (Drinking water was separate) This water was kept in 2 open top 55 gallon drums with canvas covers on the boat. We usually soaped and scrubbed our clothes with fresh water on the boat deck then rinsed them off in salt water. We had salt water soap but that stuff was no good. Matted up like grease. We bathed out of a bucket up on deck and rinsed off by pouring water out of the bucket over you. We were based at Green for almost 8 months so You sure learn how best to use what little water we got. Bob I have rambled on much too long.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Jul 4, 2012 - 1:35pm
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm

Jim, Newsnerd,
I think the 15 round mags with a patina would look best. Let me know if you need my mailing address and I will send it via email. Thanks again for doing this! Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 4, 2012 - 3:15pm
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

C.J.

No such thing as rambling on. I love to listen to your stories, I only wish you you would write them down or at the very least tape record your memories of the time you spent on PT BOATS and the BASES. I know I speak for everyone here that we really enjoy listening to what you have to say.......................

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 4, 2012 - 5:18pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

CJ,
I agree with Frank 100%. Your stories are great. I love the details. Keep them coming!!!

Bob

Posted By: Bob | Posted on: Jul 5, 2012 - 5:54am
Total Posts: 181 | Joined: Jun 8, 2010 - 6:21pm

UPDATE UPDATE

Check my original post on page 1 and click on the link to see a 44 second video of PT658 underway taken from the shore as she passes the moored Navy Ships in downtown Portland. Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Jul 7, 2012 - 11:59am
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Jerry;
Great photos! I know we posted this topic before, but, that original photo of Clyde Combs PT515, is the first time I have seen in original photos the PT boat pin worn as a Warfare Designation pin, I have only seen photos of Officers and Chiefs wearing it as a Tie Clip! Awesome picture.
Also It is good to see Jack Duncan wearing his brand new SEAL 50th Anniversary jacket!! I wish he could travel to Little Creek for the UDT/SEAL reunion 20-22 July.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Jul 8, 2012 - 9:10am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am