Editing PT boat (section)

====Background====
In March 1941, during a heavy weather run from [[Key West]] to New York by Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2 (MTBRON&nbsp;2), Elco 70-footers pounded heavily in {{convert|8|to|10|ft|m|adj=on}} waves even at moderate speeds, and seas continuously broke high over the bows. Operating personnel reported extreme discomfort and fatigue. All boats suffered from some sort of structural failure: forward chine guards ripped away, bottom framing under bows broken, side planking cracked [indicating lack of longitudinal strength], and other weaknesses were reported. In April MTBRON&nbsp;1 reported enthusiasm over the 81-foot Higgins (''PT-6''), and with the ''PT-6'' showing such good seakeeping, further purchase of Scott-Paine boats was unnecessary. In early 1941 the [[U.S. Navy Bureau of Ships]] lent Packard engines to both Huckins and Higgins, which wanted to build competitive boats at their own expense.

A Chief of Naval Operations PT Boat Conference convened in May 1941 to discuss future PT characteristics. All PTs prior to the {{convert|77|ft|abbr=on}} Elcos had been found defective, and it was probable the extended {{convert|70|ft|abbr=on}} Elco would not be an improvement. The conference recommended a series of comparative tests to evaluate what turned out to be five new designs of motor torpedo boats. The conference strongly recommended that no more Elco 77-footers be ordered until the tests had shown that they were indeed satisfactory.<ref>The Chief of Naval Operations,''Report of Conference on Motor Torpedo Boats'', Op-23D-KM, PT/S1(410414)Serial 181923 (Navy Department, 17 June 1941)</ref>