A Plethora of PT Boats in the Welland Canal, October 1945: A Snapshot of Post-War Naval Operations

In October of 1945, the Welland Canal, a vital waterway linking Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, became the unexpected scene of a fascinating naval display. A total of several PT (Patrol Torpedo) boats, including the PT-487, PT-486, and PT-545, were docked in the canal, accompanied by four unidentified PT boats and an ore carrier. This unusual collection of military vessels in the Welland Canal in the immediate aftermath of World War II offers a unique glimpse into the changing role of the U.S. Navy’s PT boats, as well as the transition from wartime to peacetime naval operations.

The Welland Canal: A Strategic Waterway

The Welland Canal, which runs through Ontario, Canada, has been a critical shipping route since its completion in 1829. It facilitates the passage of vessels between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean, bypassing the Niagara Falls. During World War II, the canal was strategically important, with the U.S. and Canadian governments recognizing its significance in transporting materials and military goods across the region. As the war drew to a close in 1945, it wasn’t only commercial vessels that made their way through this vital route; military vessels, including PT boats, were also present, either on training missions or as part of post-war decommissioning efforts.

October 1945 marked a transitional period for many military assets, as the world adjusted to the new reality after the conclusion of World War II. With the end of hostilities, many ships and equipment were no longer needed for active duty, and their future roles, either in reserve or as scrap, were uncertain. The Welland Canal became an essential location for ships in this phase, providing a point for naval vessels to either be retired, resold, or repositioned.

PT Boats: The Unsung Heroes of World War II

The U.S. Navy’s PT boats played a significant role during World War II, especially in the Pacific theater. These fast, small, and highly maneuverable boats were designed for attacking larger ships, with an emphasis on torpedo strikes. Despite their small size, PT boats proved incredibly effective in hit-and-run tactics, launching attacks on enemy shipping, and providing vital support to amphibious operations.

The boats, which were typically 80 to 100 feet long, were equipped with torpedoes, machine guns, and even advanced radar systems, depending on the model. They were crewed by young, agile sailors who operated the boats at high speeds, often in dangerous and challenging conditions. Their primary role was coastal defense, offensive torpedo strikes, and interdiction of enemy supply lines.

Throughout the war, PT boats were credited with sinking numerous enemy ships, including Japanese warships, transport vessels, and submarines. However, after the war, these boats, which had proven so effective in combat, found themselves facing obsolescence in the post-war era. The introduction of more advanced naval technologies such as aircraft and larger surface ships made PT boats less relevant for modern naval strategy.

PT Boats in the Welland Canal: Transitioning to Peacetime Operations

In October 1945, several PT boats were docked in the Welland Canal, likely as part of the naval efforts to either phase them out or reassign them to new roles. Among the boats present were PT-487, PT-486, and PT-545. These boats had served in various capacities during the war, and their appearance in the canal marked the beginning of a significant transition for the vessels and their crews.

PT-487

PT-487 was part of the famous Elco-class of PT boats, which were among the most widely used during World War II. The boat had served with distinction in the Pacific, engaging in various combat operations, including strikes against Japanese shipping and reconnaissance missions. After the war, PT-487, like many other PT boats, would have been relegated to a reserve status or placed in a decommissioning process. Her appearance in the Welland Canal signified the end of her active service and marked her place in the post-war transition for smaller naval vessels.

PT-486

PT-486 was another member of the Elco-class fleet. During the war, she was part of the Pacific Theater’s island-hopping campaign, where PT boats played a crucial role in the U.S. Navy’s strategy. These boats were often engaged in night operations, where they would ambush enemy ships or provide critical support for larger naval operations. By 1945, however, the need for such boats had diminished. PT-486’s presence in the Welland Canal in October 1945 indicated that it was in the process of being either decommissioned or reassigned, like many of her sisters in the Pacific fleet.

PT-545

PT-545 was another notable vessel in this post-war collection. Like PT-487 and PT-486, PT-545 had served in the Pacific and had participated in various operations that disrupted Japanese supply lines. Her small size and speed made her a key asset during the war, but after the conflict ended, PT-545 was one of many vessels that would either be scrapped or mothballed. The boat’s docking in the Welland Canal marked a final chapter in her military service.

The Unidentified PT Boats

Alongside PT-487, PT-486, and PT-545, four additional unidentified PT boats were seen docked in the Welland Canal. These boats likely came from various squadrons that operated in the Pacific during the war. They were probably part of the larger decommissioning efforts, as the U.S. Navy sought to either retire or repurpose many of its smaller vessels in the post-war period.

The lack of identification for these boats suggests that they may have been in transit to scrap yards, or perhaps they were being stored in the canal as part of the larger effort to reduce the size of the Navy after the war. In any case, their presence alongside the known PT boats provides insight into the many vessels that were affected by the end of World War II. Thousands of warships, large and small, had to be either decommissioned, repurposed, or scrapped, and the Welland Canal may have been one of the stopping points for these now-redundant boats.

The Ore Carrier: A Silent Witness to Transition

In addition to the PT boats, an ore carrier was also present in the Welland Canal in October 1945. The presence of an ore carrier suggests that the canal was still a vital commercial route, even as the war ended. The ore carrier, likely transporting iron ore or other raw materials, was an essential part of the infrastructure that fueled post-war reconstruction efforts.

While the PT boats represented the end of a war for many of their crews, the ore carrier symbolized the shift toward peacetime industry. The carrier’s presence in the canal illustrated how the region’s transportation and shipping routes would play a critical role in rebuilding economies in the wake of the war.

Conclusion: A Moment in History

The gathering of PT boats, including PT-487, PT-486, and PT-545, in the Welland Canal in October 1945 represents a fascinating and bittersweet chapter in naval history. The boats, which had played a crucial role in the Pacific War, were now entering a new phase—one marked by decommissioning and the transition to peacetime. For the sailors who served aboard these vessels, the sight of their boats being retired or relegated to storage would have been both a source of pride and melancholy.

The Welland Canal, a vital waterway connecting two of the Great Lakes, stands as a silent witness to the end of World War II and the shifting priorities of naval power in the post-war world. The sight of these boats alongside an ore carrier marked the end of an era for small vessels like PT boats and heralded the beginning of new global dynamics, where military technology and industry would take on different roles in shaping the future.