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| USN 80' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat 56 Tons 80' x 20' 8" x 3' 6" 40mm gun 37mm gun 20mm gun 2 x twin .50 cal MG 4 x 21" torpedoes   Justin Taylan 2012 |
Ship History Built by Electric Launch Company Ltd. (Elco) in Bayonne, New Jersey. Laid down March 14, 1945 as 80' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat. Launched July 18, 1945. Completed September 5, 1945. Commissioned September 17, 1945 into the U.S. Navy (USN) as PT-615. Wartime History During September 1945, assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 42 (MTBRon 42) under the command of Lt. Comdr. James A. Danver, USNR the only squadron commissioned after the cessation of hostilities but never shipped overseas to join the Pacific Fleet. On January 28, 1946 placed out of service. On February 25, 1946 struck off the Naval Register. On August 27, 1946 reclassified as small boat C105341. Transfered to the War Shipping Administration and sold as war surplus. Postwar This vessel was heavily modified into a pleasure craft and private yacht with a cabin that was stored and serviced by Elco. During the 1950s, leased to Hollywood actor Clark Gable who named it "Tarbaby IV". Afterwards, this boat was sold to several different owners. In January 1988 purchased by Flagship Marine Services Ltd. in Philadelphia, PA. Afterwards, the vessel underwent a complete refurbishment and powered by two diesel engines and two 20kw Kohler generators with 3,000 gallons of fuel and 1,000 gallons of water capable of a cruising speed of 10 knots and weighed 67 tons (net) and 98 tons (gross). Named "Flagship III" the vessel was offered for charter as a yacht for corporate groups, events and private parties. In the early 2000s stored in a boat yard in Greenwich, NJ and offered for sale by Dennis Seeley. On December 6, 2005 purchased by Robert Iannucci / Fleet Obsolete and towed by tugboat Gowanus Bay around Cape May then along the coast of New Jersey to New York City then up the Hudson River to Fleet Obsolete in Kingston, NY. During the fall of 2007, lifted by a crane out of the Rondout Creek and placed on land at Fleet Obsolete next to the Cornell Building. The cabin and superstructure was removed. The upper hull is painted gray with "PT615" and red lower hull. The stern has "Kingston NY". Later, lifted out of the Hudson River and stored on land next to the Cornell Building with a cover atop the upper hull. Today, stored on land with a cover over the upper hull awaiting restoration at Fleet Obsolete in Kingston, NY. Registered with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as PT 615 with vessel number 277246 and call sign WK3313. References Note, some source list name as "Tar Baby IV" versus "Tarbaby IV". At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 481, 564 (index) Historical Naval Ships PT-615 (archive) NavSource PT- C105341 ex-PT-615 Flagship Marine Services, Ltd. "Flagship III" brochure U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) PSIX Vessel Search - Vessel Name PT 615 Fleet Obsolete - PT-615 Information Sheet Thanks to Robert Iannucci / Fleet Obsolete for additional information Contribute
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