PT - 796 (torpedo boat) - Fall River, MA
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NorStar
N 41° 42.349 W 071° 09.803
19T E 320005 N 4619375
PT-796 is one of two torpedo boats that were on display in a structure that tells the story about the role of PT boats in the Navy.
Waymark Code: WMEGZF
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 05/29/2012
Views: 9
In Fall River, at Battleship Cove, is a collection of warships on display, including a structure that houses two PT boats, which are torpedo boats. This waymark is for PT-796, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
The boat is the one that has a shark mouth and teeth painted at its bow. It is otherwise painted in neutral colors. On one side of the boat is a stairway and walkway so that you have a view of the deck and a view of the inside through the porthole windows. On the cabin side are two plaques: one for the U.S. National Historic Landmark; and one for the Historic Naval Ships Association.
This particular ship was launched June 23, 1945 at the Higgins Shipyard at New Orleans, Louisiana. Other stats (from the HNSA.org site):
Length: 78 feet, 9 inches
Beam: 20 feet, 1 inch
Draft: 5 feet, 3 inches
Displacement: 48 tons
Armament: Two 22.4-inch diameter Mk13 torpedoes on roll-off racks; two twin .50 cal. machine guns; one 40 mm gun; one 37 mm gun; one 20 mm gun; smoke generator; two Mark 50 5-inch rocket launchers.
The boat mainly patrolled off the east coast and the Caribbean Ocean. The boat was once repainted as "PT-109" and pulled in the parade for John F. Kennedy's innauguration. The boat continued to serve until 1970, when it was decommissioned. Though it is owned by PT Boats, Inc. of Tennessee, it is on display with another PT boat at Battleship Cove.
Battleship Cove is a museum of warships, featuring the battleship, USS Massachusetts. The boat is part of an exhibit in a structure that is considered the country's largest museum for PT boats. Access is through the main entrance to the museum. There is a fee charged - see the web site for prices and directions.
Street address:
5 Water Street
Fall River, MA United States of America
02721
County / Borough / Parish: Bristol
Year listed: 1986
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1925-1949
Historic function: Defense, Transportation
Current function: Recreation And Culture
Privately owned?: yes
Hours of operation: From: 9:00 AM To: 4:30 PM
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Website 1: [Web Link]
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and brief account of your visit. Include any additional observations or information that you may have, particularly about the current condition of the site. Additional photos are highly encouraged, but not mandatory.