By Kathy Chouteau
In the most fitting of reopening dates, the SS Red Oak Victory ship will open up to the public on Saturday, July 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to celebrate Independence Day.
The ship bears the distinction of being not only the last surviving vessel of those built at the Richmond Kaiser Shipyards during World War II, but also one of the war’s last surviving Victory ships.
That Saturday, visitors can take a self-guided tour that will be laid out and marked on the ship and which will minimize people crossing paths, according to ship officials. The ship’s original Morse Code radio will also be operating that day, with radio operators available to help visitors send radiograms to anyone anywhere in the world via their email address.
The boarding fee and self-guided tours are $10 per person, with no charge for children under eight years old.
The ship’s announcement follows Contra Costa Health Services’ mandate that museums may reopen July 1 contingent on the implementation of certain health and safety measures.
While on the floating museum at Richmond’s waterfront, visitors must wear face masks and practice six-foot social distancing from other people who are not members of their own household, per ship officials.
“The Red Oak Victory crew is working hard to make sure that your visit will be both safe and entertaining,” said ship officials in a statement. “We’re scrubbing down the ship from top to bottom using CDC guidelines for public spaces and we will maintain a cleaning protocol throughout the day while visitors are on board.”
Following its Independence Day reopening, the ship will continue to remain open to the public every Saturday onward from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Red Oak Victory is docked at 1337 Canal Blvd. in Richmond. For more info, call 510-237-2933 or click here.
