The Wandering Disciple

A 3-inch 50-caliber cannon helps protect the cargo of the American Victory, a merchant marine vessel that now serves as a museum ship docked at the Port of Tampa. The SS American Victory saw service in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Today the ship is a museum ship and visitors can tour the ship and see exhibits that highlight the ships service and history. The American Victory is one of 534 Victory-class ships built and only one of four that still sail. (Photo: May 30, 2020)

A side mount cannon is just on of the defense mechanisms for the SS American Victory, a World War II era merchant marine ship. The American Victory transported weapons, goods and sometimes troops for the US military during World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. To protect the freight, the American Victory was equipped with eight 20mm caliber guns, one 3-inch 50 caliber gun and one 5-inch 38 caliber gun. You can see some of the weaponry and tour the American Victory in port at the Port of Tampa. (Photo: May 30, 2020)

Tampa, Florida: Nestled between the cruise ships in the Port of Tampa sits a historic vessel, the SS American Victory. One of only four remaining operational World War II vessels, the American Victory has seen action in three wars and while her naval service is over, she continues to serve by telling the story of the merchant marines The American Victory was a Victory class ship with a long history. She was built in 1945 at the California Shipbuilding Yard and was named after the American University in Washington DC. The 455 feet long, 10,750 ton ship took just 55 days to build. The shop served in World War II running military cargo into the Pacific theater. She also ferried equipment to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Between military engagements, the ship was in the reserve fleet and was even used at one point as an ice breaker in the Black Sea. The American Victory served the nation proudly from 1951 through 1969 before going into reserve storage in the James Rive...