SS Red Oak Victory, Museum ship in Richmond, United States.
The SS Red Oak Victory is a Victory-class cargo vessel measuring about 139 meters long, docked at Shipyard 3, with multiple decks open to visitors. Naval artillery and the ship's original fittings are visible throughout the interior, offering a glimpse into wartime maritime operations.
Built in 1944 at Kaiser Shipyard 1, this cargo vessel transported ammunition across the Pacific during World War II combat operations. After the war, the ship was preserved and eventually converted into a floating museum to commemorate the nation's industrial and military efforts.
The ship carries the name of Red Oak, Iowa, honoring a small town that suffered the highest number of military deaths per capita among American communities during World War II. This connection reflects how individual communities were woven into the nation's wartime story.
The vessel can typically be visited on weekends, and guests should be prepared for stairs and narrow passages throughout the ship. Comfortable footwear is recommended, and visitors should allow adequate time to explore the multiple levels at their own pace.
This is the last surviving ship from approximately 747 vessels built at Richmond Kaiser Shipyards during World War II. The rarity of this single vessel remaining from that era of massive industrial production makes it an invaluable window into wartime manufacturing at scale.
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