KEEPING SERIOUS BOATERS IN THE KNOW. EDITED BY SIMON MURRAY
WATER F RONT
Living History
16 POWER & MOTORYACHT / JUNE 2017 WWW.PMYMAG.COM
When I fi rst heard the National World War II Museum in New
Orleans was restoring an actual World War II combat-veteran PT
boat, I sprang into action—I made a phone call.
Th e news struck a chord with me because these wooden boats
(can’t really in good conscience call them warships) were a per-
sonal waypoint as I grew up. Th e stories about PT boats fi red my
imagination and interest in history, where guys on boats were do-
ing their part in the war eff ort—as opposed to Navy ships that re-
ally were as foreign and unknowable to my young mind as Roman
galleys, medieval castles, or sword-swinging knights on horseback.
I felt a kinship with those crews as I read about Jack Kennedy and
PT 109 or watched the Duke in Th ey Were Expendable, and, yes,
even Ernest Borgnine in McHale’s Navy.Fast forward to March on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, when
it all came rushing back as I stood on the deck of PT 305 (known as
U.S.S. Sudden Jerk to her crew, the reason for which would become
apparent on our tour of the lake at 26 knots). She puff ed smoke
from her side exhausts, as the rumble of three idling Packard V-
engines fi lled her newly completed boathouse at Lakeshore Land-
ing marina. Th is is a restoration, not a refi t. Th e boat is as close to
original as they could get it, with just a Raymarine gS series display
at the helm, a genset, and seats (concealed in deck boxes) and a rail
around the deck to help keep everyone on board and safe.
Because it’s not just for dignitaries: Visitors can take rides, too ($350;
pt305.org). Get your own feel for history and get on board. And keep an
eye out for my full report in an upcoming issue. —Jason Y. WoodA WORLD WAR II PT BOAT RIDES AGAIN IN NEW ORLEANS, AND SO CAN YOU.