Support Still Needed as of 1/20/20 |
| Photos and recruiting posters by the War Shipping Administration 1941-1946 |
PROJECT LIBERTY SHIP
American Admiralty Books Safety & Privacy Policies EU VISITORS WARNING POSSIBLE COOKIES AHEAD
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Liberty Ships were built in a week and weren't much to look at. They were simple, cheap, and expendable. The design was "break bulk", ( capable of handling cargoes of individual bundles, bales, pallets, sacks, or boxes) cargo carriers put together, launched , loaded and off to the war zone carrying the necessary :bullets and beans" that kept the allied armies in the face of the Axis and the Imperial Japanese. The pace of construction was amazing, about two weeks from laying the keel to passing the sea buoy outbound. .Perhaps because of their simplicity they were around long after the war carrying cargo for commercial ship operators under many flags.
Today there are only two left in their original configuration and in sailing condition. One on the Atlantic Coast and one on the Pacific Coast of the United States . Of these ships only the SS John W. Brown and the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, in the United States are preserved in their original war time configuration and remain operational. One additional liberty ship is a static museum in Greece, and at least one is still operating in commercial operations though much modified from its WWII configuration. Many of these ships were lost to U Boats and many American Merchant Mariners went down with them.
The survivors were instrumental in the preservation efforts of the two remaining war configured operational ships. But most of the survivors are gone now, the youngest are about 90+.
If the lessons of these two living history operational museum ships are to be preserved new generations will have to step forward to continue the care , operation, and maintenance of these ships. Thankfully they have. Both ships have Coast Guard licensed and certified volunteer officers and crew. There are volunteer maintainers working daily on these ships. Unfortunately as the ships continue to age the costs of maintaining them, especially in operable condition grows. How ever a ship, like most structures can survive centuries with proper care. Witness the oldest commissioned ship in the U.S. Navy, the USS CONSTITUTION.
We want to direct your attention to one of these ships with an acute and immediate need. The SS John W. Brown is in need of dry docking at the end of the year, The cost is estimated at $1.5 million. If you happen to have a spare $1.5 million please click on this link http://www.liberty-ship.com/ then click on the "DONATIONS " tab for full instruction on how to get that money into the hands of the ships guardians. If you're a little short of a spare $1.5 million but would like to donate a lesser amount please follow the same directions. Any amount is appreciated. You may rest assured that any amount you contribute goes to the upkeep, operation, and continuing restoration of the ship. Here is an example of Project Liberty Ship's efficiency: PROJECT LIBERTY SHIP SINCE INCEPTION: O Wages Paid 29 U.S. and Canadian Ports Visited 98 Living History Cruises 23, 654 miles steamed 1,719,179 hours of labor contributed
If you would like to help out on a permanent basis at far less than the $1.5 million level please consider membership in the organization:
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