Fall River in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
PT Boats
PT 617/PT 796
Fast and furious WWII vessels
The daring PT boats gave invaluable support to the US Navy during World War II. Known as the "Mosquito Felet," their main mission was to attack enemy ships raning from small bargest to large destroyers. Regarded as an exciting assignment for young sailors, PT boat duty was nevertheless quite hazardous. Each crew included two officers and 8-14 enlisted men, and they became known as "Knights of the Sea." They formed close bonds and were trained in everyone's job in case of a death during combat.
Too small to be christened with a name, PT boats were given numbers and later, nicknames from the crew. They wer emade mainly of wood, making them light and easy to repair. Loaded with torpedoes, they were pound for pound the most heavily armed vessels of the war.
At Battleship Cove, two PT boats can be visited: PT 617, "Dragon Lady" and PT 796, "Tail Ender." On the USS Massachusetts, the National PT Boat Museum can be viewed. Battleship Cove proudly displays the largest collection of PT artifacts in the world.
🦟 PT 617 and PT 796 are National Historic Landmarks.
Topics. This
this page online
Location. 41° 42.31′ N, 71° 9.774′ W. Marker is in Fall River, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It can be reached from Water Street west of Davol Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Water St, Fall River MA 02720, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the South Coast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: USS Lionfish (here, next to this marker); World War II / Korean War / Vietnam War / Gulf War / September 11 (here, next to this marker); USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (here, next to this marker); USS Massachusetts (here, next to this marker); PT 617/PT 796
Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
