PT658 - Save The PT Boat

The attached article "PT 658 : Wooden Boats and Iron Men", was published in the May/June 2007 issue of The Oregon Sentinel, a publication of the Oregon National Guard.

Article on page 9: Click here for details

Bob Hostetter Obituary "From farm to forest to PT boat"

in June 3rd Oregonian by Amy Martinez Starke

The attached obiturary was published on June 3, 2007 in the Oregonian.

Article: Click here for details Click here for details

Bob Hostetter article "A Movinng Piece of History"

The attached article "A Moving Piece of History", was published in the January 2007 issue of "Around the Oval", a publication of the Colorado State University Alumni Association.

Article: Click here for details

"All Hands" article November 2006

"All Hands" magazine article on the 2006 Rose Festival with interview of Dick Lowe and general info on PT 658 with boat underway.

Article: Click here for details select November, then 2006 and hit 'GO'. Pages 36-39.

Dick's video: Click here for details.

General info with PT658 underway video: Click here for details.

Naval Historic Ships Association "Anchor Watch" articles Fall 2006/2007

"U.S.S PT 658 LIVES UP TO THE 'PLENTY TOUGH' MOTTO OF PT BOATERS" by Jerry Gilmartin

Fall 2006 page 7-11 Click here for details.

"PT 658 AT 33 KNOTS" by Jerry Gilmartin

Fall 2007 page 7 Click here for details.

PT 658 Progress Update 2005 - February, 2006

There have been numerous accomplishments on the PT658 in the last year. The overall appearance of the boat has changed quite a bit since the last update. Focusing on the historic restoration of the PT boat and also trying to include modern safety systems has been the overall thrust of all members of the restoration crew. Click here for details.

PT boats: Weapons of war (August 9, 2005)
Daring and dashing, PT boats play a pivotal role in Pacific warfare
Oregonian article by Ted Mahar. Click here for details and cutaway.

PT Boat at Cathlamet, Washington (July 15-17, 2005)
A piece of history - a World War II patrol torpedo boat - drew people from all over the Northwest to Cathlamet's Bald Eagle Festival and Wooden Boat Show this weekend. Click here for details.

Dedication of PT 658 (June 6, 2005)
One year after transferring PT 658 from the barge to the water, the PT veterans drove the boat up the Willamette River for its dedication ceremony. Click here for details.

2004 and 2005
Since the fire in October, 2003 that was centered amidships in the wardroom CO's hanging closet and desk, the boat has been fully repaired. The year 2004 saw several significant events take place for the restoration effort. The PT 658 was launched into the waters of the Willamette River at Swan Island on June 7, 2004. Shortly thereafter, we took the PT658 to the Portland Antique Wooden Boat Show at Tomahawk Bay Marina in Portland on the Columbia River on June 25-27, 2004, where several hundred visitors saw it. Click here for details.

PT 658 Underway on the Willamette River in Portland, Oregon (September 21, 2004)
The naysayers who claimed PT 658 would never be completed, much less leave a wide wake powered by three purring Packard's, were proven wrong today!! Under clear skies in 70 degree weather, the boat cleared the dock at the Swan Island Naval Training Center at 1300 hours. Bob Hostetter, former PT exec officer, stood at the helm as she headed out for the Willamette River. Click here for details.

Transferring PT 658 From the Barge to the Water (June 7, 2004)
Early Monday morning, June 7, 2004, Foss Maritime Company's tugboat, named Jim Moore, came to the dock on Swan Island Lagoon to transport the barge on which PT 658 was cradled, to a crane at the Swan Island Shipyards where the boat could be lifted into the water. Click here for details.

After a Bad Fire, Determination Prevails in Restoring PT 658 (October 2, 2003)
Restoration of PT 658 was nearly complete, when a fire on October 2, 2003, caused serious damage to the officers� quarters and surrounding area. (See updated photos on the photo page). The fire started at the 24-volt electrical circuit panel on the bulkhead next to the skipper�s bunk. It badly damaged bulkheads, beams, ribs, bunk, shelves, desk, and the deck in the cockpit. Flames also spread to the crew�s quarters, but did not enter the engine room, although control cables and electric lines from there to the cockpit were damaged. Click here for details.