PT boats were a torpedo-armed fast attack crafts used by the United States Navy; during the Second World War; especially in South Pacific war theatre. The acronym PT stands for “Patrol Torpedo” and immediately identify the operational use : to carry out patrol and attack; with her torpedoes against surface targets; duties. The Elco Naval Division; located in Bayonne; New Jersey; was the most famous manufacture of PT boats during the World War II. The famous PT-109; belonged to the ELCO PT-103 class; had a length of 80 feet (24 m.) and a full load displacement of 56 tons. Powered by three 12-cylinders 1;500 horsepower Packard gasoline engines; was able to reach the speed of 41 knots. The primary offensive armament was based on four 21-inch (53 cm.) torpedoes. On April 1943; the command of PT-109 was taken by Lieutenant Junior Grade John Fitzgerald Kennedy; the future President of the United States.
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