SS Lane Victory began her first wartime journey on June 27, 1945, in the closing stages of World War II. She delivered munitions, loaded in Port Hueneme, California to Admiralty Island in the Pacific. She went on to serve with distinction in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. During the Korean War, Lane Victory's moment of glory came in December 1950, during the evacuation of Korean civilians and United Nations personnel from Wonsan. As the cruiser Saint Paul and destroyers laid down a covering fire, Lane Victory offloaded troops, vehicles and cargo. She then evacuated 7,010 men, women and children, taking them south to safety.
In September 1966, Lane Victory joined the Vietnam War effort. She was returned to the Ready Reserve Fleet in 1970. In 1982, the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II commenced efforts to acquire her. She was towed from San Francisco to San Pedro in June 1989.
Lane Victory is now fully operational and is supported by 6 'Victory at Sea' WWII-Cruises each summer off Catalina Island.
SS Lane Victory is a National Historic Landmark. (HNSA)
| Ship Type | VC2-S-AP2; Hull Number V-794 |
| Shipyard | Terminal Island Shipyard |
| Launched | June, 1945 |
| Final Decommissioning | June, 1970 |
| Length | 455 feet |
| Beam | 62 feet |
| Draft: | 28 feet |
| Dead-weight Tonnage | 10,750 long tons |
| Main Propulsion | Two forced draft fueled water tub boilers with super-heaters and economizers One Allis-Chalmers cross compound steam turbine with double reduction gears |
| Steam Pressure | 450 PSI |
| Steam Temperature | 750 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Fuel Consumption | 40 tons per day |
| Horsepower | 6000, at 90 RPM |
| Propeller | 19 feet in diameter |
| Max Speed | 16.3 knots (18.75 mph) |
| Armament | One 5 inch / 38 caliber dual purpose mount One 3 inch / 50 caliber mount Eight 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft mounts |
Additional Information:
SS Lane Victory Website
HNSA