05/31/2026
From April 20 to April 28, 1945, the MTB Squadron 26 Division 1, made up of PT-255, PT-256, PT-259, and PT-260, callsign "Trolley Car", made a staged transit from Midway Island to Pearl Harbor. During the transit, USMC SB2C Helldiver aircraft and USN PV-1 Ventura aircraft provided "air spotter" coverage (callsign "Dumbo") for the division, helping them to avoid uncharted shoals and providing radio coverage during their 20-25 knot transit. First photo shows the steel structure custom made for the boats to hold the total of forty two 55 gallon drums of 100 octane fuel. The torpedoes were removed (racks retained), along with the depth charges and Mk 6 smoke generator. Fuel transfer pumps were added. Second photo taken in Midway shows the installed drums in two sets of 21 taking advantage of the Huckins large deck area. The third photo shows the boats at French Frigate Shoals (FFS), where they spent four days. During the transit out of FFS, PT-256 sustained damage to her charthouse, which is visible in the next photo taken upon their arrival at Kauai (second boat outboard). The last photo was taken upon their arrival at Pearl Harbor. PT Boat Museum's collection.