The Rescue of SS American Victory

By William E. Males

Throughout history there have been significant events, artworks, architectural accomplishments, charities, and other notable contributions to our society which had their humble beginnings as a mere idea of one person, which was thought through and then nurtured until it became a reality. Such is Tampa Bay’s historical treasure, the SS American Victory. It was Captain John C. Timmel who was compelled to preserve a piece of American history after he participated in convention activities on a cruise aboard the reconditioned Liberty ship, SS John W. Brown back in October 1996.

Captain John C. Timmel is a graduate of State University of New York Maritime School at Fort Schuyler and also a Tampa Bay harbor pilot. It was when he attended a Propeller Club convention in Baltimore, Maryland, on an evening cruise aboard the reconditioned Liberty ship, that he began nurturing an idea about the possibility of bringing a similar ship back home to Tampa. Just a little over a year later Captain Timmel learned through a Captain of the United States Coast Guard Captain of the Port of Tampa, Captain Brian Basel, that several of the old Victory ships were earmarked for scarp if they too were not acquired for memorial purposes.

This news excited Captain Timmel as he further considered the prospect of bringing one of the old Victory ships down to Tampa for use as a museum. Now the original idea had found the necessary fuel for realization as Captain Timmel began his personal study of the logistics and determined that the rescue of an old Victory ship was worthy of his efforts and that such a ship would serve the Tampa Bay area well as a memorial ship and museum.

Now we all know there is nothing as convincing as a salesman who believes in his wares, and such was Captain Timmel as he encouraged Charles A. Harden, a Tampa-based marine surveyor, to visit the reserve fleets in the James River and the Beaumont River in Texas to survey the available ships. After their determining that the SS American Victory was the preferred vessel to be acquired for memorial purposes they began their campaign. The idea was full of fuel and the props were turning as Captain Timmel and Charles Harden were able to rally significant support from the locals in Tampa for bringing home to Tampa Bay Port the SS American Victory for a mariner’s memorial and museum vessel. Finally, the idea had its first foothold in reality as the Victory Ship, Inc was officially formed in August of 1998.

Within the span of less than three months Captain Timmel and The Victory Ship, Inc. had received title conveyance legislation for the SS American Victory, the final legislative action of the 105th Congress. Almost six months later MARAD approved the title transfer. With the title transfer complete, the task of moving the SS American Victory to her new home was the next hurdle to clear. This was not going to be a simple “turn of the key and we're on our way,” for she had been dormant now for fourteen years in the James River Reserve Fleet. Her hull was incrusted with barnacles and other marine growth and her engines in need of serious attention.

The task was given to Gulf Coast Transit to tow the SS American Victory from the James River Reserve Fleet to Tampa. Under the able command of Captain Mike Egan, Captain of the tugboat Sharon DeHart, the SS American Victory left her anchorage amongst the other ships at James River Reserve Fleet and began her journey back to a new place in history to serve as a reminder of cost and dedication of men in the past in service to their country. The SS American Victory was well underway toward her new purpose as a memorial and museum.

It is only proper to give recognition to some of those mariners who worked hard to make this idea a reality as together they sailed on the SS American Victory during the tow to Tampa. On board was Capt. Roger Johnson, Capt. Art Whiting, Bob Greenbaum, Jim Schaut, Charles Harden and his son Chuck. This courageous delivery crew was in store for more than they knew when they left the James River, for as they made preparations for their departure Hurricane Dennis was trying to make up his mind as to where he was headed as well.

Sure enough, Hurricane Dennis proved to be a worthy opposition as he moved slowly and unpredictably. The tugboat Sharon DeHart was trying to head north along the South Carolina border to her precious cargo, but her trip had to be delayed as those aboard the SS American Victory began to experience over 55 mile per hour winds. Dennis was successfully creating a delay for everyone’s hope for an early September arrival in Tampa Bay.

Finally, on September 9, 1999, the tug Sharon DeHart was under way with the SS American Victory in tow and reported her position just 23 nautical miles south southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. With the wind blowing southerly and seas running in a favorable southeasterly direction the tug Sharon DeHart Captain reported that the SS American Victory was towing favorably and sea were a mere 3-5 foot swells.

By the following day the Sharon DeHart reported their position 70 nautical miles east northeast of Charleston, South Carolina. With a headway of 7.8 knots, with winds now westerly at 15 knots and seas running in a southerly direction with 7-10 foot seas off of Cape Fear throughout the night. Still the riding crew on board SS American Victory reported all was well.

Three days later on September 13, 1999 the Captain of the Sharon DeHart reports a headway of only 8 knots with winds northeasterly at 15 knots and gusty with seas running in a northeasterly direction with 3-5 foot swells. Now just 10 nautical miles south of Marathon, Florida, abeam of the Florid Keys, the crew faced a new threat from Hurricane Floyd who was sitting on the west coast of Florida and the Tampa Bay area. It was decided best to change course and the tug Sharon DeHart with the SS American Victory in tow headed westerly towards the Dry Tortugas to avoid the hurricane.

Nonetheless, the two ships together proved to be quite the attraction at sea with many commercial vessels recognizing the Victory merchant ship and requesting information about her final destination and Tampa’s plans for the SS American Victory. Already, like a moving billboard at sea, she was drawing the attention and crowds as several sport fishermen circled the SS American Victory for a closer look. Meanwhile, the riding crew onboard the SS American Victory received some much appreciated fresh provisions by boat near Key West and reported a hearty all is well.

The next day tug Sharon DeHart reported their position 100 nm west of Habana with winds at 20 kts and gusty from the north northeast with 5-8 feet seas. Maintaining a westerly course they reduced speed to wait out Hurricane Floyd. Should the hurricane worsen Capt. Egan planed to head south towards Cuba. Nevertheless, they are hopeful that Hurricane Floyd would turn north and Capt Egan could head for Tampa Bay with Friday the 17th being the arrival date.

The next day, just 127 nautical miles west of Key West, Florida, the tugboat Sharon DeHart was making 6.5 knots in winds northerly at 25 knots and gusty with northerly seas with 6-10 foot swells. Tug Captain Mike Egan reports that the SS American Victory crew is doing well and on the final leg of their journey. Since leaving the James River Reserve Fleet seven days ago they successfully dodged the two hurricanes, Dennis and Floyd. Next stop, Tampa Bay.

Things were looking up and the weather conditions were now favorable with Hurricane Floyd no more a menace. The tug Sharon DeHart with the SS American Victory were headed due north with an anticipated Thursday, September 16 arrival to the entrance to Tampa Bay at 12 Noon. With the announcement of their estimated arrival time excitement swept Tampa Bay and a fleet of private boat owners started making plans to welcome the SS American Victory to her new home.

Finally, on Thursday September 16, 1999, Captain Egan of the Sharon DeHart announces the tug and ship will be at the Tampa sea buoy by 1200 and will pass under the skyway bridge around 1500. By the time the tug Sharon DeHart with the SS American Victory arrives they are greeted with a host of boats and ships eagerly waiting. A flotilla of private boat owners, tugs, fire boats and the watchful eyes of media helicopters recorded a proud moment for everyone involved.

Just seven hours after making the Tampa Bay Sea Buoy, the SS American Victory was docked at her temporary berth at Tampa Bay Shipbuilding & Repair, where hundreds of supporters celebrated her arrival. Victory at Last! In less than one year after title transfer, the SS American Victory made her grand and triumphant arrival to her new home at Tampa Bay Port.

To be continued . . .