Restoring PT-658

[nikimcbee]

Wow, where to start? I found out about this PT boat and got the offer to help volunteer in the restoration. Well today was my first day checking it out and doing some work. Thes best part was working with the vets and having lunch with them. 2 of them fought in the battle of Leyte Gulf, and one had his pt boat sunk by a kamikaze!

The offical website. http://www.savetheptboatinc.com/index.htm

stuff I found on youtube:


my pix from today:








Don't fall in!




















Mark 4 Torp detonator

[Sledgehammer427]

now that is cool

I always had a soft spot for PT boats, Schnellboots are a favorite of mine but those old Elco's are just the coolest things.
keep taking pictures!


EDIT: I just noticed it was actually afloat X_X
any ideas if you guys are going to get it running?
my guess is no but it wauld be flippin' cool if you were

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by Sledgehammer427

now that is cool

I always had a soft spot for PT boats, Schnellboots are a favorite of mine but those old Elco's are just the coolest things.
keep taking pictures!


EDIT: I just noticed it was actually afloat X_X
any ideas if you guys are going to get it running?
my guess is no but it wauld be flippin' cool if you were

They've ran it in the past, but I guess it had some pretty bad woodrot. It's presently rated to about 15 knots. The last time they ran it the chain that is hooked up to the helm stuck/jammed (rust) and they almost collided with another boat. They had to use the back up steering.

[AVGWarhawk]

You will not find anything much more satisfying than working on this vessel restoring it to it's former glory. Plus you get to go on boat rides and talk filthy like the rest of the sailors. Have fun and enjoy the work outside of your normal day to day duldrums.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

You will not find anything much more satisfying than working on this vessel restoring it to it's former glory. Plus you get to go on boat rides and talk filthy like the rest of the sailors. Have fun and enjoy the work outside of your normal day to day duldrums.

The best part is, I get to hang out with the vets.

[AVGWarhawk]

And they like it also! The Torsk has some WW2 vets that still come on Saturdays (Geezer Chief) and some that were on the boats during the cold war. We have one that got his dolphins on the Torsk. Trust me when I say they appreciate your efforts. To them, it is not just a piece of wood and steel, it was a part of their life. It is also something for the older guys to do in their twilight years. It is a club, a social function or a night of playing cards with the boys without the cards. It gives them purpose. I find it satisfying because restoring the Torsk is so out of realm for me and it helps clear my mind of the past work week. So does smelling some of the solvents and paints It is just a good feeling that you are working on something very cool. Eventually you will see these guys have BBQ's in the summer or hold a yard sale for the boat. The Torsk Volunteers do. It is a lot of fun restoring a piece of history.

[Sledgehammer427]

AVG, my mom works up in Baltimore (she works for Casey Family Services, if the name rings a bell) So if I ever go up with her, or if you are showing up at the SUBSIM meet this year, we'll have to meet. Maybe if there is some work going on, I'd be glad to help out!

[AVGWarhawk]

Every Saturday the boat is open at 0700 by the volunteers and work goes on most of the day. Torsk work weekend in October is always fun. We feed and berth you for your efforts. If you get a chance to swing by on any given Saturday please PM me a week or two prior and I will meet you there. I'm working on making the SS meet.

[nikimcbee]

Weekly update: We got the bow decking placed. Four, large maritime-grade plywood pieces.
The best part, I had lunch with ton of the guys who trained the Tuskeegee (sp?) Airmen. He lives up in WA. Lunch wiht the vets rocks.

[nikimcbee]

Weekly update: First off, I was informed the "Cavalla hat had to go", so now I have a new PT-658 hat (I guess I'm oh-ficial now).

During lunch, I got to hear first hand about the pt-boat that attacked the Mogami during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, where they raced in and shot out the search lights at point blank range. Oh yeah, I worked on the boat too.

Before (bow sans deck)


after with brand new deck




Still more work to go (outside looking in crew compartment)

[AVGWarhawk]

She is looking good! It is fun working on them. Meaningful. The vets are great to talk with. Some folks go to the bar or movies to relax. We go restore something on a ocean going piece of history and enjoy the resin smell from the paint! Keep up the good work!

[nikimcbee]

Spent thew day cleaning (vacuuming and washing) the bow crew quarters getting it ready to paint.

[nikimcbee]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Spent thew day cleaning (vacuuming and washing) the bow crew quarters getting it ready to paint.

Same as last week.

[AVGWarhawk]

Prep work sucks but if it is done well the results can be very satisfying.

[Chad]

Jason I am so jealous

That is very very cool. And thanks for the pictures! If you attend this meet this year if we go to Battleship cove you could probably give a tour of the PT Boat with the knowledge you're gaining!