Along the Waterfront.... Hall-Scott Defenders

[Ron J]

Here we see "Go Fast Boats" as the U.S. Coast Guard would call them today! These photos are from the late Thirties or early Forties. Hall-Scott was a company that produced Engines, based in California, founded in 1910.
Here we are most likely viewing Trial runs for the Armed Forces, most likely during WWII. The Hulls are wood of course, probably made by the Higgins Boat Co., the same company that made P.T. Boats! I am sure each vessel is powered by Hall-Scott Engines, no doubt. These vessels would have been used for, fast attacks, or picking up Downed Pilots, Rescue operations, delivering supplies etc.
I mentioned Higgins Boat Co. manufactured P.T. Boats, as did ELCO, Electric Boat Company in Connecticut.

Rj

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

How fast did they go? Are there many left? Kelley (Texas)

 

[Ron J]

35 to 40 knots, (40 to 45 MPH). I doubt many are left. I do know there are two fully Restored P T Boats at Battleship Cove in Massachusetts. They are both stored inside.
The wooden hulls were usually double planked, with strong Oak ribs for reinforcement.