History
The SS Jeremiah O'Brien is one of two remaining fully functional Liberty Ships of the 2,710 built during World War II. She was launched on June 19, 1943; built by the New England Shipbuilding Corporation by order of the US Maritime Commission. When the US entered WWII there was a critical shortage of cargo ships and personnel to man them. To meet this crisis, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized emergency personnel recruiting and shipbuilding programs. Liberty ships were cargo ships with a Captain and crew of civilian merchant marines and a contingent of US Navy Armed Guard for defense. The O'Brien participated in D-Day invasions in 1944 by making 11 D-Day shuttle voyages between England and Normandy beaches. After her final voyage, in 1946, she was laid up in the National Reserve Fleet at Suisun Bay. In 1979, after dodging the scrappers for 33 years, she was designated as a memorial ship and steamed under her own power to San Francisco for restoration.
Specialties
The ship is open and explorable for self-guided tours daily from 9am to 4pm. Reservations for docent-led group tours can be made in advance. Closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. The O'Brien offers bay cruises beginning in May with our Veterans Memorial Cruise on May 19, 2018 to commemorate the gallantry of all veterans who have served in defense of America's freedom, and in October with the San Francisco Fleet Week Cruises, October 6 & 7, 2018 coinciding with the annual visit of the US Navy Fleet and Blue Angels. The ship is also available to rent for private events, the perfect venue with the San Francisco waterfront as backdrop. The ship's deck is an ideal spot for musical entertainment, a wine tasting or a mix and mingle under the stars. The Youth Overnight Program is an excellent way to show your youth group (scouts, schools, church, etc) that history is more than what you read about in books or see in old photographs.