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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102

ť Topic: Deck hatch hold open device and jackstaff
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4207

Hi, I have looked through old posts but can't seem to find the answer,
did the PT-109 have the deck hatch devices to hold them open at the
end of its life? I assume that the jackstaff bracket was there but no
jackstaff on it when the 37mm was lashed to the deck. Any help
would be appreciated.

Richard

Posted By: Richard Payne | Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 5:51am
Total Posts: 1 | Joined: Jan 30, 2017 - 5:43am

Hi Richard, and welcome!

The hold open device for the galley hatch is missing in this shot. I'm not aware of any photos that show the more forward forecastle / crew hatch or jackstaff. The after deck didn't use a device.

[image]http://www.i.imgur.com/5KRToe4.jpg[/image]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 9:21am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Since that photo has always looked like it has been heavily retouched -- I believe JFK explained in a letter to Kirksey's family that the negative had been "damaged by the heat" -- I'm not sure the galley hatch hold-open device would show up.

I don't know why it wouldn't have been there in actuality, unless it was one of the items not included on the early 103-class boats. I don't see a hold-open device in front of the galley or crew's head hatches in photos of PT 107, so maybe the 109 didn't have them either?

As for the jackstaff, I don't remember seeing it in photos of PTs in the forward areas of the Pacific. As far as I know, the Navy Jack flag (blue with 48 white stars) flown on the jackstaff, which fit into a socket on the foredeck, would be present while in Stateside or secure ports, but seldom seen in the combat areas.

Someone who knows more than I do about this will correct me if I'm wrong.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 2:04pm
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

I'm not sure when they started adding the device Drew. Although the drawing lists 103 on, I see from photos of early factory fresh boats that they are missing. Here's what I found in the photos I have:

no device
107
108

has device
117 maybe
129

Here's the unretouched 109 shot: [url]http://i.imgur.com/77XLSo4.jpg[/url]

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Jan 30, 2017 - 4:18pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am