American Victory Ship

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Time: 5:30 PM

Cost: $10 Members, $15 Non-Members Make checks payable to IEEE FWCS and mail a check in advance to IEEE PE/IA Chapter Treasurer: John Stankowich, 2593 Forest Run Court, Clearwater, FL 33761-3716. Speakers: Bill Kuzmick, Museum Director Location: 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602,

 Behind the Florida Aquarium Parking: Free, on the pier alongside the ship. As you go around the traffic circle in front of the aquarium take the first right turn after the aquarium and follow the signs to the Victory Ship. RSVP: Online at: http://time2meet.com/fwcs-pes4/index.html Space limited to the first 20 registrants!!! Questions: John Luce at 813-925-3487 or jwluce@ieee.org During World War II, most of the supplies for our armed forces were carried by 2710 Liberty class ships and 534 Victory class ships. These were merchant ships operated by the merchant marine although they carried a small contingent of Navy men to man the guns. The merchant marine suffered a higher percentage of casualties than any of the armed forces. The 11 knot Liberty ships were slow and vulnerable to submarine attack and the later Victory ships, though about the same capacity were 50% faster and comparatively few were lost to submarines. The American Victory is 455 feet long, displaces 15,200 tons and carries fuel for 24,000 miles. Her propulsion is a 6000 horsepower cross compound condensing steam turbine. (The Liberty ships had a 2500 horsepower triple expansion reciprocating engine.) Her electrical system is 110 / 220 volts DC. The motor controls are all resistive. Now that she is moored as a museum, AC shore power has been added, but the original DC system is largely intact. She is still maintained in sailing condition. Many of the Victory ships were named for Universities and this one was named for American University in Washington, D.C. This tour will include the engine room and we will be going into hazardous areas not open to the general public. There are no ramps or elevators, the ladders (stairways) are very steep and there will be a lot of climbing. Wear secure shoes, preferably with rubber soles. Cameras are permitted but keep both hands free for the handrails on the ladders