The PT Boat Forum
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi

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: PT boats refurbished in Melville, RI
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4764

Hello all

My wife and I are new members here. Her late father, CPO Charles S. "Pete" Burke, served on PT boats in the Pacific during WWII. We'll be glad to help the forum with any information that we have.

Now for our current question: In late 1944, Charles was a Chief Machinists Mate at the Melville, RI Navy ship yards, serving as an instructor. While there, he was assigned to help refurbish three PT boats that had been sent to Melville from the Solomon Islands area. We have a nephew living in New York who is very interested in researching this (his grandfather's) assignment; but the only information we have to help him is one article from a Pennsylvania newspaper. The article calls the ships "Three old ladies from the Solomons".
You can view the article here: https://imgur.com/BVdyAEZ

Does anyone here have any information about the operations at the Melville yards or possibly the three ships in question? We'd be very interested in even the smallest leads to help Joe get started on his research.

Thanks and best regards,
Dave & Carol Bruce
Ironton, Ohio

Posted By: CarolAndDave | Posted on: Nov 23, 2018 - 11:21am
Total Posts: 4 | Joined: Nov 23, 2018 - 8:57am

Dave and Carol

Melville was the home of the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center (MTBSTC), from which most training and doctrine emanated during the war. The membership on this site possess a vast store of knowledge about the boats and the personnel who manned them. I am sure you will be inundated with information and source material. You have come to the right place!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Nov 23, 2018 - 2:25pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Posted By: CarolAndDave | Posted on: Nov 23, 2018 - 2:47pm
Total Posts: 4 | Joined: Nov 23, 2018 - 8:57am

I believe PT 59 was one of those boats.

Bill Smallshaw

Posted By: smallwi | Posted on: Nov 23, 2018 - 4:29pm
Total Posts: 134 | Joined: Jun 21, 2007 - 3:02pm

In July 1944, PT 39, 40 and 46 arrived at Melville. PT 47, 48, and 59 arrived in August. All six boats were 77-ft ELCOs. For the most part, they were used to teach hull repair to the student at the MTBRTU - Motor Torpedo Boat Repair Training Unit, which was established in Feb 1944.

For a complete history of MTBSTC, I would recommend the book MTBSTC (available through Amazon). And for full diclosure, I wrote it.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Nov 24, 2018 - 6:54am
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

Damn fine book.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Nov 24, 2018 - 11:50am
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm

Charlie;
From our available photographs, the six boats the were shipped back were PT 38, 39, 40, 47, 48, and 59. PT 46 was not sent back to Melville.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Nov 24, 2018 - 1:33pm
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Yeah, their War Diary for July said it was 36, 40, and 46. I figured 36 was a typo and should have been 39. I guess 46 should have been 38.

Thanks.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Nov 24, 2018 - 6:23pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

Yeah, their War Diary for July said it was 36, 40, and 46. I figured 36 was a typo and should have been 39. I guess 46 should have been 38.

Thanks.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: Nov 24, 2018 - 6:24pm
Total Posts: 600 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm

Thank you all for your comments and information.
Our next step will be to obtain a copy of 29navy's book.

Dave & Carol

Posted By: CarolAndDave | Posted on: Nov 26, 2018 - 8:31pm
Total Posts: 4 | Joined: Nov 23, 2018 - 8:57am