Patrol torpedo boat PT-37 explained

The PT-37 was an American PT-20 class motor torpedo boat deployed in World War II. It was laid down 12 April 1941 by the Electric Boat Co., Elco Works, Bayonne, NJ, and entered service on 18 July 1941.

On 11–12 December 1942, while patrolling off Guadalcanal, PT-37 and PT-40 attacked the Japanese destroyer Teruzuki (then the flagship of Rear Admiral Raizō Tanaka), successfully hitting her with torpedoes.^[1] Depth charges on the ship eventually exploded causing her to sink three hours later.^[1]

PT-37 was sunk by gunfire from the Japanese destroyer Kawakaze off Guadalcanal on 1 February 1943.^{[2] [3]}

Further reading

• Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships - USS PT
• At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the United States Navy
• Motor Torpedo Boat Manual, February 1943

References

1. Web site: IJN Teruzuki: Tabular Record of Movement. Bob . Hackett . Sander . Kingsepp . combinedfleet.com . 2012 . 5 November 2019.
2. Web site: Joseph M.. Radigan. Motor Torpedo Boat Photo Archive PT-37 . NavSource - Naval Source History. December 15, 2019.
3. Web site: Jan . Lettens . USS PT-37 (+1943) . wrecksite.eu. May 11, 2010 .