Launch PT-305!

Reminds me of a time I was scraping a nasty bottom and my boss instructed me to make sure I stopped scraping before I hit the inside of the boat
 
The web site says there are only 4 existing PT boats and this is the only fully restored one.
I saw 3 on the Hudson River a few years ago. One was in the water and looked to be fully restored, at least the exterior was - don't know about the interior. 2 more were sitting on the hard and were in fairly rough shape but restorable.
 
Restored and fully operational restoration sounds a bit different.
 
There is one in Portland, Oregon which was "finished" in the last year of so.

Thanks for the notice. The $2500 donations which included a ride, went fast. More rides were added, and more money is needed.
 
I think I remember something about that restoration in Or.
 
My Florida neighbor was a radioman, crew member on one in the Med, during WWII. I never realized PT's were that active in Europe during WWII. He was there late 43 through the end of the war.

Ken
 
There was one that visited Lewes, DE a few years ago, it was operational and was taking people on rides. I toured it at the public dock. I did not have original engines, they were replaced with late model Detroit diesels I believe. I think it was an ELCO boat also. Several different companies made PT's for the government during the war so maybe the 305 boat is the only HIGGINS boat restored to operational condition.
 
The National World War II museum web site states "the world's only restored and operational combat-veteran PT boat". I think the kicker is that PT-305 has a documented WWII combat record and the vessel is restored back to original US Navy/factory specifications, inclusive of all machinery and hardware. The museum had the original builders drawings and construction file from Higgins. They had several Old Timers that worked in the Higgins Factories during the War, assist in the rebuild.
 
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