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: Interview of Captain Richards Miller Annapolis Yard
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4960

Last month I was approached by a gentleman from Annapolis who pointed me to this interesting interview with the supervisor of the Annapolis Yacht Yard during WWII. Perhaps this interview has been discussed on this board before but it was new to me :

https://amaritime.pastperfectonline.com/archive/49F1C907-2389-44DC-9CCF-414940145948

I particularly like the bit about the faulty kerosine heater, I feel sorry for the Russian sailors who had to make do with it .

Arjan

Posted By: Arjan Wiskerke | Posted on: Oct 14, 2020 - 8:52am
Total Posts: 162 | Joined: Dec 22, 2018 - 12:04pm

On the subject of lend lease Vospers, some nice photos have recently been posted of a late batch of Vospers built by Jacob's (Adriatic theater) :

http://cfv.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=457

Arjan

Posted By: Arjan Wiskerke | Posted on: Nov 25, 2020 - 1:49am
Total Posts: 162 | Joined: Dec 22, 2018 - 12:04pm

Wow:

[green]It was nearly midnight when seven long dark shapes were sighted, bunched together in two main groups, with a single ship well astern. Jerram gave the order 'Flag Four' over the R/T - attack with torpedoes. He himself swung round towards the second of the two groups and fired both torpedoes at two of the enemy craft which were moving very close together and which had been identified as F-Lighters. It was remarkable feat of aiming for both targets were hit and sunk. The other two MTB's (409 & 408) followed up the attack and three more F-Lighters in the first group blew up and sunk.[/green]

Do you know which torpedoes they used for this amazing feat?

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Nov 25, 2020 - 6:00am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Hi Jeff,

I'm not sure but probably the usual 21 inch Mark VIII torpedoes. Three pics of an Annapolis Vosper at Leghorn Italy :

Regards,

Arjan

Posted By: Arjan Wiskerke | Posted on: Nov 25, 2020 - 6:40am
Total Posts: 162 | Joined: Dec 22, 2018 - 12:04pm

Thanks Arjan. I really like that series of photos!

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Nov 26, 2020 - 9:08am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Hi Jeff and Arjan,
If these MTB's were in the Royal Navy I am fairly certain they were fitted out to use their dependable British Torpedoes and not the old unreliable US Mark 8 torpedo. If the boat was built for lend lease it was not unusual for them to have British Torpedo Tubes installed right at the factory. I know Higgins did this same thing for their boats sold to USSR and others.

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Nov 27, 2020 - 12:50am
Total Posts: 1473 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm

Hi Jerry,

It's probably only coincidence that the main British 21 inch torpedo was also labeled Mark VIII , at least I don't think there was a link with the US one. Apparently the British developed an improved version of the Mark VIII in 1944.

A general description from the Imperial War Museum :

The 21 - inch Torpedo Mk VIII** was the standard torpedo used by the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and until recently, was still in limited service. It proved extremely reliable in all marine theatres of operations and formed the main armament of submarines and motor torpedo boats. Such was the dependability of this type of torpedo that it was used during the Falklands campaign. On 2 May 1982, three were launched by the British nuclear attack submarine HMS Conqueror, two of which sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano.

Regards,

Arjan

Posted By: Arjan Wiskerke | Posted on: Nov 27, 2020 - 3:58am
Total Posts: 162 | Joined: Dec 22, 2018 - 12:04pm

Just for info purposes the Argentine Navy General Belgrano was formerly the WW2 US Brooklyn Class Light Cruiser USS Phoenix (CL-42), a Guadalcanal Veteran.

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Nov 28, 2020 - 6:16am
Total Posts: 3059 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

There were many detail differences between British and American built Vospers, spot the difference (rear deck and transom) :

Arjan

Posted By: Arjan Wiskerke | Posted on: Dec 1, 2020 - 4:28am
Total Posts: 162 | Joined: Dec 22, 2018 - 12:04pm

Cool photo Arjan, thanks. It looks like the censors did some editing in the upper left of the photo, I see a mast just hanging in the air.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Dec 1, 2020 - 7:18am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

That's right Jeff, the censor blotted out all the radar masts and he probably also obscured the boat numbers on the transom.

Regards,

Arjan

Posted By: Arjan Wiskerke | Posted on: Dec 1, 2020 - 9:59am
Total Posts: 162 | Joined: Dec 22, 2018 - 12:04pm

Hi Arjan
Can you give me your email or send me a letter to igornskrf@gmail.com? I have some questions about Annapolis Yacht Yard and Vospers.

Igor Kryukov

Posted By: IgorNSK | Posted on: Jan 21, 2021 - 10:35pm
Total Posts: 53 | Joined: Jan 20, 2021 - 11:13am