Today the American Victory Ship Mariners Memorial Museum is an educational vehicle, whisking adults and children back into the 1940s. Built in the closing days of World War II and deployed to the Pacific, the ship, named for American University, shuttled troops and supplies across the ocean. Stand on the deck and think of the hurricane and typhoons that it sailed through. Imagine the round-the-world journey that this surprisingly small boat undertook twice.
Come on deck, where you’ll experience the very gentle rocking of Hillsborough Bay. Pick up a printed guide and set out on a self-guided tour, investigating nearly every part of the ship. Squeeze through narrow gaps and up steep staircases, imagining the chaos and close quarters experienced by sailors aboard the ship when it was fully operational.
Peek into the captain’s quarters and the galley cold storage, which have been refurnished with period memorabilia providing a real sense of what the ship may have looked like historically. See its more up-to-date equipment on the command deck, where modern radar has been installed to help the ship navigate its cruises of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico twice a year. For a grand finale, explore the museum in one of the cargo holds, where numerous ship models and a real U-boat propeller are on display.
The museum is moored at the entrance to the Ybor Channel, next to the Florida Aquarium in Downtown Tampa. Drive here in 18 minutes from Tampa International Airport or arrive in an hour by public transportation. Walk from Union Station in 17 minutes or use the streetcar stop on the adjacent street.
Find the American Victory Ship Mariners Memorial Museum along the Riverwalk, which has bike rentals available for navigating the area. Visit the ship all week long, during regular business hours from Tuesday to Saturday and on Sunday and Monday afternoons. Book guided tours online ahead of time.
