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SS AMERICAN VICTORY
PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION
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THIS
PAGE IS PROVIDED BY PARANORMAL EXTREME, FLORIDA PARANORMAL RESEARCH,
AND THE WHITE NOISE BROADCAST NETWORK AS A PRESS RESOURCE. THIS
IS PUBLIC
INFORMATION AND ALL MATERIALS HERE CAN BE COPIED, DUPLICATED, OR USED
AS NEEDED FOR STORIES ON THIS INVESTIGATION OR ON THE SS AMERICAN
VICTORY.
| Event Type | Paranormal Investigation / LIVE Internet Broadcast to the Public |
| Event Location | American Victory Ship, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa Bay, Florida
(Behind The Florida Aquarium) |
| Event participants |
Paranormal Extreme, Primary Team www.ParanormalExtreme.com Florida Paranormal Research Group, Inc. www.FloridaParanormalResearch.com Southern Paranormal Investigations www.SPI-Texas.org Team-Phenomenon http://www.team-phenomenon.com/ |
| Date / Time |
Saturday, may 2nd, 2009, 9pm – 5am EDT (local time) (Press Access Times To be Announced) |
| Description |
Investigators will arrive early in the day to begin setting up more than 30 cameras on the SS American Victory. They will be running internet, A/V, and power to 3 command and control centers located throughout the vessel. From these control centers leaders will monitor the progress of each team of investigators. This video and audio is also be recorded and will be hosted on the White Noise Forum for review by the public. Technicians will install Inferred night cameras, highly sensitive microphones, environmental monitoring equipment, and safety and security devices in most areas of the ship. 5 Video / Audio Remotes will be brought on-line that will broadcast the investigation out to the general public. There is no charge to view the show or participate in chats. Viewers will be able to watch and hear investigators live. At 9pm the lights on the SS American Victory will be extinguished. Stairwells and hazardous areas will be lit by red lights. A final security check will be performed by Ship’s staff and Investigators to ensure that no one is left on the ship. A security point and staging area will be maintained outside the ship and access to the ship will be restricted. This process will ensure that evidence is not contaminated by a stow away! Once these precautions are completed we will begin to investigate using up to 4 simultaneous teams. Teams will generally be made up of 2 to 3 investigators from mixed teams. Each team will carry a two way radio, a video camcorder, and audio recorder, electromagnetic monitoring equipment, and environmental monitoring equipment. Each group will operate on a separate radio frequency to prevent evidence contamination. During these investigative periods members will conduct both roving sweeps and stationary observations. Investigators will use verbal provocation in an attempt to solicit a response from beyond. This provocation will be at all times respectful and will not become negative or involve name calling. Investigators will also conduct a number of experiments using a wide array of “out of the box ideas” to try to find a better way to capture evidence of activity. Investigators will use high intensity, single color frequency lighting, they will introduce different sounds, and use new and untested technology. They will use cutting edge equipment like the Paranormal Puck, Dowsing Devices, Specialty Cameras and Microphones, as well as highly sensitive monitoring equipment. The widest latitude will be given to each team of investigators to try different methodologies, techniques and equipment on each sweep. They are encouraged to think outside the box and experiment in every way possible. Once a sweep begins, the members will be given what areas they are to be operating in. They are then left to investigate for approximately 50 minutes. They will then be called and told to return to their command post. If they are receiving anomalous readings or experiencing activity they will be allowed to stay in place for the duration of the activity. |
| PHOTO | TEAM | GENERAL INFORMATION | ROLE IN THIS EVENT |
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Paul
Benstine Director / Lead Investigator / Technician Paul was born in Orange County Florida. He lived most of his adult life in the suburbs of Detroit Michigan. He moved to Lehigh Acres Florida 2 years ago. He has had a interest in the paranormal since he was in grade school and officially joined Florida Paranormal Research almost 2 years ago. He decided to start his own team one year ago, still maintaining a relationship with Florida Paranormal Research, inc. and still does multi-team investigations with them fairly regularly. He is one of the first teams to join the White Noise Network (a network of paranormal research teams that work together in advancing the paranormal research field). He was a tool and die maker by trade until he suffered a extreme back injury that made it impossible to work and now devotes his time to his hobby. |
Event / Investigation Manager |
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Jennifer
Owens Investigator / Case Manager Jennifer is a native of Southwest Florida and works in the insurance industry. She has always been interested in the realm of paranormal from midnight graveyard outings to visiting haunted houses. Jennifer is a member of Paranormal Extreme and is excited about upcoming investigations and is very hopeful of collecting evidence of paranormal activity. |
Case Manager |
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Margaret
Bickford Public Information Officer / Investigator Margaret Bickford is with Paranormal Extreme. Margaret has been involved in conventions for 10 years for various shows. Dealing with various aspects of the running of the conventions. Margaret has always been interesting in the paranormal and even lived in a haunted house for 18 years. She is married with 2 children and is currently a stay at home mom. |
Media Liasion |
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Ian J.
