Posted on 04/29/2007 6:07:56 PM PDT by SJackson
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Wreckage from a World War II torpedo boat was tossed up from the sea in the Solomon Islands after a powerful 8.1 earthquake hit the area in early April, an official said Friday.
Jay Waura of the National Disaster Management Office said the explosive-laden boat was exposed when reefs were pushed up three meters (10 feet) above sea level by the April 2 quake, which caused a devastating tsunami in the western Solomon Islands that killed 52 people.
The Solomons' coastline is still littered with decaying military wrecks from World War II, including the torpedo patrol boat commanded by U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
"My team members believe that this boat could have been one of those U.S. torpedo boats such as the famous PT-109, which the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy had served aboard during the war," said Waura.
Kennedy's boat was sunk by a Japanese destroyer in the Blackett Strait in August 1943 off Gizo, the main town of western Solomon Islands. The Solomons' main island, Guadalcanal, was the scene of fierce World War II fighting.
Waura said people on Rannonga island showed his team the wreckage sitting on dry ground.
"We were amazed by this finding, as previously this wreckage had long been sitting under the sea and rusting in peace without anyone knowing about it," New Zealand Press Association quoted Waura as saying.
Only the boat's hull with its deadly cargo of explosives remained intact, he said.
Waura said a Solomon Islands Police Force bomb disposal unit would be sent to the island to safely detonate the explosives.
Kennedy was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy serving in the Pacific when his PT-109 was cut in two by the Japanese destroyer. Two crew were killed, but Kennedy and the vessel's other survivors clung to the wreckage before swimming to a nearby island. The experience earned Kennedy the Navy and Marine Corps Medal.
Wreckage from PT-109 was found in 2002 by shipwreck hunter Robert Ballard, who also found the Titanic as well as other notable sunken ships.
Hmmm, is the crew still inside?
It wasn’t Kerry, the skipper was not wounded three times.
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq60-11.htm
Report on Loss of PT-109
< excerpt >
DIVISION B. As hereinbefore set out, PTs 162 and 109 of Division B with PT 169 of Division A were in Blackett Strait off Vanga Vanga, as was PT 157, which however, was not in contact with them. Around 0215 the three were due East of Gizo Island headed South, in right echelon formation with PT 109 leading, PT 162 second and PT 169 last. PT 162 saw on a collision course, a warship headed Northward about 700 yards away. The PT 162 turned to fire its torpedoes, but they did not fire. The PT 162 finally turned to the Southwest upon getting within 100 yards of the warship, to avoid collision. Personnel aboard the PT 162 saw 2 raked stacks, and at least 2 turrets aft, and possibly a third turret. At the time of turning, PT 109 was seen to collide with the warship, followed by an explosion and a large flame which died down a little, but continued to burn for 10 or 15 minutes. The warship when it was about 3000 yards away headed toward them at high speed. The PT 169 stopped just before the warship hit PT 109, turned toward it and fired two torpedoes when abeam at 150 yards range. The destroyer straddled the PT 169 with shell fire, just after it a collision with PT 109, and then circled left toward Gizo Island at increased speed and disappeared.
/ excerpt
Note that 169 fired toward the warship (and, if a collision was imminent, the 109) at the time the collision and explosion were reported. If it was too dark for the 109 to spot the Japanese ship, how were the other PT boats able to observe the details so well?
OK, Like I said “whatever” —— How about slow ahead? :>)
See link at post 24. At least two other PT boats spotted the Japanese ship, one at 700 yards, and took appropriate action.
Urban legend in the making...
"Beuller, Beuller... 
Anybody? Who was B. R. White? Naw, couldn't be Byron White, 17 years later to be appointed to the Supreme Court by President.........
Thanks for taking the time to dig up that review. It’s a valuable reminder that the media of the time was not so enthralled by “Camelot” as we’re led to believe now.
Why do you spoil a serious thread with such an inane post?
They had gone out over the horizon to catch up on some sleep.
McHale was higher than a mere Lt CMDR; he was CPO.
As every Swabby knows, officers may give orders, but Chiefs RUN things.
In fact, McHale was a THIRD LEVEL Chief, making him a C3PO!
My Father-in-law's brother went down on the USS Barton (DD 599) off Guadacanal in the night action of November 13. This was also the battle where the Juneau (CL 52) of Sullivan brothers fame was crippled and later later sunk. At the same time my uncle was a Marine on Guadacanal.
No, but the stogie the engine guy was smoking was still lit.
That's always been *my* question, and it's never been answered as far as I know... Perhaps, nobody?
the infowarrior
Sounds like something Chris Craft would build.
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