storm brought with it up to three feet of snow, through which the survivors had to make their way after having been brought ashore, many of them bare foot. The Park Victory sinking was the first exposure of the Utö pilot and lighthouse crew community to contemporary American culture. The interracial relations on Park Victory shocked them and sparked legends that were shared for decades. The 38 survivors along with 2 bodies left Utö island on December 26 and headed back to the United States. After the crew returned home, the helpful islanders were sent coffee and sugar to thank the people who brought them to the shore and took them to shelter in their homes. The villagers sold the gift sugar and coffee, which was scarce just after the war, and with the money, they went on to order a special commemorative silver candle holder that holds 10 candles. On the candle holder are engraved the names of crew members who perished in the accident. Every Christmas Eve, the candles are lit in the Utö church chapel in memory of the accident and the lives that were lost that night. The U.S. government publicly acknowledged its appreciation to the community of Utö for the rescue, housing and food give to the survivors, thank you letters are framed hung on the wall of the chapel in the lighthouse. See also List of Victory ships Liberty ship Type C1 ship Type C2 ship Type C3 ship References Sources Sawyer, L.A. and W.H. Mitchell. Victory ships and tankers: The history of the ‘Victory’ type cargo ships and of the tankers built in the United States of America during World War II, Cornell Maritime Press, 1974, 0-87033-182-5. United States Maritime Commission: Victory Cargo Ships Victory ships 1945 ships Ships built in Richmond, California United States Merchant Marine World War II merchant ships of the United States