Hickin (HurricaneIan) Director / Founder / Broadcaster / Technician Founder / Director of Florida Paranormal Research and The White Noise Network. I have a passion for paranormal discoveries. I feel that to achieve different and better results you must try different methods, techniques, and equipment. Networking of information and resources is the key to success in this field. I am retired from the Bayshore Fire Rescue District, where I served in many positions including PIO, Training Officer, Emergency Management, and when I retired I was the Fire Cheif. Following several personal experiences and seeing lots of death over the years, I wanted to explore ghosts and the afterlife. I started Florida Paranormal Research and The White Noise Network in a quest for answers. I am very happy to be a part of this team. I look at this as a quest for the truth! |
Broadcaster / Host of Saturday Night Paranormal, Media Relations, Operational Consultant. |
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Gary Walters
(ICEeDeAdPeOpLe) Lead Investigator / Technician I am married to RedMenace1975 (Virginia). I am 43 years old and I live in Alva, Florida. I am a laid back and down to earth person who does not get “spooked” very easily. I am a very loyal husband and dedicated father. One who believes in God, my Family and my Country. I proudly served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1992. My Military Occupational Specialty included nuclear, chemical, and high explosive ordnance and munitions systems on the AV-8B Harriers. I was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC. I have always been interested in the paranormal and will search for the facts in any endeavor I pursue. I am the type of person who believes in the truth and getting “the whole story” before making any decisions or jumping to conclusions. |
Operations Manager, Will oversee the operations of both command posts and manage all personnel that are operating in the investigation area. |
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Virginia
Walters
(RedMenace) Senior Investigator / Spiritualist My name is Virginia Walters. I have been interested in the paranormal since the age of 10 until now, but never was guided into the right direction to achieve the answers I have been looking for. I currently have 3 awesome jobs; I work as a coordinator by day, a “super mom” in the evening, and spiritualist for our group the rest of the time. I have had my fair share of events during my life, now I am just curious as to why there are more occurrences going on now and how we can prove it on a “scientific level”. |
Aft Operations Coordinator,
Spiritual Advisor |
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Jennifer
Parker Founder/Lead Investigator Jennifer brings almost 10 years of extensive scientific research experience to each investigation. She has been interested in and been investigating the paranormal for over 15 years. Having an extensive research background allows her to debunk or prove the existence of paranormal activity. Jennifer's primary goal and that of SPI is to help the affected individuals by giving them peace of mind. This is accomplished by either ruling out paranormal activity or by our group substantiating their claims and then placing them in contact with additional help for there family. |
Lead Investigator |
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George Mercado Founder / Lead Investigator |
Lead Investigator |
| Museum Information |
Hours of Operation Mondays Closed Admission: Adults $10 Upcoming Events April 23 - Crawfish Boil Donate
Today |
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| Links To Ships History | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Liberty Ship vs. Victory Ship |
A Liberty ship’s maximum speed was 11 knots, making her easy prey for submarines, so early in 1942, the US War Shipping Administration commissioned a design for a faster, 15-knot ship. Vessels in this new class were to be known as “Victory” ships (officially a VC-2) and were 455 feet in length, slightly longer than Liberty ships, and 62 feet wide. Cross-compound steam turbine engines with double reduction gears were designed to deliver 6,000 or 8,500 horsepower, and could make up to 17 knots, significantly faster than a Liberty. Victory ship profiles would feature a sleek, “raked” bow, a raised forecastle, and a “cruiser” stern, markedly different from a Liberty ship profile. Victory ships were strengthened to avoid fractures in hull plates and ship sides, a problem which often plagued Liberty ships. Armament for the new ship class was similar to that on Liberty ships, and included one 5-inch stern gun, one 3-inch bow antiaircraft gun and eight 20-mm machine guns at various locations on main, boat and bridge decks for protection from enemy attacks. Victory ships were designed specifically to allow for easy modification after World War II into other types of cargo carriers, special uses and even passenger ships. The first Victory ship, the SS United Victory, was launched on February 28, 1944, and like Liberty ships, production line techniques were used to build the vessels. The next 34 Victory ships were named for each of the member Allied nations participating in World War II. The subsequent 218 were named after American cities, the next 150 after educational institutions; the balance received miscellaneous