Motor Torpedo Boat PT-658

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PT-658, June 2006
PT-658, June 2006
PT-658 Portland, Oregon
PT-658 Portland, Oregon

Motor Torpedo Boat PT-658 is a Higgins design PT boat, similar in function but slightly different in design and layout from the more common Elco boats.

The 78 foot Higgins PT Boat, the USS PT-658 has been completely restored to its original 1945 configuration during the years 1995 to 2005. PT-658 is now fully functional and afloat. It is the only 100% authentically restored US Navy PT Boat that is operational today in the world. The USS PT-658 is located in Portland, Oregon at the Swan Island Naval Reserve Center Pier.

She is afloat and has 3 working 1,850 hp Packard Model 5M-2500 V12 gasoline engines. A dedicated group of PT Boat veterans formed the organization Save the PT Boat, Inc.,[1] and then restored the boat, to include a full armament of 4 Mark 13 Torpedoes, 2 twin .50 inch Browning M2 machine guns, a 40 mm Bofors cannon, two 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, and 2 Mark 6 300 pound TNT depth charges.

While the restoration is essentially complete, the boat is not open to the public, and it is awaiting raising money to build a permanent shelter.

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Dick Lowe PT veteran in front of bunk
Dick Lowe PT veteran in front of bunk