Patrol torpedo boat PT-305

History
United States
NamePT-305
BuilderHiggins Industries, New Orleans
Laid down30 March 1943
Launched27 May 1943
Commissioned8 December 1943
In service22 December 1943
Out of service15 November 1945
Stricken28 November 1945
StatusMuseum ship
General characteristics
TypePT boat
Displacement42 long tons (43 t)
Length78 ft (24 m)
Beam20.08 ft (6.12 m)
Draft5.25 ft (1.60 m)
Speed40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Armament
  • 4 × 21 in (533 mm) torpedo tubes
  • 4 × .50 caliber machine guns
  • Mark 6 anti-submarine depth charges
Patrol Torpedo boats
Patrol Torpedo boats

PT-305, also known as USS Sudden Jerk, is a 78 foot Higgins PT-200-class motor torpedo boat that served with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 22, assigned to the Mediterranean, based at Bastia, Corsica, and St. Tropez, France, where it participated in Allied invasions.[1][2]

After World War II, the boat operated as a tour boat in New York City and as an oyster boat in the Chesapeake Bay. It was recovered and has been restored to its 1944 condition and is on display at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans.[3]

Specifications

source: The National WWII Museum[4]

Higgins "78" PT boat specifications

Length 78 ft (24 m)
Beam 20.08 ft (6.12 m)
Draft 5.25 ft (1.60 m)
Weight 43 tons (56 tons when fully armed and loaded)
Engines 3 x Packard 1A-2500 V-12s (located mid-ship)
Speed 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Crew 2x officers, 11x sailors

References

  1. ^ navsource
  2. ^ per Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1940–1945 compiled from various sources
  3. ^ "After restoration, World War II vet reunites with 'his' torpedo boat". CBS News. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  4. ^ "pt-305-fact-sheet.pdf" (PDF). The National WWII Museum. 29 January 2022.

30°02′27″N 90°00′47″W / 30.040815°N 90.013170°W / 30.040815; -90.013170