Stepping on board the S.S. John W. Brown, a World War II Liberty Ship, is like stepping onto a piece of history. “It’s one of the largest class of ships ever built," said Dick Sterne, an engine room volunteer on the John W. Brown and the Secretary of Project Liberty Ship. "It was built right here in Baltimore at the old Bethlehem-Fairfield Yards."Most of the Liberty Ships mass-produced during World War II were built in Baltimore. The cargo ships used to carry everything from supplies to troops during the war. Now, only two of the ships still operate — the John W. Brown is one of them. “It’s a museum ship, but we look at it as a living history memorial to the merchant mariners who labored behind the scenes, the kind of unsung heroes that got all of the materials all over the world,” said Sterne. Now, volunteers like Sterne take pride in showing people around the ship — from the kitchen to the wheelhouse to the museum rooms filled with information and artifacts. But it takes a lot of work and money to keep the ship up and running. “Every five years we have to go to a drydock to maintain our Coast Guard certification,” Sterne said. “This time, it’s going to cost probably pushing $1.25 million.” The money helps cover repairs and other expenses associated with the trip to the drydock in Norfolk, Virginia. A government grant and donations help cover the costs, but volunteers with the John W. Brown say they still need financial help for the trip and to keep the ship alive. “We are surviving on the generosity based on our supporters, and we really appreciate it, but we just need it to keep going," Sterne said. “Nobody wants to see a part of history die.”The ship is open for the public to tour on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Click the link for more information on how you can donate to help keep the ship up and running.
BALTIMORE —
Stepping on board the S.S. John W. Brown, a World War II Liberty Ship, is like stepping onto a piece of history.
“It’s one of the largest class of ships ever built," said Dick Sterne, an engine room volunteer on the John W. Brown and the Secretary of Project Liberty Ship. "It was built right here in Baltimore at the old Bethlehem-Fairfield Yards."
Most of the Liberty Ships mass-produced during World War II were built in Baltimore. The cargo ships used to carry everything from supplies to troops during the war. Now, only two of the ships still operate — the John W. Brown is one of them.
“It’s a museum ship, but we look at it as a living history memorial to the merchant mariners who labored behind the scenes, the kind of unsung heroes that got all of the materials all over the world,” said Sterne.
Now, volunteers like Sterne take pride in showing people around the ship — from the kitchen to the wheelhouse to the museum rooms filled with information and artifacts. But it takes a lot of work and money to keep the ship up and running.
“Every five years we have to go to a drydock to maintain our Coast Guard certification,” Sterne said. “This time, it’s going to cost probably pushing $1.25 million.”
The money helps cover repairs and other expenses associated with the trip to the drydock in Norfolk, Virginia. A government grant and donations help cover the costs, but volunteers with the John W. Brown say they still need financial help for the trip and to keep the ship alive.
“We are surviving on the generosity based on our supporters, and we really appreciate it, but we just need it to keep going," Sterne said. “Nobody wants to see a part of history die.”
The ship is open for the public to tour on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Click the link for more information on how you can donate to help keep the ship up and running.