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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-200
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Ok, so i'm just curious, what happened with the 200 ? .. I did some minor research and came up with the following, via navysource.org..

"Sunk 22 February 1944 in a collision with an unknown object off Newport, Rhode Island"

A collision with an unknown object ??.. I wonder what that could've been .. Anyone have any insight ??.. Obviously out there doing some kind of test run.. Seemed like a nice boat for being a 78ft. Higgins.. Too bad she didn't make it to the South Pacific..

PS: I know it might sound somewhat silly, but she's one of my 4 go to's when I go into battle online... so quick, & has one helluva' punch for a 78-Higgins..

[image]https://i.postimg.cc/TYLytdJ9/PT-200-IRL-vs-War-Thunder.jpg[/image]

[b]NW.[/b]






Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 3, 2021 - 8:39am
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am




& after a little more research.. found this..

"22 Febuary 1944 USS PT-200 strikes unknown object off the Brenton Reef Lighthouse. On 23 Febuary 1944, USS PT-200 sinks while under tow from USS PT-506 four miles from Sakonnet Point, Rhode Island."

.. but still, I wonder what it hit... hmmmm..


[b]NW.[/b]



Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 3, 2021 - 8:55am
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am



I wonder if they salvaged her? I don't know the depth there; might not have been worthwhile.




Posted By: alross2 | Posted on: May 3, 2021 - 9:58am
Total Posts: 993 | Joined: Oct 30, 2006 - 8:19pm



The only other (unsubstantiated) entry I ever saw was that she struck a whale.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: May 3, 2021 - 3:49pm
Total Posts: 1955 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 4:19pm



Here is what I found from my research while writing my book MTBSTC:

PT-200 was sunk in a nighttime collision with an unknown ship off of Newport, RI on February 22, 1944 with no loss of life. PT-200 was raised and returned to MTBSTC, where it was survey and deemed beyond repair and was stricken from the list.

I'll have to go back through my sources to find out where it came from. I think the war diary but I'm not sure. Let me look.

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: May 4, 2021 - 8:41am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



Yes, from the MTBSTC War Diary.

jx8Nj.jpg

jxS85.jpg

Charlie

Posted By: 29navy | Posted on: May 4, 2021 - 8:52am
Total Posts: 598 | Joined: Dec 28, 2006 - 3:02pm



29....

WOW!. what a great response.. I love the detail, and more than anything can finally put to rest what happened to the 200.. ran down though, smh..probably some fool out there pleasure boatin' or day sailin' (one of my favorite quotes from Captain Quint from the movie Jaws.. LoL).. Anyways, thanks much for the research and post!

Just a sidenote:

After re-reading the entries I realized the 200 went down Feb. 22nd & wasn't located and brought back until April 27th... 2 months !!!!.. For gawds sake, that seems like a long time for a recovery mission.. wonder what the crew went through ??.. 2 months to recover a boat.. smh.. unbelievable!


[b]NW.[/b]



Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 4, 2021 - 12:35pm
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am




Dick or admin.. please delete this.. I finally figured out how to edit a post on this forum....thx!

Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 4, 2021 - 12:44pm
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am



Yours truly seated at the Bofors on the 78ft. Higgins 658 ( yup, same blood-line as the 200).. morning of May 8th, 21.. inside the moorage before a morning engine test run (which I did go on btw, Skip Richard handled it perfectly).. a huuuuuuge thanks to Jerry, Richard, Tom, Brian, Dave, and all the other fellas that are involved with this project, you guys are pretty F'n awesome.. I'm gonna' know ALL of you, wager that!

PS: thanks for takin' that shot Jerry... pure gold!

[image]https://i.postimg.cc/xCmn7GPT/NWSaint-PT-568-May-8-2021.jpg[/image]


[b]NW.[/b]



Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 8, 2021 - 3:00pm
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am



Hey NW!
Yeah it was a stroke of luck we just happened to be taking the boat out to test the engine repairs. You should definitely purchase a Lottery ticket with this kind of luck you have going today! I look forward to having you return and become one of the crew!

Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 12:30am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



Wow lucky you NW! Very cool, and yes Jerry is awesome. He went crawling over the .50 twin mounts taking measurements for me when I was working on it for my project, as well as taking very helpful photos. And he often helps others here as well as posting priceless vintage PT photos for us. [:-cheers-:]




Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 6:41pm
Total Posts: 2200 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am



No NW shouldn't waist his money on a lottery ticket, he done used up all his good luck for several years! But hay, money comes and money goes, but memories like you got that day, last a life time!



