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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
PT617?
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I'm new to the site so patience please. Back in the 1950s my father in law purchased a surplus PT in Morgan City, LA and brought it across the Gulf of Mexico to Miami. It was later converted to a custom motor yacht and my in laws lived aboard. Long story short the IRS seized the craft for back taxes and the boat disappeared. Some time in the late 60s photos of the boat appeared as part of a photo spread in Playboy magazine.
Does anyone have any idea if this could have been PT617? Just for history's sake I'd like to see if anyone knows what may have happened to my former father in laws labor of love.
Thanks for any leads or even ideas.
Posted By: Marty Little | Posted on: May 16, 2013 - 3:43pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Marty, Go to Google and search for PT 617, she has been restored.
Posted By: Bob Butler | Posted on: May 17, 2013 - 11:22am
Total Posts: 192 | Joined: Mar 23, 2013 - 11:58am
Morgan City is near New Orleans, which suggests this might have been a Higgins boat, if it was indeed a former PT. Do you have any photos of her in any configuration or the Playboy issue? We could tell more by seeing at least one photo.
Al Ross
Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: May 17, 2013 - 2:19pm
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm
Thanks guys. Have no photos and no idea of the correct issue of Playboy either, so I can't be much help. Will Google 617 and see if there is any info there that might help.
Posted By: Marty Little | Posted on: May 17, 2013 - 3:32pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
PT Boats Inc. Restored the 617 or as it is assumed, along with parts of 619, according to Knights of the Sea.
From the "Knights of the Sea", PT Boats Inc.:
The Museum participates in the Battleship Cove educational program for school groups and PT personnel stand regular ship watches. Billed as the world's largest U.S. naval ships exhibit, Battleship Cove is home for the last known operable Higgins PT in the world. The PT Gift Center renamed, "The Alyce Newberry Gift Center," maintains a small inventory for PT Boaters in the office compartment. The Battleship complex also has a large shop selling general stores and tourist items. Another segment of the PT operation is the 8O-foot Elco restoration. The " Dragon Lady" is being rebuilt at Bend Boat Basin Marina, the exact location of MTBSTC at Melville. Currently no hull number has been discovered for her, and she will ultimately receive the superstructure of the 619.
From the PTboats.org website, PT Boats, Inc.:
PT 617 was assigned to Patrol Torpedo Squadron 42, the only squadron commissioned after World War II. PT 617 participated in the Victory Loan Bond Drive in October and November 1945. After being sold on the civilian market, the boat was used as a yacht, in salvage and as a diving platform. PT Boats, Inc., a worldwide organization of PT veterans and others, bought the boat in 1979. Considerable work and funds went into restoring PT 617 to WWII configuration. On September 1, 1985, PT 617 officially went on display at Battleship Cove.
Links:
PT Boats Inc. = [url]http://www.ptboats.org[/url]
William mallory Photos of the restore PT 617 = [url]http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/PTBoat/index.htm[/url]
Posted By: Dick | Posted on: May 17, 2013 - 3:34pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm
Thanks Dick. From what you posted sure sounds like 617 could have been the craft my father in law purchased in the 1950s but guess we'll never know for sure. Really appreciate the assistance of you guys and thus far have enjoyed this board a great deal.
Posted By: Marty Little | Posted on: May 18, 2013 - 8:12am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered