Many people believe that the S.S. Lane Victory ship was named to honor Dr. Isaac Lane; however in reality, the ship was named for Lane College in Jackson, Tennessee, which was named after Dr. Lane. All of the Victory Ships constructed during WWII were only named after other member countries of the United Nations, cities and town of the United States, and American colleges and universities.
The
S.S. Lane Victory was constructed in Los Angeles in 1945 and assigned to the
American President Lines, which was operated by the Merchant Mariners. During
WWII, the US Navy did not move cargo - they only fought battles. All cargo was
moved by the civilian Merchant Mariners. Because the Merchant Mariners were civilians and could
not use weapons, the U.S. Navy Armed Guard from WWI was reactivated and
assigned to the Victory ships to operate the ship’s guns and protect the crew
and cargo. The Armed Guard also worked as signalmen and radiomen.
The
S.S. Lane Victory only made two Pacific crossings before the war ended and then the ship was decommissioned (mothballed) in 1947.
In
1950, the S.S. Lane Victory was recommissioned and served in the Korean Police Action for
three years, and then the ship was decommissioned again in 1953.
In
1966, the S.S. Lane Victory was recommissioned and served in the Viet Nam Conflict
for four years, and then decommissioned for the final time in June of 1970.
The S.S. Lane Victory is one of the few surviving Victory ships in the world, so on
October 18, 1988 President Ronald Reagan conveyed the S.S. Lane Victory to the
United States Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II to be used as a museum
ship. In 1989 the ship was towed from Suisun Bay (near San Francisco), where it had been mothballed,
to the Port of Los Angeles for refitting and restoration.
The S.S. Lane is now open to the public for self-guided tours, excluding the engine room and a few other restricted areas. Two of the cargo holds have been converted to museums and contain everything from Jeeps to underwater mines. The ship was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
The S.S. Lane is now open to the public for self-guided tours, excluding the engine room and a few other restricted areas. Two of the cargo holds have been converted to museums and contain everything from Jeeps to underwater mines. The ship was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991.
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
(Picture by Kolohe)
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