Red Oak Victory Ship In Richmond - A Second Life
The Red Oak Report Restoration Progress

The cargo ship SS Red Oak Victory - AK235, was laid down September 9, 1944 by Permanente Metals Corp., Richmond, California, for the U.S. Maritime Commission, acquired by the U.S. Navy December 5, 1944 and commissioned the same day with Lt. Commander John S. Sayer, USNR in command.

The Red Oak was loaded with cargo and departed San Francisco for Pearl Harbor January 10, 1945. From then until the end of the war she served as an ammunition ship for various ships in the South Pacific.

In 1996, the Richmond Museum of History was awarded the ship by an act of Congress. Saved from the scrap heap, restoration of the ship continues under the direction of the Museum Association and many dedicated volunteers.

Renovation of the Red Oak Victory
This project of the Richmond Museum of History, is proceeding apace thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers. Here are some of the recent highlights as reported by Michael J. Huntsinger, the Chief Mate and Restoration Manager. Exterior activities include the November 99 raising of a set of cargo gear at No. 4 hatch for the first time in over 30 years. There are seven such sets of booms on the ship. The anchor windlass, still fully functional, has been cleaned of old paint, acided, and primed with gray two-part linear polyurethane (LP). The longitudinal support frames on the bottom have major rusting which will need repair in the future. In late December more guns were delivered, including two 3" anti aircraft guns and a 5" cannon. Two 20 mm guns have already been procured. The weapons came from former Naval Base Treasure Island and will eventually be mounted, giving the ship that authentic World War II appearance. Holes in the decking compound on the navigation bridge and the passageway aft of the radio room have been filled, eliminating major safety hazards as well as eyesores. Most of the exposed area of the after (gunner's) house has now been covered with primer and finish gray paint.

Someday the whole ship will look as good as this structure! Much more work has been accomplished inside the ship and it is truly amazing to see the progress. Ship tours are given most days, weather permitting. The ship is berthed at Terminal One, near Ferry Point at the end of Dornan Drive. Call the ship at 510 237-2933 for current information and admission fees. Or visit their website at http://www.richmondmuseumofhistory.org.

Special Events aboard the Red Oak
On the balmy evening of November 11 a special Veterans Day Memorial Service was held on board the Red Oak Victory. Brigadier General Ezell Ware, Jr. of the California National Guard was a special guest, along with Mayor Rosemary Corbin, Supervisor John Gioia and Councilman Nat Bates. The 200 guests dropped flowers into the Bay in memory of special people in their lives, then disembarked to the adjacent historic warehouse for dinner. The ship was also the site of a fund raising event for Richmond s National Institute for Arts and Disabilities (NIAD) in March 1999, and Contra Costa College held its birthday celebration shipboard in February 2000.

For information on hosting special events aboard the Red Oak Victory, call the Museum at 510 235-7387.

Shipyard Exhibit
The Richmond Museum of History hosted an exhibit which ran from mid-February through May, 2000. The exhibit profiled three current projects that are preserving the legacy of Richmond's WWII shipyards, including the Red Oak Victory restoration, the Rosie the Riveter Memorial project, and contemporary photographs of local Rosies interviewed by Kennedy High School students.

Additional Links
Ham Radio Club on the Ship: http://www.qsl.net/redoakarc
SS Red Oak Victory Ship - AK235: http://www.ssredoakvictory.org
Richmond Museum of History: http://www.richmondmuseumofhistory.org

For additional information on the Red Oak restoration, please call, write or email:

Richmond Museum of History
Red Oak Restoration
P.O. Box 1276
Richmond, CA 94802
Phone: (510) 235-7387
Email: dbastin@msn.com