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| USN 77' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat 40 Tons 77' x 19' 11" x 4' 6" 2 x Twin .50 cal MG 4 x 18" torpedoes |
Ship History Built by by the Electric Boat Company in Bayonne, NJ. Originally planned as PT-44 but reclassified as a Motor Boat Submarine Chaser, PTC-24 then redesignated PT-44. Laid down May 17, 1941 as 77' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat. Launched July 18, 1941 as PT-44. Completed July 30, 1941 and the next day delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN). Wartime History Assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron TWP (PTRon 2). During December 1941, one of eleven PT Boats assigned to Panama Canal Zone. During late 1942, one of twelve PT Boats shipped to the South Pacific and operated from Tulagi PT Boat Base. During the night December 6-7, 1942 departed on a patrol under the command of Lt. Frank Freeland as part of a striking force with PT-59, PT-36, PT-37 plus PT-48 and PT-40. At 11:35pm, the other PT Boats spotted the enemy force of destroyers and a larger vessel and started their attack runs. PT-44 fired all four of her torpedoes then departed safely, claiming two hits. Afterwards, the enemy vessels retired to the north. During the night of December 8, 1941 to December 9, 1942 PT-44 with PT-59 patrolled three miles off Kamimbo Bay on Guadalcanal. Spotting a Japanese barge the pair opened fire. Next, lookouts aboard PT-59 spotted surfaced I-3. At 7:03am, PT-59 launched two torpedoes from 400 yards one of which hits the stern of the submarine. A geyser of water spouts high in the air, followed by a tremendous explosion. The second torpedo passed under PT-44. On December 11, 1942 after dark, PT-44 under the command of Lt. Frank Freeland with Lt(jg) Charles M. Melhorn, Ensign John D. Chester and quartermaster Willard A. Crowe with PT-110 patrolling off Kamimbo Bay on Guadalcanal. Over the radio, they received a report of an enemy force between Cape Esperance and Savo Island. Sinking History On December 12, 1942 shortly after midnight, hit by gunfire from Japanese destroyers Kawakaze and Suzukaze and sunk southwest of Savo Island into Iron Bottom Sound. Aboard, two officers and seven enlisted crew were lost. Fates of the Crew Afterwards, Lt(jg) Melhorn swam to Savo Island and reached the beach between 7:30am to 8:00am. Approximately an hour later, he and another crew member were rescued by Lt. H. S. Taylor. References At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 59, 95-99 (December 7, 1942), 452 (PT-44), 486 (PT Losses), 488 (PT Losses, PT-44), 561 (index) Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - U.S. Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Operational Losses "PT-44 destroyed by Japanese warships Kawakaze and Suzukaze, off Guadalcanal, Solomons, 12 Dec. 1942." NavSource - PT-44 (photos) Contribute
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