engine room (which is visible from a catwalk). Most of the ship's spaces are open, such as officer, crew, and gunners quarters, galley and crew mess, three forward holds, wheelhouse and chartroom, radio room, hospital, and food cold storage, have been restored and are decorated in original period memorabilia. American Victory has been upgraded with modern VHF radio and radar (visible on the bridge deck) and other modern electronics have been added to the electricians' quarters and radio room. American Victory is generally historic form, with her bow-mounted deck gun in a reconstructed gun tub, as well as the stern gun plus an additional 3-inch gun next to it. American Victory is a fully operational, seaworthy vessel. With considerable preparation, she can cruise in Tampa Bay, and the next cruise is planned for 2023. The U.S. Coast Guard performs a safety inspection of the ship twice per year, she would not be open to the public without passing. Of the 534 Victory ships completed, only three are open to the public: American Victory at Tampa, at Los Angeles, and at Richmond, California. Exhibits The ship has many notable exhibits in the No.3 cargo hold, which was converted to a museum exhibit area and receptionist desk. It includes an original submarine propeller from the , sunk in May 1942, by the U.S. Coast Guard cutter , and recovered in 1979. It includes photos of the shipwreck, a mannequin of a Kriegsmarine sailor in uniform, and a diagram of . She also has numerous ship models, including a , a , and a German Type VII U-boat. There are also numerous vintage Merchant Marine recruiting posters, and a collection of Victory and Liberty ship's plaques, all of them sunk or scrapped. There is also a mock-up of the ships wheelhouse, and a lifeboat and Maritime Signal Flag exhibit. Ship awards Victory Medal Pacific War Zone Bar Philippine Liberation Ribbon Korean Service Ribbon Vietnam Service Ribbon See also , a similar VC2-S-AP2 Victory ship conversion into a dedicated troopship References External links SS American Victory - official website World War II merchant ships of the United States Museum ships in Florida American University National Register of Historic Places in Tampa, Florida Museums in Tampa, Florida Ships on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida Ships built in Los Angeles Victory ships 1945 ships Ships of American Export-Isbrandtsen Lines World War II on