names. Regardless of their differences, both Liberty and Victory class ships and tankers were vitally important to America’s war efforts on both fronts during World War II and decisively contributed to the ultimate Allied victory. The U.S. merchant fleet played a major role in winning the war, transporting an estimated 85% of the troops, ammunition and supplies used to support Allied war effort in both the European and Pacific theaters. Victory ships also played a significant role during the Korean War and the Vietnam War, transporting thousands of refugees to freedom and carrying material, equipment and ammunition to these areas. Victory ships were at the forefront of the resurgence of the United States as a world economic power and became the “workhorses” of American waterborne commerce after the war. To carry American goods around the world in support of the Marshall Plan, private firms chartered hundreds of Victory ships. Hundreds were sold or leased to foreign countries for use as freighters and some were converted for passenger service. Others were converted for use as satellite and radar tracking ships for the U.S. Navy; the U.S. Army converted several Victory ships into troop transports. Some may still remain in commercial service today, more than 50 years after the first Victory ship slid down the slipway. Victory and Liberty ships were crewed by members of the U.S. Merchant Marine and defended by an all-volunteer group of U.S. Navy sailors called the Navy Armed Guard. The operation of these ships during World War II came at great human cost: The Merchant Marine suffered more loss of life, by percentage of their ranks, than any other branch of service; the Armed Guard lost thousands. US Merchant Mariners and the Navy Armed Guard are truly the forgotten heroes of WW II. Click here for more about the U.S. Merchant Marine and Armed Guard.
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| Ship's Specifics |
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| General Information |
Background Information on the SS American Victory: Name: SS American Victory (SS stands for Steam Ship). The American Victory was named after American University in Washington, DC. Type of ship: Merchant Marine cargo ship. The Victory Ship (replaced the Liberty Ships). Learn about the difference between Liberty and Victory Ships. Vessel Type: VC2-S-AP2 (Victory Class, Cargo, 2nd Length, Steam, Auxiliary, Personnel, 2nd Ship in Series) Ship Launching: May 24, 1945 Delivered to War Shipping Authority: June 20, 1945 from California Shipyards Total Number: 534 Victory Ships Launched. Total Number Victory Ships Sunk During World War II: 5 Speed of Victory Ship:
American Victory’s Dimensions: 455 feet long, 62 feet wide and 109 feet high American Victory Sailings:
Trace the History of the American Victory1945: American Victory Involvement in World War II Crew: 62 Merchant Mariners and Naval Armed Guard 1945-1947: 1947-1951:
Hudson River Reserve Fleet The Reserve Fleets were a critical part of our nations defense. If a war were to break out the ships could be ready to deliver cargo in thirty days. See Maritime Administration Website for more information on the National Defense Reserve Fleet. 1951-1954: American Victory in the Korean War Crew: 47 Merchant Mariners The American Victory was reactivated in New York City, New York, in 1951, one of one hundred and thirty Victory ships reactivated for the Korean War. Shipyard re-activation work was done from February 18 to April 25, 1951. She was given a shipyard charter on March 19, 1951. She went on nine voyages during the Korean War where she transported cargo between the United States, Korea, Japan and Germany. Merchant Marine in the Korean War:
1954-1966: Sabine River Reserve Fleet 1966-1969: American Victory Involvement in the Vietnam War Crew: as small as 25 members The American Victory was reactivated for the Vietnam War on July 19, 1966, when her charter was awarded to Hudson Waterways Corporation. She was towed to New Orleans, Louisiana on July 30th. She departed on her first Vietnam War voyage on September 9, 1966. She transported everything from trunks and soda to household goods, pipes, refrigerators, air conditioners, mail bags, paint, and insecticide. The ship currently has the radio logs from the Vietnam War. The radio logs are primary source documents showing the messages received and sent from onboard the American Victory. The radio logs note many different events onboard from necessary ship repairs to weather alerts. One radio log notes that “receive message that ports is under grey conditions—enemy action anticipated—vessel must be able to depart port on 2 hour notice—24 hour radio watch is required.” (February 22, 1968, in NhaTrang, Vietnam). This reiterates the grave danger that the Merchant Mariners faced. Merchant Marine in the Vietnam War:
1969-1985 James River Reserve Fleet 1985: American Victory Reactivated as a part
of MARAD
(Maritime Administration) Activation Program 1985-1999 James River Reserve Fleet 1999-present: Docked in Tampa as a Mariners Memorial and Museum Ship For more information read the St. Petersburg Times online article “Cargo ship to be museum” by Steve Huettel from September 13, 1999 located on the internet at: http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes Nautical Terminology
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