USS American Victory

USS American Victory - Part 2

Welcome back and glad you could continue the tour. Again, we are on board the USS American Victory, one of 4 operational World War II ships docked in St. Petersburg Florida.

The next series of pictures are the bridge area, and navigation rooms.

The ship has been fitted with newer radar equipment for safety purposes, but is still pretty much as it was when built in 1945.

Navigation room, directly behind the bridge, or where the steering wheel is.

Table where that laid the maps.

View from the bridge.

Manual transmission.

Neat little table area in the corner.

The steering wheel, or whatever they call it.

Compass

Outside off the bridge we spotted this wheel as well. I guess they could use this one if they wanted a little sun and fresh air.

Booms for loading cargo. While we were walking this ship, the Legend was honking its horn every 15 minutes and you could hear the loud speaker system tell everyone to go to their spot to hear about their lifeboat assignment should they sink.

A lifeboat that I personally wouldn't want to use.

I don't trust boats with holes in them.

First Mate Drew mid ship.

Forward gun.

Looking down at the bow.

First Mate Drew lining up his target.

This was fun till he started to give me demerits for not saluting.

Nice tour, neat ship and, again, I just may try to board her for the Fall sail which is in November, I think.

By the way, this ship is run and manned by Navy vets.

It was a navy veteran group that was able to buy her, renovate her and keep her here in St. Pete.

One of several Victory ships due to be scrapped, she was rescued in October 1998 for preservation as a museum ship and memorial. She arrived under tow at Tampa on 16 September 1999 where she is now on display and included on the National Register of Historic Places.

I found this picture to be pretty cool. The flag and rear gun epitomizes the Greatest Generation's mobilization in World War II. The tour is over, and so glad I saw that gray ship behind the Aquarium. It is not well advertised and is a great addition to the Tampa Bay dock area.

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