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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic:
Elco Naval Academy
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I have been doing research on one of those areas not really touched on in the past. My research concerns THE ELCO NAVAL ACADEMY which was located in Bayonne New Jersey. I have come up with the following information.
Lt. Commander Frank W. Rowe Jr. was the Assistant Supervisor of Shipbuilding for the Elco Naval Division in Bayonne, New Jersey. In addition to his regular duties, Rowe initiated, organized, established, and in October 1940 began operating a school at the Electric Boat Company in Bayonne for familiarization and primary operational training of the officers and crews for the first PT squadrons. When the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center was authorized in March 1942, the Elco Naval Academy was then transformed into a school of specialized instruction in the construction, maintenance, and repair of the PT Boats, and continued until the establishment of the MTB repair and training unit at Melville, Rhode Island in December 1944. In excess of 2,500 officers and men were given instruction during the four years the Elco Naval Academy operated.
More than 2500 officers and men were given instruction during the four years the school operated including Squadron commanders, boat captains, base force, repair crews and mobile field units for special installations changes of the operating squadrons. All phases and, aspects of the PT Boats were covered by various short courses. Reserve officers and men and regular Navy personnel with little or no small boat experience were instructed in the fundamentals of boat handling, seamanship and machinery operation in the first year and a half. Particular emphasis was given base, repair and maintenance duties, during the last two and a half years the Academy operated. Special instruction was carried out for key Navy personnel if the United Kingdom and the USSR squadrons constructed under lend lease. The subject schools were initiated, organized and operated by the Assistant Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Lt. Comdr. Frank Walter Rowe Jr., and under his direction until relived. Various officers and inspectors under his command served as instructors for this school. Special credit should be shown to Comdr. Rowe for the initiative, interest and leadership shown by him in the establishment and maintenance of the Elco Naval Academy.
The Elco Naval Academy building was located at the time on 11 Schuyler Place. It was a very large corner home on the street which was purchased by Elco for their use. The academy was within walking distance of the Elco plant and in fact had a stairway behind the plant that lead to Schuyler Place. Unfortunately this home no longer exist’s in the area so I could not get an updated photo of it to show. There are several photos that show the Academy during it’s time of operation that can be posted here.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Feb 26, 2021 - 11:30am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Thanks Frank, I love the nuts and bolts side of PT boats. The RTU manual / parts list you posted has come in very handy.
Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Mar 1, 2021 - 7:51am
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am
Thanks Jeff. I love diving into areas that for the most part on not really touched on dealing with the PT BOAT SERVICE.
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Mar 1, 2021 - 2:02pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am