Tampa Bay Hidden Treasures
 People, Places, Art, Businesses, Products, Organizations, History, Trails, Nature, Museums, Towns and Fun Places ​​
Treasure List

American Victory Ship - Tampa

7/17/2018

 
Picture
One of Tampa’s local treasures is also a national treasure that connects us to the past. When the Navy cargo ship American Victory was sitting in Virginia destined for the scrapyard, Captain John C. Timmel arranged for its rescue to live on as a floating museum. One of only three WWII-era Victory-model ships still fully operational, it is open most days of the week for self-guided tours. Not only does it connect us to the past and provide educational benefit, but it serves as a reminder of the efforts of those that kept American soldiers fed, armed, and equipped in Europe, the Pacific, Korea, and Vietnam.

I went to see it and my first impression was that it looks like the game pieces in the Axis-and-Allies board game – only bigger. Once up top, I was surprised how many floors it had. One can see across the channel or look down at the kids playing in the water park nearby. I wandered around the deck, seeing the giant anchor and big guns. Inside I saw the kitchen and insulated food storage. Somewhere a radio played 1940’s-era music. At first I thought that there seemed to be a lot of toilets and showers, but now I think it appropriate based on how many beds there were. My guess would be one bathroom per eight beds. I didn’t count. I suppose when one is on a ship, one doesn’t need to worry about running out of water. Another thing I noticed was that the deck seemed rather smooth and slick. I can only imagine what it would be like rolling back and forth in a storm once it gets a little bit of water on it. It seems like a safety hazard. Is this normal on ships? I should have called ahead to schedule a guide to ask questions (yes, you can do that). Down below there is a collection of various model ships, artifacts, and information placards. I saw giant bullets and shells taller than most children. Wow.

A history of the ship can be found on the website, including the tale of how American Victory broke up sea ice for other ships while leaving a Soviet port despite not being designed for it.

To get to American Victory, take Channelside Avenue in Tampa to the rotary and turn into the entrance for the Florida Aquarium. At the stop sign, take a right and head for the water. Free parking is just around the corner.

705 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida
AmericanVictory.org

Written by Daniel Noe, WayOutLife.com

Comments are closed.

    Hidden Treasures

    Treasure List

    Town List

    All
    Apollo Beach
    Balm
    Bradenton
    Brandon
    Clearwater
    Dunedin
    Gibsonton
    Largo
    Lithia
    Lutz
    New Port Richey
    Palmetto
    Palm Harbor
    Parrish
    Riverview
    Ruskin
    Safety Harbor
    Sarasota
    St Petersburg
    Sun City Center
    Tampa
    Tarpon Springs
    Thonotosassa
    Wimauma
    Zephyrhills

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

TOWNS

​​Town List

Company

About
Write 

Support

Contact
FAQ
Terms of Use
© COPYRIGHT 2015 - 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.