Posted By: Stearman | Posted on: May 9, 2021 - 8:51pm
Total Posts: 150 | Joined: Nov 1, 2017 - 9:38pm




Hey NW!
Yeah it was a stroke of luck we just happened to be taking the boat out to test the engine repairs. You should definitely purchase a Lottery ticket with this kind of luck you have going today! I look forward to having you return and become one of the crew!


Jerry..

.. that had to be one of THE BEST times in life right there.. I mean seriously, any hesitation I had about going out was put away when we came out of down below and we were actually out of the moorage (tricks, I seen how you reeled me in.. LoL), how could I possibly say no at that point.. regardless, just incredible, that's all I can really say, words can't even describe the feeling of being on the 658 leaving port and scootin' up the Willamette.. such a good time.. I thank you with all my heart Jerry!


Wow lucky you NW! Very cool, and yes Jerry is awesome. He went crawling over the .50 twin mounts taking measurements for me when I was working on it for my project, as well as taking very helpful photos. And he often helps others here as well as posting priceless vintage PT photos for us.


Jeff:

Yeah,.. Jerry was just so super cool it wasn't even funny.. treated my like one of the crew upon first sight.. took the pix even before giving me the tour.. couldn't ask for a better host.. it's almost like he knew what I wanted instantly, without even knowing me.. & yes, I agree, the pictures and work he's done on the forum is incredible.. I'm not even sure how i'm going to be able to follow up a man like that.. i'm just glad to have had the chance to make his acquaintance..


No NW shouldn't waist his money on a lottery ticket, he done used up all his good luck for several years! But hay, money comes and money goes, but memories like you got that day, last a life time!


Stearman:

You got that right.. those memories will surely be with me when it's time to go.. just the feeling of being on that boat, even before it pulled out of the moorage was seriously intense.. I mean on the one hand you all of a sudden realized that this wasn't just a toy-boat, but rather a boat built for battle, the size of it I would've never believed, especially going downstairs, and then realizing what was topside.. but then again, on the other hand realizing you were surrounded by mahogany with no armor, smh, was most terrifying.. especially going up against light cruisers, heavily armored barges, etc.. maaaaaan them guys had balls..

Was certainly a great day.. & I can't even begin to express how much I LOVED IT!!!!.. as i'm sure any of you would.. Portland and the 658 or New Orleans and the 305, no matter, if you get the chance, DO IT!

BUT, back to the thread at hand, how in the world did it take 2 months (TWO MONTHS!) to recover the 200 ????.. i'm still blown away by that.. I mean in todays world, if a boat/ship were to be lost, it'd be appauling if efforts weren't underway within 24 hours, but 2 months ?!?!?!?!?.. good christ!.. I mean I know times are different compared to back then, but really, IMO that just seems like a long time, especially for the shallows of RI right outside Melville and Newport.. there's gotta be more to this.. LoL!


[b]NW.[/b]






Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 10, 2021 - 11:56am
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am



Ok then, so just a little something I was fooling around with in War Thunder.. & more than anything it's not just a tribute to the 200, but a tribute to the 658 here in Portland.. while the 200 used tubes for fish launch, my 200 was modified for side drops, and with the addition of the rocket launchers made it feel more like the 658.. but the point being they were both 78ft. Higgins PT's, which pretty much made them from the same mold.. only difference being, the REAL 200 never made it off the Eastern Seaboard (smh.. still looking for why it took so long for recovery).. the REAL 658 is just a one in a million gem that I can't even put words to (seriously).. and MY 200 which is a cross between the two..

SO, apologies for the slight hiccups here and there.. but .. enjoy!

PS: Jerry.. Richard.. watch carefully.. LoL!

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93T9vmNiyhc[/url]



[b]NW.[/b]



Posted By: NWSaint | Posted on: May 11, 2021 - 4:44pm
Total Posts: 28 | Joined: Apr 17, 2021 - 10:57am



Nice Video NW! I subscribed to your channel! The video really demonstrates how the weapons look in use, pretty cool. Thanks for making the video!
Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: May 12, 2021 - 12:06pm
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm