FULL TOUR

In its original, unaltered, and fully operational condition, as well as a National Historic and Mechanical Engineering Landmark, the “lucky” S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien is one of the three surviving emergency cargo vessels of the type EC2-S-C1.

Liberty Ships and their civilian crews played a vital role in the Allied victory in World War II. America’s armies fighting overseas, as well as her allies, were reliant on a steady stream of supplies and equipment, and a large number of ships were required to deliver them.

A Liberty Ship’s complement consisted of two separate crews that worked together. The civilian officers and men of the US Merchant Marine were responsible for operating the ship and the Naval Armed Guard was responsible for operating the guns in defense of the ship. A wartime crew consisted of 43-48 volunteer merchant seamen and 12-28 US Navy Armed Guard signalmen and gunner’s mates.

To supply the Allied forces, Liberty Ships delivered a staggering variety and quantity of goods and matériel into every port and theater of war. They could transport up to ten thousand tons in their five cargo holds and across their decks.

The O'Brien completed seven voyages during WWII. Most importantly, her fourth voyage supported Operation Overlord, the Allied Invasion at Normandy which commenced on D-Day, June 6th, 1944.

After WWII ended, the number of Liberty Ships was declining as they became obsolete and sold for scrap. Rear Admiral Thomas J. Patterson, himself a former Liberty Ship sailor and US Maritime Administration official, took decisive action.

In the Spring of 1994, in what was an epic eighth voyage, the SS Jeremiah O'Brien returned to England and France to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Operation Overlord’s D-Day — the Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II in Europe.

The Main Deck is the primary working platform with access to the five cargo holds aboard the ship numbered from bow to stern. It forms a singular, flush-deck construction, acting as an overhead or “ceiling” to the hull of the vessel. 

Liberty Ships have five, two-level cargo holds that are accessed via their five hatches and feature prominently along the main deck. They provide access to load cargo into the holds below. Multiple wooden hatch covers form the roof of every cargo hold.

Steam winches were operated in sets of two to control the cabling system and positioning of the booms. It takes two crewmembers to operate a set along with a Bosun who coordinates their movements. You will see a set of winches located beneath each mast and boom as you explore the deck.

The principal function of a mast on a Liberty Ship is to support cargo booms for lifting cargo from the pier onto the ship and into its holds. They also support signal lights, wireless antennae, and the crow’s nest for lookouts. The three masts on Liberty Ships are the fore, main, and mizzen.

The O’Brien was equipped with four large life rafts as well as smaller ones that were scattered around the vessel's main decks. They could be quickly released or float free on their own if the ship sank out from under them and were designed to be reversible so they could be used either side up.

No. 2 Cargo hatch is the largest of all the ship’s hatch openings. Its corresponding ‘tween and lower holds below are also the largest on the ship. Designed to transport up to 10,000 tons of cargo and matériel to keep the theaters of war equipped and our allies supplied, a Liberty Ship’s cargo included everything from bombs to beans, toilet paper and toothpicks, jeeps, tanks, trucks, and troops.

The O’Brien was armed with eight 20MM Oerlikon antiaircraft cannons; two forward on the main deck, two on the Aft 5” Gun Platform, and four surrounding the flying bridge, at each corner of the top of the house. These cannons were primarily used for defense.

The Mark 29 was an elaborate experimental WWII anti-torpedo defense system designed to detect and destroy incoming enemy torpedoes and was tested aboard the O’Brien. The gear was stored beneath each of the forward 20mm Antiaircraft gun tubs.

No. 1 Cargo Hatch was the opening for the forwardmost hold aboard the ship. It was highly vulnerable in high seas to taking on water breaking over the bow. The breakwater on the main deck immediately forward of No. 1 Cargo Hatch aided in diverting water away from the hold.

The bow of a Liberty Ship was typically more blunt than a Victory ship or other modern cargo vessels. It was common during wartime to be able to recognize ship silhouettes and a Liberty’s bow shape made it easily recognizable.

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The primary armament of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien during the Second World War was two, 3-inch 50 caliber Naval guns mounted on the bow and stern gun platforms. These guns were intended for defense against aircraft, ships, and surfaced submarines and had a range of approximately ten miles. 

