PTF-17

After World War II, the United States Navy scrapped or sold almost its entire PT boat fleet and, although it experimented during the next twenty years with differing fast patrol and torpedo- or missile-armed boat designs, it mass-produced no new class of fast patrol boats. During the Vietnam War, the urgent need for such patrol craft led to production of new vessels for coastal and inland waterways. Built in 1968 by John Trump and Sons of Annapolis, MD, from parts supplied from Norway and plans provided by the Royal Norwegian Navy for its successful Nasty class of PTs, PTF-17 and several sister boats were rushed into use in Vietnam as high-speed reconnaissance and patrol craft. Powered by two Napier-Deltic 3100-horsepower diesel engines, PTF-17 could make up to 38 knots with a tactical turning radius of 300 meters. Its original armament consisted of a 40mm Bofors on the stern, one 20mm Oerlikon per side, and an 81mm/.50 caliber machine gun piggyback mounting on the bow. PTF-17 weighed 69 tons, measured 80’4” long, had a beam of 24’7”, and a draft of 6’10”. Because of Vietnam’s high temperatures and humidity, air conditioning was installed throughout the interior. The boat provided fourteen enlisted and four officer berths, and its galley, equipped with a sink, refrigerator, electric stove, and cabinets, could keep the crew supplied with provisions for up to two weeks.

Buffalo, New York · United States