PT (Patrol Torpedo) boats were critical to Allied success in World War 2. A unique class of fighting ship, they were designed to take on much larger vessels. Heavily armed with both torpedoes and machine guns, they penetrated minefields and other harbor defenses because of their small size, maneuverability and speed. PT boat squadrons saw action during the D-Day landings in Northern France, but were most active in the Pacific Theatre.
Their successes against the Japanese Navy were so great that the Japanese nicknamed them “Devil Boats”. 43 PT boat squadrons of 12 boats each were utilized by the U.S. Navy during the war. The Electric Launch Company (ELCO) of Bayonne, NJ produced more than 300 of the 80-foot boats. Many of these newly-built vessels made a stop at Glenwood Landing before they saw any action. At the Fyfe Shipyard they received some final modifications. It was there that camouflage paint was applied. Fyfe also served as a repair depot for damaged PT boats. New guns replaced those worn from battle. Fresh crews would join the squadron and sail from Hempstead Harbor to rejoin the war.
The Fyfe Shipyard opened in 1906 and operated in Glenwood Landing for more than 60 years. During those years, a wide variety of power boats and sailing craft was outfitted and repaired on its grounds. But the small yet significant role that the Fyfe Shipyard workers played in aiding the Allied efforts during World War 2 is perhaps how it is best remembered