During Operation Overlord a member of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien’s crew painted a pinup girl against a shamrock to represent the Irish heritage of the Jeremiah O’Brien. She is endearingly known as “Miss Jerri.” Much like airplane nose art that was commonly painted on the front of airplanes, she was painted on the forward gun tub, port side.

The mast closest to the bow is called the Foremast. Atop the foremast is the ‘crow’s nest,’ where lookouts would be stationed and somewhat sheltered from the weather. The jumbo boom is secured aft of the foremast. The circular bands at the top are used to secure the cargo booms in a vertical position when the ship is underway.

Like the other hatches on the main deck, the No. 4 Cargo Hatch would have been fully loaded while at sea. During Operation Overlord’s Normandy landings, the O’Brien also shuttled troops who were quartered in No. 4 hold ‘tween deck on cots while the rest stayed on the main deck.

The third and last mast from the bow of the ship is called the mizzenmast. The mizzenmast is used to load cargo into both No. 4 and No. 5 Cargo Holds. The corresponding booms have a maximum lifting capacity of 25 tons.

The top of No. 5 Cargo Hatch would have also been fully loaded. While shuttling troops for combat during Operation Overlord’s Normandy landings, the O’Brien returned with wounded men who were housed in No. 5 Hold ‘tween deck.

The After House was home to part of the ship’s Naval Armed Guard crew, which typically numbered between 15 to 30 men. It also contains access to the Steering Engine Room, which is closed to visitors.

The ship’s Steering Engine is located one deck below the Aft house. The rudder, which is about twenty feet tall, is too massive to be moved by any simple mechanical connection to the wheel on the bridge, so the ship uses “power steering” instead.

This gun deck contained the ship’s primary defensive armament, which could range in size anywhere from a 3-inch 50 to a 5-inch 38 gun, two 20mm Oerlekon anti aircraft guns, and the 3rd backup Aft Steering wheel.

At the stern, the O’Brien has essential features and equipment for emergency and safe operation. Aft of the house, on both port and starboard sides, are two rectangular removable plates on the deck that lead directly to the steering engine room below.

You are now amidship which incorporates the superstructure known as the Midship House. It contained the living quarters for the crew and officers as well as other operational facilities. It also provided the main access to the Engine Room. The house consists of four decks, each of which has a specific purpose.

The ship is equipped with multiple toilets called ‘heads’ along with showers for the officers and crew. All are functional and the heads can be used as needed by visitors today. The Master enjoyed a head and shower within his quarters, whereas the other officers and crew had access to shared heads.

The crew of a Liberty Ship lived in these cabins known as fo'c'sles (pronounced FOHK-səl) which were named after the spaces in the bow of a ship where prior generations of seamen were quartered. The fo'c'sles housed a maximum of four men and included modest luxuries such as lockers, bunk lights for reading, and porthole fans for ventilation. 

The Officer’s Salon is where the ship’s officers ate their meals and relaxed while off duty. This salon was better appointed and offered more comfort than the crew’s eating area as it featured cushioned settees and armrests on the wooden chairs with adjustable fiddle boards that kept plates from sliding off the tables in heavy seas.

Liberty ships had a separate eating area, or mess space, for each of their two crews, one for the Merchant Marine personnel and another for the Naval Armed Guard.

Meals were prepared in the Galley for the crew under the direction of the Chief Steward. Three cooks put out three meals a day for up to 80 men, plus a “night lunch” that was left out for the night watches to snack on.

The majority of the ship’s officers were quartered on the Boat Deck. At the top of each cabin door frame, you’ll see a small plaque indicating the officer assigned to the cabin.

The Purser played a crucial role on a Liberty Ship, collaborating closely with the ship's Master to oversee financial and administrative tasks. This involved maintaining records such as the crew's work and pay register to ensure timely payments.

You are now on the Boat Deck. This level contains officer's living quarters and the ship's Hospital Room. On the exterior are the lifeboats and the ceiling vents for the top of engine room.

With all of the hazards they faced during wartime these lifeboats were a critical item for the crew of a Liberty ship. Merchant seaman received thorough training in launching lifeboats and survival skills such as safely swimming through burning oil.

The Lyle Gun was a short-barreled cannon designed to throw a line. It fired a heavy projectile with a light line attached which was intended to draw in a heavier line or flexible pipe.

The Chief Engineer, often referred to simply as “The Chief”, enjoyed both an office and a separate bunk compartment.

This cabin was occupied by the Chief Mate. In addition to standing a navigational watch he was responsible for managing the work done by the deck department and also oversaw the stowage of cargo when in port. 

The hospital on a Liberty ship was little more than a bunk room equipped with basic medical supplies and lighter weight bed frames that could double as a gurney.

The Bridge Deck was the command center of the ship. It contained the Wheelhouse where the primary steering and transmitting of orders to the engine room took place, the Chart Room where navigational courses were plotted, and the Radio Room from where the ship’s primary communication for ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore was done.

Cadets were students from one of several maritime academies who were in training to become deck, engineering, or radio officers. Part of their curriculum was a six-month period of practical training at sea, which meant sailing on an active merchant vessel, even during wartime.

The Radio Room on a Liberty ship could often be its only link to the outside world.  For security reasons,  ships typically maintained radio silence, but there was still a large amount of radio traffic for the radio operator to monitor.

The Radio Room on a Liberty ship could often be its only link to the outside world.  For security reasons,  ships typically maintained radio silence, but there was still a large amount of radio traffic for the radio operator to monitor.

The ship’s captain, also known as the master, did not stand a watch but was at all times responsible for the safe operation of the ship. The captain was quartered near the bridge so he could be summoned at a moment’s notice.

The 2nd Mate was responsible for navigation. In addition to plotting courses and tracking the ship’s position, he had to ensure that all of the charts were kept up to date.

You are now in the ship’s Wheelhouse, or Bridge. Under wartime conditions this space would typically only be used when under fire or inclement weather due to the poor visibility from inside.

During the WWII most shipping traffic across the Atlantic travelled in convoys. Merchant ships were formed into a box formation then surrounded by escort ships to protect against submarines.

During the WWII most shipping traffic across the Atlantic travelled in convoys. Merchant ships were formed into a box formation then surrounded by escort ships to protect against submarines.

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The engineering department provides all the utilities a small town would need as well as the propulsion of the ship. During wartime, the Engine Room was the most dangerous place to be on a Liberty ship.

The engine room crew consisted of only three men - the watch engineer, a fireman/watertender, (FWT), and an oiler/wiper. In addition to serving as the engine room watch officer, each of the engineers had other duties. 

You are standing next to the cylinder heads of the ship’s main engine; a three-cylinder, triple-expansion, double-acting steam engine designed before the turn of the 19th century by Scottish and English engineers. It is driven by steam generated in the two boilers. 

The engine is directly coupled to the propeller by the crankshaft. As a three-cylinder, triple-expansion, double-acting steam engine, double-acting means that steam pushes the piston both down and up. Therefore, every motion produces a force on the crankshaft and thus the propeller.

The O’Brien still operates with its original direct current, or DC, electric generators, and open-front switchboard. They were the ship’s sole source of electric power during WWII.

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The Engine Room crew consisted of only three men - the watch Engineer, a Fireman/Watertender, and an Oiler/Wiper. 

During the Normandy landings, she carried troops in similar accommodations to what is seen here.

After exploring the perimeter walls and museum artifacts, proceed through the port side or left entrance into Cargo Hold No.1, where the museum continues and displays WWII dioramas, models, and military vehicles.

No. 1 Hold is the forward most cargo hold. Currently, it houses our No. 1 Hold Museum featuring our original WWII vehicles, D-Day diorama, interactive convoy operations diorama, and other artifacts.

Welcome to our Ship Store where you can purchase exclusive O’Brien merchandise and souvenirs to remind you of your visit today. All purchases directly support the ongoing maintenance of the SS Jeremiah O’Brien. During WWII, there was a store available to the crew known as the “Slop Chest.” Various items were available for purchase including toiletries, clothing, candy, and other items a crew member might need that were not already provided to them and subtracted from their pay at the end of the voyage.