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JCJR
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 114
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 Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 5:26 pm Post subject: How were troops disembarked from Swift Boats? |
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A dumb question re the beaching of swiftboats (as in the Silver Star incident)...
When the boats performed dropoff/pickup of marines or South Vietnam troops, how were they dropped off?
Were the craft beached, or did they use inflatable boats, or what?
Thanks
JCJR |
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rbshirley
Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 394
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: How were troops disembarked from Swift Boats? |
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| JCJR wrote: | When the boats performed dropoff/pickup of marines
or South Vietnam troops, how were they dropped off? |
..........................  ..........................
Famous cartoonist Corky Trinidad added a "Nguyen Charlie" touch to the troop insertion evolution
............................................................  ...........................................................
.. 
.. For more information on Swift Boats, visit Patrol Craft Fast ..
.
Last edited by rbshirley on Sun Aug 29, 2004 10:09 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Michmaddave
Ensign
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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That pic was very cool!!
Any more you can put on here or are they accessed by some link? I have even more questions:
-what powered the Swifts? Single or dual screws? or some sort of water pump "jetboat" technique?
-what was their armmament?
-How did they compare to the PBRs? Size, preference, etc..
-displacement?
-armour?
-speed?
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baldeagl
PO3
Joined: 07 Aug 2004
Posts: 260
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 8:03 pm Post subject: |
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Just click on the Patrol Craft Fast link and you can learn anything you want to know about the boats, their engines, crew, armament, etc.
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antimedia
USN OST-6 68-74
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Michmaddave
Ensign
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 55
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| Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2004 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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I can't believe I missed that huge link, I must need glasses.
Thanks.
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"He who dares not offend cannot be honest." - Thomas Paine |
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JCJR
Lt.Jg.
Joined: 24 Aug 2004
Posts: 114
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| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the great links and info, RBShirley. Very interesting!
Am ignorant of boats, warfare, strategy. Judging from the USA low-elevation, slow-moving rivers I've seen, which often have very shallow shores--
Even if the bow is touching dirt, sounds like maybe a miserable insertion, slogging thru muck and water for a long way to get ashore. Even if the bow is 'touching sand'.
It was mentioned that the Kerry Silver Star beaching was 'strategically reckless', which even I can understand, since the heavy armament is at the stern.
But since the boat had been doing pickup/dropoff that mission, was wondering whether the boat had already been beached several times that day. Was curious how routine was this beaching maneuver. |
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rbshirley
Founder
Joined: 07 May 2004
Posts: 394
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| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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| JCJR wrote: | | Was curious how routine was this beaching maneuver. |
It was not exactly an every day occurance, but it was not unusual.
It depended on the need to do so and the navigational situation.
Rocky shores, heavy trees or bushes, lack of a sufficient drop off
or inclement weather would be reasons not to beach. However,
if the need and the conditions were right, we would do it easily.
And not all "beachings" were for the activities of war. We also took
part in Medical Civil Action Programs (MEDCAPS) to bring health and
other services to the Vietnamese in remote locations. And some of
these were in quite pleasant surroundings:
. ...
MEDCAPS were a rewarding experience, but also carried danger.
............................... Hearts and Minds ..............................
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Nomorelies
Vice Admiral
Joined: 11 Aug 2004
Posts: 977
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2004 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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How were troops disembarked from Swift Boats?
Depends on the skipper. In Kerry's case, you hit the throttle wide open from a dead start, pop a 180 and dump 'em into the river.
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