This Rare WWII Victory Ship Survived 3 Wars Before Becoming Tampa’s Floating Museum

SS American Victory Museum in Tampa, FL

Among Tampa’s modern boats sits a true survivor. The SS American Victory carried supplies through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Now this tough old ship does double duty as both museum and working vessel.

Here are some interesting facts about this mighty warship.

One of a Few Rare Ships

The SS American Victory belongs to a very tiny club as one of just four World War II ships in the whole USA that can still sail.

The American Victory still takes short trips around Tampa Bay now and then, so you can feel the real deal of a WWII ship in motion.

From Draft to Done in Just 55 Days

This big boat got built super fast at the California Shipbuilding Yard, with workers putting it all together in less than two months before its May 24, 1945 launch.

Back in 1944, workers cranked out 531 ships just like it, with 414 being cargo ships meant to help win the war.

The American Victory came from the “Victory class” of ships, made to zip through the water faster than older cargo ships so they could keep up with other ships and dodge German subs.

Your Local College Might Share Its Name

When most war ships got names of big battles or heroes, the folks who built the American Victory went a whole other way.

They named it after American University in D.C. Out of 531 ships built around that time, 150 got named for schools and colleges across the USA.

After the first ship (SS United Victory), they named the next 34 for ally nations who fought with the US, then moved on to name others after cities and places.

The Ship Worked Through Three Big Wars

The American Victory took part in the tail end of World War II, then got called back for both the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

In March 1953, it had the sad job of bringing home 370 fallen soldiers from Korea.

Later, during the Vietnam days, it moved war gear to South Vietnam under the Military Sealift Transport Service.

One of its trips in 1966 started in Mobile, Alabama and wound through New Orleans and California before heading to Cam Ranh Bay and Qui Nhon in South Vietnam.

Watch How It Smashed Through Ice Like a Boss

During one wild trip in January 1947, the American Victory needed to leave Odesa, Ukraine but found the Black Sea frozen solid. Did they wait for help? Nope.

Captain A.D. Cushman got clever instead. He backed up the ship and then rammed it right into the ice, carving a path for his ship and others to make their way out.

This quick move let them get back to Boston without having to wait for the Soviet icebreaker.

It Made It Through Killer Storms That Sank Other Ships

Mother Nature threw her worst at this tough boat, but it lived through two huge sea storms and one major land storm.

In 1967, it got caught in a big storm in the Philippine Sea that flooded parts of the ship and sparked a fire.

They fixed it up and it kept on working until the Vietnam War ended. Its solid build and crew skill meant it could push through just about any bad weather.

Walk All Nine Decks From Top to Bottom

You’ll get your steps in as you check out all nine decks of this 455-foot cargo ship.

The tour takes you through three huge cargo holds, the sick bay, kitchen, gun spots, wheel rooms, bridge, signal gear, mess halls, engine room, crew rooms, and the lifeboats that would save them in a jam.

Listen for the ship’s old-time radio call sign: Kilo-Kilo-Uniform-India, which it used when sailing the seas.

Take a Peek at Rare Sea Items From Past Wars

As you move through the ship, you’ll spot rare items, old clothes, medals, papers, and photos from when the ship fought in wars.

You can even hear real tales from former sailors on videos played in some spots on the ship.

Many folks say they love the 1940s music that plays as you walk around. It really helps you feel what life was like for the men who sailed her through danger.

Touch a Piece From a Nazi Sub They Fought Against

Specifically, a real submarine part from the German sub U-352, sunk in May 1942 by the U.S. Coast Guard and found many years later in 1979.

Near it, you’ll spot wreck photos, a model of a German sailor in full gear, and plans of the feared German sub U-505.

Almost Got Cut Up for Scrap Metal in the 1990s

It was almost cut up and sold as scrap metal in the late 1990s. Then in 1996, a Tampa Bay harbor boss named Captain John C. Timmel found out about its fate and jumped into action.

He pulled together “The Victory Ship, Inc.” in August 1998 to save it from the junk heap. The group snagged the ship from the James River where it sat unused and towed it all the way to its Tampa home.

It Helped Fix Europe After The War Ended

When World War II wrapped up, the American Victory found a new job – it helped rebuild a broken Europe as part of the huge Marshall Plan.

From June 1946 to November 1947, it moved food and tools from the U.S. to ports in Italy, Romania, Greece, and Belgium.

American Export Lines ran it during this time to bring U.S. goods to Europe and Russia. After this big job, it took a break in the Hudson River until the Korean War called it back to work.

Go Inside Spots Few Ever Get To See

Your tour lets you walk through spots that few folks ever see, like the crew rooms, food areas, cargo holds, bridge, radio room, sick bay, and food stores.

All these areas now look just like they did back in the 1940s, filled with real items from when the ship worked in wars.

Some spots, like the lower part of the engine room, you’ll view from safe paths above. The ship also hosts big Tampa events, like Fourth of July and Veterans’ Day, where you can catch the city’s best boat shows.

Drop By Any Time Without Making Plans Ahead

You don’t need to plan weeks ahead to visit – just show up and take a self-led tour with a map that helps you see the whole ship at your own pace.

For tech fans, scan the QR codes all over the boat to learn more with your phone.

The ship has clear paths set up so you won’t get lost on your walk. Plus, it sits in Tampa’s Water Street area, right behind the Florida Sea Life place, so you can find it with no fuss.