A New Mission for a Historic Ship |
|||||||
When first discovered in the James River Reserve Fleet in 1998, the World War II Victory Ship SS American Victory had a bleak future. Though the ship had served her country honorably during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, and had helped people the world over by carrying humanitarian aid when the wars ended, she was approaching obsolescence and the scrapper's torch. This would be an ignominious end for a ship with such an important story to tell. But a dedicated group of volunteers led by Captain John Timmel of Tampa saw the ship for what she is, a symbol of one of the most dramatic periods in American history - and determined to save her. The people who designed, built, managed, sailed, and defended the Liberty and Victory ships of World War II did nothing less than support the military, naval, and civilian establishments of the Allied nations throughout the conflict. After the war, these same ships ferried humanitarian supplies to Allies and former enemies alike on a scale never before attempted or achieved. In short, the humble cargo ship was the unsung hero of the international wars against Fascism and Communism. The direct connection of the American Victory and ships like her to the Tampa Bay region is strong. Tampa shipbuilders created hundreds of merchant ships that were manned by mariners trained at St. Petersburg's U.S. Maritime Service school (now the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg). Merchant ships carried the products of Florida agriculture and manufacturing to destinations worldwide. Many ships were torpedoed by German submarines within sight of the Florida coast. An incredible number of the women and men who built, loaded, defended, and sailed these ships still reside in the region. Generations of American merchant mariners learned their profession aboard World War II Victory ships. Based on the extraordinary history she represented, the American Victory was acquired from the U.S. Maritime Administration and arrived at her Channelside dock behind the Florida Aquarium to begin a new career as a non-profit educational museum. Volunteers began restoration and in 2001 the ship opened for visitors. Another milestone was reached on March 6, 2003, when the ship sailed for the first time under her own power, preparing the way for monthly six-hour ReLive History Cruises on Tampa Bay, scheduled to begin later this year. To date, over 75,000 volunteer hours have been invested in the project. With the ship nearly operational, the next major goal is establishing formal educational programs that will bring her history to life for bay area children. A grant from the Tampabased Saunders Foundation is funding development of the programs. New programs will include special tours, hands-on outreach programs, and a team-building overnight encampment. With thousands of WWII veterans dying daily, our goal is to keep their memory alive, while giving kids a chance to learn from those still with us by introducing them to the men and women who served aboard these vessels. The American Victory also will be reaching out to audiences statewide. The ship will eventually sail to other Florida ports, making it one of the few educational facilities nationwide that travels to its audience, rather than relying on its audience to come to it. Thanks to the close ties we've developed with a variety of educational and service institutions, modern merchant mariners and Naval Reservists now train aboard the ship. And a growing number of scouting troops, Naval Sea Cadets, and other youth groups are volunteering their time to help restore and reactivate her. Due to its close connection to Tampa Bay history and its potential to reach audiences statewide, organizers are now mounting a campaign to have American Victory designated Florida's Official Flagship. Designation would require action by the Florida legislature and the approval of Governor Jeb Bush. Supporters are urged to contact the governor and their state legislators. With its illustrious past and current initiatives, the American Victory has a bright and colorful future as the primary historical steward of Tampa Bay's maritime community. Dr. Jay Martin is executive director of the American Victory Mariners Memorial and Museum Ship. A 21-year veteran of museums, he holds a Ph.D. in maritime and environmental history. Martin previously served as director of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum. Call 813-228-8766 for further details or go online at www.americanvictory.org |
|||||||
|
|||||||
