During this patriotic time of year, it’s a good reminder to visit the veteran of three wars that is anchored in the waters of Ybor Channel next to the Florida Aquarium.
The S.S. American Victory was built in 55 days in 1945. It served near the end of World War II as well as in the Korean and Vietnam wars. It is one of only three fully-functioning Victory ships left.
The museum is open to the public every day of the week, and visitors can take a step back in time to see the close quarters of the men who lived on the ship. You can tour the outside decks and the engine room.
“Look at the detail. The macro is easy to look at, but look at the micro, the wiring, the tubing, the piping. It’s really just an amazing feat,” said Bill Kuzmick, President of the S.S. American Victory and a Navy veteran.
Kuzmick is proud that the ship is not only full-functioning, but that it is also a good neighbor. It provides space for training law enforcement and firefighters. Every few weeks, it helps the Florida Aquarium get new salt water for its tanks. A barge collects the water from the Gulf of Mexico and anchors next to the American Victory ship.
“We line up to pump that salt water into the aquarium to keep the fish happy,” said Kuzmick.
Visitors to the ship can also see where the sailors ate, the guns used to protect the ship and the radio room. “This is a radio from probably the Korea War era that we use to communicate when we’re out at sea,” Kuzmick explained.
There are also photographs,uniforms and documents that help take those who visit back in time. The S.S. American Victory is open Sundays and Mondays from noon to 5pm. Tuesday through Saturday it’s open from 10am to 5pm. It’s $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 65+, $5 for veterans, $5 for children 4-12, and free for children 3 and under.
