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BOATS OF WOOD: MEN OF STEEL
National World War II Museum exhibit features
engineering anomalies
NEW ORLEANS (March 28,
2007) – In an era when most combat boats and ships
were made of steel, wooden combat vessels represented
something of a design regression. However, these crafts
were built of wood to serve specific and important
purposes and would prove invaluable to the Allied
victory. The National World War II Museum explores the
story behind these engineering anomalies with the
special exhibition, Boats of Wood, Men of Steel: Wooden
Combat Vessels in WWII. The exhibit, drawing on Museum
collections as well as artifacts loaned from select
individuals, will be on display April 6, 2007 through
May 20, 2007.
Some wooden vessels, like the SC-497 Class wood-hulled
110-foot Submarine Chasers (SC), were built of wood to
save steel and to utilize the production capacity of
small boat yards while still producing an effective
vessel. The Submarine Chaser protected merchant vessels
from enemy submarines. Some specially modified Sub
Chasers also served as command boats during amphibious
landings. Others wood boats like the 136-foot YMS Class
mine sweeper were built of wood to avoid setting off
magnetically detonated mines. These vessels continued to
serve in the American Navy well into the 1970s.
One of the most notable types of wooden crafts was the
PT or Motor Torpedo Boat. This small, fast craft would
race at the enemy to launch torpedoes before making a
hasty retreat. The complex curves of the boat’s hull
would have been very difficult to manufacture from
steel. The wooden hull was also easier to repair in the
makeshift bases where PT boats were stationed. The most
famous PT boat was PT-109 which was commanded by future
President John F. Kennedy. A PT boat was also used to
evacuate General Douglas MacArthur from the Philippines.
The most common and important wood hulled combat craft
of WWII was the Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel (LCVP),
better known as the Higgins boat. These wooden vessels,
produced in New Orleans, were present at every Allied
amphibious landing of WWII. Without them the course of
the war would have been radically different. The
National World War II Museum houses two Higgins crafts
in its permanent exhibits.
The National World War II Museum is designated by
Congress as “America’s National World War II Museum.” It
interprets the American Experience during World War II
years and celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork,
optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who
won World War II and promotes the exploration and
expression of these values by future generations.
For more information on programs and exhibits at the
National World War II Museum, visit
www.nationalww2museum.org or call 504-527-6012. To
arrange group visits, please call 504.527.6012, ext.
222.
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