Some of you know of my interest in military history. It's something I try to keep low key, not to bring up over every date and party, but given the chance I could discuss the battle of Kursk or the Ottoman siege of Vienna. While walking alone on the San Francisco piers I saw a World War II Liberty and indulged my nerdy little quirk.
Liberty ships were mass produced cargo ships built by America for Allied shipping all around the world. Like the Jeep or Sherman tank, it wasn't the most precisely engineered or fastest or most beautiful idea, but it was easy to mass-produce in a short amount of time. Several thousand were made from '42-'45 and they served in every ocean and every theatre in the war. Usually ships open for the public to tour are sealed off on the inside, but this one was in full working order. Just last year some of the remaining Liberty sailors from World War Two got together and took this ship across the ocean for the anniversary of D-Day. There were plenty of old veterans staffing the exhibit, eager to answer any questions. |
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