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  PT-119 "Wewannagohome / Joco' Girl"
USN
Elco 80'

56 Tons
80' x 20' 8" x 5'
1 x 40mm gun
2 x Twin .50 cal MG
4 x 21" torpedoes

Ship History
Built by Electric Boat Company (Elco) in Bayonne, NJ. Laid down April 22, 1942 as an Elco 80' Motor Patrol Boat. Launched July 21, 1942 as PT-119. Completed August 8, 1942 and placed into service with the U.S. Navy (USN) and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).

Wartime History
Assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 6 (MTBRon 6). Nicknamed "Wewannagohome" and later "Joco' Girl". During March 1943 began operating from Tufi PT Boat Base.

On March 17, 1943 embarked a native patrol and departed Tufi PT Boat Base to land them at Kotobato north of Tufi. Ashore, the native patrol killed three Japanese then returned with one Japanese Prisoner Of War (POW) then returned to base.

Sinking History
On March 17, 1943 at 6:45pm PT-67 and PT 119 were full fueled ahead of the night's operation and were moored alongside the dock at Tufi PT Boat Base. An accidental flame cause gasoline on the surface of the water between the two PT Boats to ignite and quickly spread onto each vessel. Attempts to extinguish the flames were unsuccessful and it was impossible to cast the burning boats free. Abandoned, both PT Boats burned uncontrollably and their fuel tanks and ammunition exploded causing both to sink into Tufi Harbor.

Meanwhile, nearby Australian vessel AS16 was abandoned and drifted into the fire and was also destroyed and sunk. The flames spread to the wooden dock and gasoline barrels ashore causing a large fire and detonated six Mark IV depth charges that further spread flames and ignited another 700-800 fuel drums stored nearby. The flames burned overnight due to fuel that seeped into the ground. The blaze continued until the afternoon of March 18, 1943. In total, 4,000 fuel drums were destroyed, the dock and a shed with tools, spare parts, pumps, diving gear and ammunition.

References
At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 171, 180. 183, 457, 486, 488
NavSource PT-119

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Last Updated
November 26, 2023

 

SCUBA
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