PT boat facts for kids
PT Boats were small, super-fast ships used by the United States Navy during World War II. "PT" stood for "Patrol Torpedo," which tells you exactly what they did: they patrolled the waters and launched torpedoes! These boats were designed to be quick and agile, allowing them to sneak up on much larger enemy warships and attack them with powerful torpedoes. Because they were so small and fast, they were often called "the mosquito fleet," like a swarm of tiny, stinging insects.
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What Were PT Boats?
PT Boats were a special type of warship used mainly by the United States Navy in World War II. They were much smaller than big battleships or aircraft carriers, usually around 78 feet (24 m) to 80 feet (24 m) long. These boats were built from wood, which made them light and very fast.
How PT Boats Were Built
Most PT Boats were made by two main companies: Elco and Huckins.
- Elco built the most PT Boats, making about 326 of them. Their boats were 80 feet (24 m) long.
- Huckins built 78 feet (24 m) long boats.
These boats were powered by strong engines, usually three Packard V-12 gasoline engines. These engines gave them incredible speed, allowing them to zoom across the water at over 40 kn (74 km/h) (about 74 km/h (46 mph)).
What Weapons Did They Carry?
PT Boats were small, but they packed a punch! Their main weapons were torpedoes. Torpedoes are like underwater missiles that can sink large ships.
- Early PT Boats carried four torpedoes.
- They also had machine guns, like the twin .50 caliber M2 machine gun, to fight off enemy planes or smaller boats.
- Some PT Boats even had cannons or rockets added later in the war.
How PT Boats Were Used
PT Boats were used in many different ways during World War II, especially in the Pacific Ocean.
Attacking Enemy Ships
Their main job was to attack larger enemy ships at night. They would use their speed to get close, launch their torpedoes, and then quickly escape. This was a very risky job, but PT Boats were good at it because they were hard to see in the dark and could move so fast.
Other Important Jobs
Besides attacking ships, PT Boats also did many other important tasks:
- Patrols: They patrolled coastlines and islands to look for enemy activity.
- Rescues: They often rescued downed pilots or shipwrecked sailors.
- Transport: They sometimes carried small groups of soldiers or supplies to islands.
- Blockades: They helped to stop enemy ships from getting into or out of certain areas.
Famous PT Boats
One of the most famous PT Boats was PT-109.
- This boat was commanded by Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy, who later became the President of the United States.
- In August 1943, PT-109 was sunk by a Japanese destroyer.
- John F. Kennedy and his crew had to swim for miles to a nearby island.
- Their survival story became famous, showing the bravery of the PT Boat crews.
PT Boats were a vital part of the U.S. Navy's efforts in World War II. They were small but mighty, playing a big role in many important battles.
Images for kids
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PT-9 in June 1940
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Huckins 78-foot (24 m) PT-259 underway near Midway c.1944
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USS Hornet with PT-28 and PT-29
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PT boat gunner mans a twin .50 caliber Browning M2 machine gun off New Guinea
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An 80-foot (24 m) Elco PT boat with original Mark 18 torpedo tubes on patrol off the coast of New Guinea, 1943
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Lieutenant (junior grade) John Kennedy (right) with his PT-109 crew
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PT-658 in Measure 31-20L Camouflage, May 2011, Portland, Oregon
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ARA Alakush, Ushuaia, Argentina (1962)
See also
In Spanish: PT Boat para niños
