American Victory To Cruise
SS AMERICAN VICTORY SALUTES MARINERS, VETERANS and ACTIVE MILITARY DURING NOVEMBER 8 CRUISE. FREE ADMISSION TO VETS ON NOVEMBER 9.
The SS American Victory is the only restored merchant cargo vessel of its class on the East Coast and the only museum ship in the Southeast U.S. able to steam under her own power.
And steam she will on her ‘Salute to Veterans’ Cruise on Saturday, November 8, 2008. Special ceremonies during the cruise on Tampa Bay will recognize America’s past and present merchant mariners and honor veterans and active duty military of all services.
A ship of the famous Victory Class of cargo vessel built in 1945, the American Victory is herself a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, carrying ‘guns, gear, grub and gas’ to GIs. Since 2000, restoration tours, cruises, youth maritime education and other programs have allowed thousands of visitors to view the restoration of the vessel into a mariners’ museum and cruising ship.
The American Victory is one of only three of 534 Victory Class cargo vessels built between 1944 and mid-1946 that have been restored or under restoration. Victory Class vessels replaced the venerable Liberty ships and were significantly faster (17 knots vs. 11), allowing Victorys to sail on their own instead of in convoys and were fitted with improved navigation equipment.
Since she arrived in Tampa in September, 1999, American Victory volunteers have invested over 110,000 hours to restore, maintain and operate the vessel; more than $3.5 million in cash and in-kind services have been donated for the restoration. The ship receives no public support.
On the ‘Salute to Veterans’ cruise, passengers will step back in time aboard this 63-year old ship and witness heart-pounding vintage aircraft flyovers, and touching memorial and burial at sea services. In addition, historical personage presentations, tours, demos of weaponry and Morse code are on tap, along with entertainment and more.
Health professionals from Tampa’s Moffitt Cancer Center will also be aboard to provide free skin cancer screenings during the cruise.
Cruise tickets are $125 per person and include a continental breakfast and box lunch. Tickets are available by calling (813) 228-8766, online at www.americanvictory.org, or by visiting the ship. Boarding begins at 8:00 AM; departure at 9:00 AM and return at 3:30 PM.
The restored World War II merchant cargo vessel berthed in Tampa’s Channel District departs from behind the Florida Aquarium at 705 Channelside Drive. Parking is available in the Florida Aquarium Parking Lot or the Port Authority Parking Garage.
On Sunday, November 9, in honor of Veterans Day on November 11, the American Victory will offer free admission to veterans of all wars and to activity military (with ID) for self-guided tours of the ship and museum.
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