The PT Boat Forum
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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 BOAT WHEEL
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So many times in the past I have been sent items that were supposedly on PT BOATS. Many folks really don't know what they have, but lay claim that it came off a PT BOAT.
EBAY item number 140253256815 is another one of those items claiming to have come off a PT BOAT. This time it is a PT BOAT WHEEL. Ok guys give this one a look and tell me what you think. I can pretty much rule out this being a wheel from the helm of an ELCO, so take a peek and get back to us...............
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 28, 2008 - 3:53pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Hi Frank.
I just looked and there is a note stating that a man emailed the seller stating the wheel looks like it came from a Higgins boat. There is a picture there now of a Higgins cockpit and the wheel in the auction does look very similar to the one in the Higgins boat image.
Cheers from PeterTareBuilder
"Give me a faster PT boat for I'd like to get out of harm's way!"
Posted By: PeterTareBuilder | Posted on: Jul 28, 2008 - 6:05pm
Total Posts: 494 | Joined: Jun 24, 2008 - 5:59pm
That Higgins photo is (I'm pretty sure) the 78' Higgins at Battleship Cove (PT Museum) - you can see the exposed roof. Don Shannon will tell you it is NOT a PT Boat wheel, just the closest he could find at the time (BTW - he is looking for a real wheel if you have a lead on one...)
EDIT - yeah, I found my pics. Here's the same wheel...which Don says is not a WWII PT Boat wheel:
[IMaGe]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e362/newsnerd99/0608206.jpg[/IMaGe]
I can't say with 100% certainty, but don't PT Boat wheels have one of the arms turned in so it can be used as a crank, allowing the man at the helm to effect a quick turn?
It's possible that the wheel came a small 1940's USN craft...and someone just called it a PT Boat, because, afterall - isn't that every small boat that went faster than 20 knots? 
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 12:57am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Where's my buddy Jerry Gilmartin when I need him. I spoke with Don about that wheel, and you are right, it is not a real Higgins Wheel. As I stated many folks claim they have something from a PT BOAT, but it turns out not to be. I know that the Elco Wheel had an inward turned high speed turn handle, and I think the HIGGINS had one as well ( not 100% sure ).
Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 3:50am
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am
Found this in image in a book:
Higinns PT-631 Wheel.
Dick . . . .
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Webmaster/HigginsWheel-01.jpg[/image]
Posted By: Dick | Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 1:36pm
Total Posts: 1417 | Joined: Aug 27, 2006 - 6:36pm
[IMaGe]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/Gary%20Szot/PT307damage.jpg[/IMaGe]
Here is a good shot of a Higgins wheel on PT 307
Posted By: Gary Szot | Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 3:22pm
Total Posts: 193 | Joined: Feb 12, 2007 - 1:00pm
They look similar in size, construction and the mounting bracket, but the PT's had the crank. I wonder if the navy has a standard wheel that Elco and Higgins then adapted to fit the PT need?
Here's a photo Steve Nugent passed along - its the wheel Ron 15's Fred Rosen came home with, possibly from the 207? It hung over his fireplace:
[IMaGe]http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e362/newsnerd99/higginshelm.jpg[/IMaGe]
(thanks Steve!)
Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT 209 and RON 23 PT 243
Check out: www.pistolpackinmama.net
Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Jul 29, 2008 - 4:59pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered
Hi Guys,
As I look at the photos again, I wondered how the men in the Med come home with items like the wheel, a bell or whatever, if they were all turned over to the British ? I'm curious, seems like they would have liked a ship in one piece.
I can see how many items must have come back from the Pacific, as they stripped the boats before they were destroyed.
Steve Nugent
Posted By: Nuge210 | Posted on: Jul 30, 2008 - 2:27pm
Total Posts: 323 | Joined: Jun 4, 2008 - 7:50am