Ex - USS PTF-25

USA / North Carolina / Oriental /
 military, boat, United States Navy, target (military)
Built in 1968 by Sewart Seacraft as the third of four Osprey Class Fast Patrol Torpedo Boats for the US Navy, the PTF-25 served for 11 years and saw action in Vietnamese waters before she was deactivated for an extensive experimental overhaul in 1979. Slated for an upgrade which included the installation of twin 3000hp turbines which fed power into twin pumpjet propulsion systems, the PTF-25 would have likely been one of the fastest boats in the US Navy roster had her overhaul not be terminated when approximately 30% complete. Now a partially constructed hulk, the PTF-25 was declared surplus to the needs of the US Navy and decommissioned shortly after her upgrade was cancelled.

Donated to the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, the ex- PTF-25 was heavily remolded to mimic a Soviet Komar Class Missile Craft and was placed in the BT-11 target range to serve as a gunnery target for USMC pilot training. Listed as being a target for MK 76/106, BDU 33/48 or equivalent practice bombs, the hulk of the former PTF-25 is now sunk on the shallow bottom is a severely damaged condition.

www.ptfnasty.com/ptf25.htm
www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/piney-island.h...
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   35°1'53"N   76°27'50"W

Comments

  • Does anybody remember the poor guy who turned the wrench the wrong way and flooded the engine compartment with lube oil? When we pulled in, we had to clean all the lagging an the pier before we could knock-off! '73 or '74, Little Creek
This article was last modified 12 years ago