Our purpose is to preserve the spirit of comradeship among the American Merchant Marine Veterans, and of our fellow seamen who served in the Merchant Marine Fleets of the Nations allied with the United States in World War II. And, to perpetuate the memory of our dead and to assist their widows and help worthy
comrades.
The American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship will memorialize all mariners, who built, sailed and defended America’s merchant fleet. The ship will provide a first-class, hands-on maritime educational experience for visitors of all ages, from schoolchildren to veterans who served aboard these vessels, and depict life aboard merchant ships. The ship will also serve as a training vessel for the Tampa Bay maritime workforce and provide a state-of-the-art facility for veterans reunions, meetings, receptions, special events and upscale dining.
The SS American Victory will be the only museum ship of its type in the southeast U.S. The ship joins one other Victory and two Liberty ships which have been restored and operating as museums and memorials, including the SS Lane Victory in Los Angeles, the SS John W. Brown in Baltimore, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien in San Francisco.