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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: PT Boat Races
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When patrolling out of Green Island and coming back from all night patrol of New Britain and New Ireland - It was well over 100 miles to and from these patrol areas so all the boats would be low on fuel with less weight and could run faster for the race. If the seas were calm, When we sighted land at Green all boats in the section would get in a line then open up and race to the entrance of the lagoon. Our crew would all lay down on the bow because the boat would plane out better with more weight forward. Our chief motor mac, Chas. McIntosh, had a secret which our crew kept. He would remove the air mesh covers from the super chargers which would give more air to the carburetors which would give a couple more inches of manifold pressure and thus more speed. We seldom lost a race to another Higgins boat But Elcos were a little faster than the Higgins especially the 77 footers. They were the fastest.

C. J. Willis

Posted By: CJ Willis | Posted on: Aug 30, 2014 - 10:17am
Total Posts: 464 | Joined: Nov 5, 2006 - 5:02pm



Great info, CJ, thanks!

You know all us PT buffs love to hear these kinds of sea stories from you veterans...



Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Aug 30, 2014 - 6:53pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am



Good stuff!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 6:33am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



Thanks CJ, I know we all love hearing your stories while you were on the boats.



Posted By: Frank Andruss | Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 11:22am
Total Posts: 3964 | Joined: Feb 9, 2007 - 11:41am



C.J.
It is always great to read your eyewitness accounts. We on the messageboard are so very fortunate, that You(242), Earl(108), Pat(154), Jack(103, 65, 319), and John(107), all of you on your first boats were all in the same area at the same time,
It is just too bad I can't find the $$ means to make the Last 77' ELCO, PT 48, that fast once again.
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 3:29pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am



Thanks for sharing CJ. It's always fun to hear the lighter side of what you all went through on these wonderful boats.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 3:50pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm



My father-in-law frequently told the same story. One of his non-war war stories. I'm happy to have it backed up. Also verifies something that I suspect we all have always known: GI's can and will make the best of any situation . We adapt and overcome.

Rick Schaefer
Splinter PT 63

TM2c John E Mirus
Solomon Islands
Dec 43 - Jan 45

Posted By: rickas | Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 6:18pm
Total Posts: 82 | Joined: Dec 26, 2013 - 5:16pm



Ted This is Rick Schaefer. In CJ Willis post on drag racing PT boats, you mentioned 4 or 5 PT boaters who are still with us. Can you tell me who John (PT 107) is? My father-in-law was on PT63 the day it and the 107 burned. Just wondering if John was there at that time. Thank you.

Rick Schaefer
Splinter PT 63

TM2c John E Mirus
Solomon Islands
Dec 43 - Jan 45

Posted By: rickas | Posted on: Aug 31, 2014 - 6:25pm
Total Posts: 82 | Joined: Dec 26, 2013 - 5:16pm



Rick;
His name is John Sullivan, his last post is on the next page [url]http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?fid=102&cid=101&tid=3626&pg=2&sc=20&x=0[/url]

He is also in constant contact with his PT Boater buddy and RON 5 Shipmate RMC A. V. "Stocky" Stockdale USN (Ret.) RON 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Take care,
TED



Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Sep 1, 2014 - 3:53pm
Total Posts: 3058 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am