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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: Dates for PT 109 History
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Do any of you researchers out there know the date the famious photo was taken of Jack Kennedy at the helm of PT 109. and the date of the Torpedo/Depthcharge incident. In the photo of Kennedy the port depthcharge is visible so if the photo was taken after the torpedo incident with Al Cluster this would prove the repairs included the depthcharge rack and was most likley on the boat when lost.[:-question-:]

Posted By: Bob Butler | Posted on: Mar 23, 2013 - 7:07pm
Total Posts: 192 | Joined: Mar 23, 2013 - 11:58am

Bob,

I believe this was discussed in several older threads here on the Board, but don't know how far back they'd be...

As I remember, the JFK-in-the-109-cockpit photos are believed to have been taken at the end of May or the beginning of June '43 in the Russell Islands. The torpedo-into-the-depth-charge incident occurred at the end of June '43, while the 109 was still in the Russells. The 109 moved up to Rendova in mid-July of '43.

No one, as far as I know, has come up with anything other than pure speculation about the 109's port depth charge (and the supposed "missing...feet...of toe rail" -- that one comes out of...nowhere) not being repaired or replaced after that incident.

I personally think everything was repaired and replaced -- including the port depth charge -- when the boat went back to Tulagi for repairs, so, yeah, the 109 would've had both depth charges on her foredeck when she was lost.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Mar 24, 2013 - 12:11pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

Thank you Drew, I was hopping I was on to something.

Posted By: Bob Butler | Posted on: Mar 24, 2013 - 12:19pm
Total Posts: 192 | Joined: Mar 23, 2013 - 11:58am

What Drew said. . .

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Mar 24, 2013 - 4:26pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm