|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN PT-Boat Elco 80' 56 Tons 80' x 20' 8" x 5' 1 x 40mm 2 x Torpedoes 2 x Twin 50 cal MG 1 x 20mm  USN November 1943 |
Ship History Built by Electric Boat Co., Elco Works, Bayonne, NJ. Laid down September 18, 1942 as an 80' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat (MTB).. Launched December 3, 1942 as PT-167. Completed and placed into service December 17, 1942 in the U.S. Navy (USN). Assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Ten (MTBRon 10). Nicknamed "Who Me?" and later "Ugly Duckling" then "Knickerbocker" and finally "Hot As Hell". Wartime History In early May 1943 at Balboa in Panama one of six PT Boats loaded aboard SS Stanvac Manila as deck cargo in cradles with PT-167 and PT-172 forward of the bridge, facing forward and transits the Pacific Ocean bound for Nouméa. On May 24, 1943 tanker SS Stanvac Manila was torpedoed by Japanese Submarine I-17 roughly 100 miles south of Nouméa on New Caledonia. Due to efforts of the crew, PT-167 was floated off the sinking vessel and only sustain damage to the topside then towed by destroyer to Nouméa Harbor. Afterwards, to the Solomon Islands and operated from Rendova PT Boat Base (Lumbari Island / Todd City). In early November 1943 began operating from the newly established Torokina PT Boat Base. On November 5, 1943 at 3:00pm PT-167 departs Torokina PT Boat Base under the command of Ensign Theodore Berlin on a mission with t USS LCI(G)-70 to escort USS LCT 68 to the Treasury Islands. At approximately 7:15pm after sunset the trio were roughly 28 miles southwest of Cape Torokina. Suddenly, a dozen Type 97 Kates armed with torpedoes approached from the west at 200' to 300'. The lead plane appeared to dive towards PT-167 that opened fire and passed overhead at only 15' to 20' struck the radio antenna wobbled a few times then crashed into the sea. At this same moment, a severe shock was felt. After the attack, the crew discovered the initial shock felt was caused when the lead plane dropped an aerial torpedo that hit the bow above the waterline and passed through the opposite side without exploding. A few minutes later, now in total darkness, another group of planes attacked and PT-167 opened fire. The stern 20mm gunner claimed hits on one of the planes that caused it to burst into flames and crash into the sea off the port quarter causing a splash that drenched the stern of the PT Boat. Meanwhile, one of the crew saw a torpedo wake cross under the fantail of PT-167 then continue onward without exploding. Meanwhile, the Kates targeted USS LCI(G)-70 that was hit in the engine room by an aerial torpedo that failed to explode but injured some of the crew. Reportedly, Radio Tokyo claimed the attacking planes scored hits on two aircraft carriers off Bougainville. After attacking planes departed, PT-167 embarked two wounded crew from the LCI-70 and transported them to LCT-68 for treatment. Afterwards, LCT-68 that was never attacked and PT-167 was used to transport volunteers to attach a tow line to LCI-70. Despite the bow damage, PT-167 at midnight on November 6, 1943 returns to Torokina PT Boat Base. The next morning, the bow damage was photographed from the port and starboard sides. The impact created a large hole roughly 6' x 2'. Inside the bow, pieces of the torpedo's stabilizing fins and one of the rudders broke off inside. Likely, the aerial torpedo was released too close and had not armed or malfunctioned and did not detonate. Afterwards, the bow was repaired and PT-167 resumed duty. During April 1944 transfers to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and operates from PT Advance Base One in New Guinea. On May 23, 1944 at 1:00pm departs with PT-163 under the command of Ensign Roger M. Jones on a night an anti-barge patrol from PT Advance Base One in New Guinea to patrol from the mouth of the Ramu River to Mindam village. At 8:34pm the pair spot two radar pips and two minutes later makes visual contact with three Japanese Type A barges a half mile northwest of Marangis. PT-163 illuminates the barges with a 60mm mortar flare, causing the barges to turn towards the PT Boats and all the vessels opened fire. Ashore, a gun battery at Watam Point believed to be 40mm opens fire on the PT Boats but the gunfire was inaccurate and high. PT-163 was damaged by 20mm gunfire from the barges. The PT boats claimed to damage all three barges but none were observed to sink. After the first run, the PT Boats opted to disengage and returned to base on May 24, 1944 in the early morning. During June 1944 began operating from Mios Woendi PT Boat Base and later Samar Island in the Philippines. Fate On November 11, 1945 placed out of service, stripped of usable parts then destroyed and scuttled off Samar Island in the Philippines. References NARA U.S. Navy Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla One Torpedoing of PT 167 14 November 1943 pages 1-6 NARA U.S. Navy Commander Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons, Seventh Fleet "Report of Action of PTs 167 and 163, Nigh of 23/24 May 1944" June 12, 1944 pages 1-7 At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 112-113, 141-142, 437, 461 NavSource PT-167 (photos) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Photo Archive |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
