MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT SQUADRON SEVEN
MTB RON 7 IN CAIRNS AND THURSDAY ISLAND, QLD
IN AUSTRALIA DURING WWII
As at 1 April 1943, United States Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Seven, consisted of:-
Torpedo Boat Division Nineteen (PT Boats 127, 128, 129 and 130)
Torpedo Boat Division Twenty (PT Boats 131, 132, 133, and 134)
Torpedo Boat Division Twenty-One (PT Boats 135, 136, 137, and 138)
PT Boats 127, 128, 129, 130, 131 and 132 were operating in the New Guinea area under Com Task Group 70.1
PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138 were operating from Cairns in far north Queensland under Com MTB Ron 7 for training purposes and they were awaiting orders to proceed to Thursday Island to establish a new PT Boat Base and from there to be prepared to move to Merauke, Dutch New Guinea. PT Boats 151 and 152 were temporarily attached to MTB Ron 7.
The following reports are for the PT Boats based at Cairns. I have not included reports on the PT Boats in the New Guinea area:-
1 April 1943
PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 151 and 152 were moored to Cairns Wharf. PT 135 was ordered to investigate an unidentified and suspicious vessel off Fitzroy Island. They searched the area and nothing suspicious was found. DD 144 was sighted and challenged. PT 135 returned to Cairns. PT 136 was ordered to Johnson's Slipway, on the Barron River for docking and overhaul.2 April 1943
All PT Boats exercised at General Quarters and carried out fire drills. The Gunnery Department checked all armament. PT 135 made preparations for dry docking.3 April 1943
PT 136 undocked and returned to Cairns wharf. PT 135 dry-docked for a bottom overhaul. PT 138 was ordered to Johnson's Yard to make preparations for docking. A Captain's Inspection was held for all PT Boats at the Cairns dock.4 April 1943
PT 135 undocked and returned to Cairns Wharf. PT 138 dry docked for a bottom overhaul and strut and propeller check. PT Boats at dock prepared all small arms and landing equipment for scheduled exercises to be held on 5 April 1943.5 April 1943
PT 138 undocked and returned to Cairns Wharf. PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138 and 152 underway at fifteen minute intervals commencing at 1430 hours and proceeded independently until all boats were in prearranged positions when a simulated attack to establish a beach head on Fitzroy island was ordered. All boats anchored and men went over the side into small dinghies fully armed and equipped to make a landing. After landing, the men and officers divided into four groups with orders to rush to the top of the 800 foot summit one mile away. The first group arrived to defend the same against the other three groups. All men returned to their boats at sunset.6 April 1943
At 000- hours PT Boats 133, 135, 136 and 137 as Task Group 1, departed the Fitzroy anchorage and proceeded to False Cape for a simulated night strifing attack on a shore battery camp, which had been prearranged with the battery commander. The simulated attack was entirely successful with all boats firing all their Very Pistols 200 to 300 yards offshore representing gun and torpedo fire and retiring before searchlights came on. The PT Boats returned to Cairns Wharf. At 0200 hours, PT Boats 134, 138, and 152 left Fitzroy anchorage to make a similar attack from a different approach. During the attack, a PT Boat was picked up by a searchlight and was considered destroyed. The PT Boats retired and returned to the Cairns Wharf. PT 151 was ordered to Townsville with Commander Task Group 70.1 and Commander MTB Ron 7 onboard.7 April 1943
PT 135 proceeded to False Cape for a conference regarding the simulated attack the previous night. PT 151 returned to Cairns Wharf from Townsville. All PT Boats at the dock were undergoing engineering department checks.8 April 1943
All boats exercised at General Quarters and carried out Fire Drills. A Special Instruction for all radiomen in radio communications procedures was held. PT 134 test fired its machine guns outside the Cairns harbour area.9 April1943
PT 136 traveled out of the Cairns Harbour to test its radar. All other PT Boats were at the dock.10 April 1943
A Captain's Inspection was held for all boats at the dock followed by General Quarters and fire drills. PT 138 went outside Cairns Harbour to test fire its machine guns.11 April 1943
All boats except PT 151 and PT 152 commenced preparations to move north to a new PT Boat Base. Torpedoes were topped off, gassed up, and boats sent ashore half their personnel for working parties.12 April 1943
All boats except PT 151 and PT 152 continued preparations to move north to their new base at Thursday Island. Gassing, topping off of torpedoes and working parties continued. PT 151 was ordered to Johnson's Yard, on the Barron River for dry docking.13 April 1943
All boats except PT 151 and PT 152 continued preparations to move north to their new base at Thursday Island. Gassing, topping off of torpedoes and working parties continued, along with the commencement of loading of USS YMS 9, YMS 49, YMS 50 and USS YP 280, with squadron equipment and food.14 April 1943
