[SIZE=18pt][/SIZE] [SIZE=18pt]Flip through the PT-305 CREWS scrapbook[/SIZE] [SIZE=18pt]http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html[/SIZE][SIZE=18pt]?[/SIZE] A historic World War II boat that survived dozens of operations -- and a few near-misses -- on the other side of the Atlantic is finally heading home to the waters where its journey began more than 70 years ago. PT-305, fresh off a multi-year restoration project at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, is traveling atop a barge set to reach the Industrial Canal near Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain by midday Tuesday. “This is a big deal for all of us, but especially for the men and women for the last ten years who put blood, sweat and tears into the restorations,” Stephen Watson, museum executive vice president and COO, told FoxNews.com Monday. The battle-hardened boat, nicknamed the U.S.S. Sudden Jerk, operated in the Mediterranean along the coasts of southern France and Northern Italy. PT-305 conducted more than 77 offensive patrols and operations, fought in 11 separate actions and sank three German ships during its 14-month deployment, according to the museum. Following WWII, PT-305 took on a civilian role as a tour boat in New York Harbor, a fishing charter and an oyster boat, while falling into disrepair before the New Orleans museum scooped it up in 2007. From there, a volunteer crew worked more than 100,000 hours on the project at the museum’s restoration pavilion to get PT-305 running again. WWII VETERANS AIM TO RELIVE HISTORY AS PT BOAT’S RESTORATION NEARLY COMPLETE On Friday afternoon, the boat was moved outside the facility where volunteers, according to Watson, gathered for some quiet time before traffic lights and public signage was removed to make way for its 1-mile trek to the Mississippi River. The next day, the boat, resting on a cradle, was lifted up onto a self-propelled modular transporter and was headed on its way. https://www.google.com/search?q=pt+305&tbm=isch&imgil=f5TwdiNH94NaJM%253A%253B46gD8PazzhLZ-M%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fwww.nationalww2museum.org%25252Fsee-hear%25252Fcollections%25252Fartifacts%25252Fpt-305.html%25253F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=f5TwdiNH94NaJM%253A%252C46gD8PazzhLZ-M%252C_&usg=__6vUT4xJyBpA4hxHuYuX2dZT4JBI%3D&biw=1600&bih=770&ved=0ahUKEwiWsaTzycbQAhUBViYKHSZcDmQQyjcIPg&ei=xpQ5WJa2O4GsmQGmuLmgBg#imgrc=EGjzoYLrwSGhAM%3A
Torpedoman 1st Class James Nerison, CA. U.S. Navy Torpedoman 1st Class James Nerison was part of the PT-305 crew patrolling off the coast of Corsica in 1944 when a pair of German destroyers locked onto them. The Higgins Industries Patrol-Torpedo boats were known for their speed and maneuverability, but they were up against superior Nazi firepower. Related Image Expand / Contract PT-305’s first crew included Torpedoman First Class James Nerison, top row, second from left. (Courtesy: The National WWII Museum) “We couldn’t shake them off for about 45 minutes and we were drawing a lot of fire,” Nerison, now 91, recalled. “I secured the torpedo rack that we launched the torpedoes with and ran up to the skipper and said, ‘Do you want me to throw over a smoke pot?’” The young sailor was referring to a 5-gallon can with chemicals that emitted smoke as a distraction. He was given the approval to toss the container over the side, and the German warships quickly started firing at it as PT-305 slipped off into the darkness. “We got off to one side and they weren’t able to find us that night,” Nerison said. The California native’s experience is just one of many among the 44 officers and enlisted men who called PT-305 home during World War II. Now Nerison, along with Joseph Brannan, a former 1st class gunner’s mate who also served on PT-305, hope to ride the boat once again.
