Here in Tampa, Florida's Channel District the SS American Victory is preserved as the main feature of the American Victory Ship & Museum. Built at the California Shipbuilding Yard in Los Angeles and launched after just 55 days, she was completed in June 1945 and entered service in the final months of World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. On her voyages she carried ammunition and other cargo from Los Angeles to Southeast Asia and then ferried cargo, equipment and troops back to the United States after the war ended.
She survived two typhoons and one hurricane. Between 1946 and 1966 she spent part of the time chartered to commercial carriers and part of the time in two stints in U.S. reserve fleets. From 1951 to 1954 she served in the Korean War.
From 1966 to 1969 she delivered cargo to Southeast Asia in the Vietnam War, then spent three decades again in reserve. In April 1999 she was turned over to a preservation organization to serve as a museum ship. The lines of the hull, the museum signage, and the Channel District stretch out for you to explore.