This morning at 11am, docked on the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland, the media are invited to photograph Oregon’s historic PT-658, the only remaining operable PT boat from World War II.

Lovingly, thoroughly and accurately restored by a group of PT boat veterans and volunteers, with help from an FY2011 $14,000 Cultural Trust grant, the PT-658 has very recently joined the National Register of Historic Places.

“We are delighted to have PT-658 listed in the National Register,” said Maurice Hooper, former PT boat crewman and Save the PT Boat, Inc. board president. “It’s a tribute to all of the veterans who served on PT boats and helped secure this nation’s freedom during World War II, as well as the dozens of volunteers who have worked tirelessly, investing thousands of hours to restore this historic boat.”

Boats like PT-658 were developed in the early 20th century by European naval powers as part of their coastal defenses. These small, wooden boats gave navies an inexpensive way to quickly deliver torpedoes which could destroy heavy battleships.

The United States began manufacturing PT boats in 1941, shortly before entering World War II. The PT boats may have carried more armament for their size than any other naval vessel but were sometimes considered expendable.

John F. Kennedy was the commanding officer of PT-109 when it was crushed by a Japanese ship in May 1942. He also commanded PT-59. Kennedy’s success with these wooden ships was highlighted during his 1960 presidential campaign and have since been the subject of several books and a movie.PT-658 was built near the end of the war in New Orleans.

Save the PT Boat Inc. acquired PT-658 and moved it to Portland in 1994.The authenticity and accuracy of its restoration are exemplary, according to its National Register nomination. Only two other PT boats are listed in the National Register, but neither is currently operating. The PT-658 nomination was reviewed and approved by the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office and the Oregon State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation prior to its presentation to the National Register.

The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on “National Register” at left of page). Save The PT Boat Inc. maintains a website at www.savetheptboatinc.com

Congratulations to Save the PT Boat!The Cultural Trust is proud to be part of the restoration that led to this latest honor for PT-658.