Experience 1944 on the S. S. John W. Brown

A Wonderful Piece of History

When in Baltimore be sure to visit the Liberty Ship John W. Brown, the only operating WWII ship on the East Coast. Tour the museums that tell the stories of the men and women who built these ships, the civilian merchant mariners who sailed them, and the Naval Armed Guard who defended them as they delivered troops and wartime supplies across the globe with enemy submarines and aircraft in pursuit. Climb into a 4-tier bunk and imagine you are a soldier going to a combat zone—maybe to Operation Dragoon in the invasion of Southern France.

Experience 1944 on the S. S. John W. Brown

Built in 54 days to last 1 wartime trip or 5 years, this amazing ship carried troops and cargo for 13 voyages and is now 81 years old. Walk her historic decks, see exhibits including her christening bottle, a map of her voyages and a 4-ton spare anchor. Look into a lower cargo hold to view a WW ll truck and a spare propeller. Don’t miss a piece of a kamikaze plane in the Naval Armed Guard museum. Look for familiar names on the builder’s plates in #1 ‘tween deck. Learn why a degaussing cable was so important during wartime.

Learn some maritime language: galley (kitchen), ladders (steps), head (bathroom). Explore all 5 of her decks and see the bridge, radio room, crew quarters and guns. See the massive 140-ton triple expansion steam engine.

Meet Project Liberty Ship volunteers who own, maintain and operate this steaming memorial ship for tours, cruises, port visits, educational classes, youth overnights, STEM students and weekend steam school classes.

While 2,710 Liberty Ships were built-only two remain sailing today.