National Museum of the U.S. Navy

Merchant Ships:  Victory

Victory ships replaced the smaller Liberty ships.   These ships enabled the convoys to travel at higher speeds, making them difficult targets for German U-boats.   The first vessel was SS United Victory and was launched at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation on January 12, 1944.   Upon the war's end, many of the Victory ships brought servicemen home during Operation Magic Carpet.   There are three Victory ships open as museum ships:  SS American Victory; SS Lane Victory; and SS Red Oak Victory.