US Patrol Torpedo Boats

Gordon L. Rottman

Motor torpedo boat development began in the early 1900s and the vessels were first put into active service during World War I. However, it was not until the late 1930s that the US Navy commenced the development of their Patrol Torpedo or PT boat program. The PT boat, or the mosquito boat as they were sometimes known, was originally envisioned for attacking larger warships with torpedoes using its stealth ability, high-speed, and small size to launch and survive these attacks. However, they w