Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
"Victory ships were a bigger, complicated ship."
Reverend Ross Hidy, pastor
— S.S. Red Oak Victory —
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
1. S.S. Red Oak Victory marker
Captions: (bottom left) Mrs. Ray Reiley, wife of the Mayor of Red Oak, Iowa, christening the Red Oak Victory Ship, November 9, 1944.; (background) After World War II, the S.S. Red Oak Victory was decommissioned and served as a cargo carrier in the Merchant Marines and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars. Today it is a memorial and museum.
The S.S. Red Oak Victory is an example of the enormous scale of work completed by ordinary men and women to help the war effort. Constructed in eight-seven days, the S.S. Red Oak Victory was one of ten Victory ships commissioned by the United States Navy as ammunition and cargo carriers during World War II.
The S.S. Red Oak Victory was named for Red Oak, Iowa -- the town that lost more of its men, per capita, than any other community in the United States. On a single day - March 6, 1943 - more than 100 telegrams arrived in Red Oak informing families throughout the community of soldiers missing in action.
S.S. Red Oak Victory Specifications
Cruising Speed -- 16 knots
Fuel Oil Capacity -- 802,767 gallons
Deadweight -- 10,759 long tons
Lightweight -- 4,451 long tons
Displacement -- 15,210 long tons
Breadth (Molded) -- 62 feet
Length (Overall) -- 455 feet - 3 inches
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is March 6, 1943.
Location. Marker is missing. It was located near 37° 54.312′ N, 122°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. "I was truly there and did my part to the end." -- Addie Mae Cance, former shipyard worker (here, next to this marker); SS Red Oak Victory (within shouting distance of this marker); Dynamic Wartime Port (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Ford Assembly Building (approx. half a mile away); The Home Front Legacy (approx. half a mile away); War Boomtown (approx. 0.6 miles away); Contra Costa College Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); Wartime Changes (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.
More about this marker. This marker is on the dock next to the S.S. Red Oak Victory.
Also see . . .
1. Victory ship -- Wikipedia. The Victory ship was a class of cargo ship produced in large numbers by North American shipyards during World War II to replace losses caused by German submarines. Based on the earlier Liberty ship, they were slightly larger and had more powerful engines for better evading U-boats. A total of 531 Victory ships were built. (Submitted on May 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Diane Phillips
2. "Victory ships were a bigger, complicated ship."...Marker is missing
2. List of Victory Ships -- Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Additional keywords. "Victory ships were a bigger, complicated ship."
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
3. S.S. Red Oak Victory, ship and marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
4. S.S. Red Oak Victory
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
5. S.S. Red Oak Victory
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
6. S.S. Red Oak Victory
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 19, 2016
7. S.S. Red Oak Victory
Photographed By Unknown
8. Cross section of a Victory Ship
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 470 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on September 19, 2020, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