All boats except PT 151 and PT 152 continued preparations to move north to their new base at Thursday island. Gassing, and topping off of torpedoes was completed. Working parties continued with the loading of YMS 9, YMS 49, YMS 50, and YP 280. PT 133 escorted USS Tulsa into Cairns Harbour. The loading of USS Tulsa with squadron equipment commenced.15 April 1943
PT 151 and PT 152 were detached from temporary duty in the squadron and ordered to report to Com Task Group 70.1 for duty via Commander MTB Ron 7 confidential letter dated 15 April 1943, Serial No. FC-7/F16/00. PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138 completed preparations to move north to their new base at Thursday Island. The loading of USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 and YP 280 with squadron equipment and gear continued.16 April 1943
In compliance with Com 7th Fleet Dispatch 090720, PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 and YP 280 departed Cairns Harbour at 1430 hours rendezvousing 3 miles north of Cairns buoy to form a convoy. Commander USS Tulsa OTC. PT Boats 133, 134 were secured to YMS 49 for towing. PT Boats 135, and 136 were secured to YMS 9 for towing. PT Boats 137, and 138 were secured to USS Tulsa for towing. The Convoy proceeded north at 7 knots to their new base at Thursday Island.17 April 1943
The Convoy continued to proceed north. All boats and ships participated in anti-aircraft practice, firing at balloon targets released from USS Tulsa. Dispatch 16-1300 issued by Com Task Group 70.1 designated Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Seven as Task Unit 70.1.3.18 April 1943
PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, a mobile barge, USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 accompanied by YP 280 continued to proceed northwards to their new base at Thursday Island.19 April 1943
PT Boats 133 to 138, mobile barge, USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 and YP 280 arrived at Port Kennedy on Thursday Island at 1645 hours. The PT Boats were moored to buoys.
The following reports are for the PT Boats based at Thursday Island. I have not included reports on the PT Boats in the New Guinea area:-
20 April 1943
One half of the personnel from the PT Boats formed working parties and commenced unloading the squadron's gear and food from USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 and YP 280. Work commenced to establish their new PT Boat Base. Barracks, galley, office and a repair shop were being setup. Upon debarking from USS Tulsa, ACU No. 4, Lt. Stephen Torma D-V (G) USNR OIC, reported to Com MTB Ron 7, for duty by Orders of Com 7th Fleet dated 8 April 1943, Serial No. P16-4/00 (1561). Upon debarking USS Tulsa, Traveling Circus No. 1, Lt. E. Bjohrus, USN, OIC reported for duty to Com MTB Ron 7 by verbal orders of Com 7th Fleet.21 April 1943
Working parties continued unloading squadron equipment and food from USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 and YP 280 and continued to establish their new base on Thursday Island.22 April 1943
The working parties completed unloading USS Tulsa, YMS 9, 49, 50 and YP 280 except for frozen foods on YP 280. Work continued on building their new base.23 April 1943
PT Boats 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, and 138 continued to supply working parties for establishment of the new base on Thursday Island. PT 135 was ordered to travel to Horn Island and return.24 April 1943
Working parties continued to establish the new base.25 April 1943
Working parties continued to establish the new base.26 April 1943
Working parties continued to establish the new base. PT 135 was ordered to RAAF No. 52 Radar Station at Muttee Head, Queensland with batteries and equipment and return.27 April 1943
Working parties continued to establish the new base. PT 134 with Com MTB Ron 7 and an officer from each of PT Boats 133, 135, 136, 137 and 138 and a native pilot carried out a navigational survey of the Western Area Islands of Torres Straits and return.28 April 1943
Work continued to establish the new base. PT 133 with Com MTB Ron 7 onboard and one officer from each of PT Boats 134, 135, 136, 137 and 138 carried out a navigational survey of the Eastern Area Islands of the Torres Straits and return.29 April 1943
Working parties continued to establish the new base. PT 137 was ordered to RAAF No. 52 Radar Station at Muttee Head and return. Lt. George E. Cox, Jr. USNR was ordered by Com MTB Ron 7 to the Merauke area to survey facilities available of an advanced PT Boat Base.30 April 1943
Working parties continued to establish the new base. PT Boat 133 was ordered to Horn Island and return.
Photo:- Naval History and Heritage Command NH 44487
PT Boat hauled out on the base
marine railway on Thursday Island in about 1943.
Lt. Thomas A. Arnold, USNR, Engineering Officer with MTB RON 7 looking on.
REFERENCES
"Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Seven" - Fold3 web site
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This page first produced 3 December 2023
This page last updated 03 December 2023
