We had driven the hundred miles to Tampa to enjoy a Living History day aboard the WW I.I. era victory ship the S.S. American Victory. The Victory is a fully functional and sea worthy museum that began life as an armed merchant vessel just in time to serve in the Pacific at the end of the big war. Once or twice a year she sets sail and we were excited to be joining her for yet another of her decades of ships log entries.Particularly exciting was the fact that some of its earliest crew members were able to join in and again help crew the old ship on another cruise. We were also joined by a large group of WW II re enactors who had lashed period jeeps and military equipment to her decks. You could just feel the Victories pride ooze as she could still perform the task she was born to do.
We stood in line awaiting to be frisked by security before being allowed up the gang plank and as we did the re enactors all trooped by in groups of three and fours un hindered to board the ship. They were burdened by the weight of M1 Rifles, Thompson sub machine guns, .45 caliber pistols and other than the looks from us interested “civilians” no one gave them a second glance…..as Security was way too busy glancing at me. The woman in charge stood there glaring me down as she had triumphantly discovered my knife with its machete like one and a quarter inch blade…..
“ No weapons of any kind allowed “ I was told with authority and the same logic of checking old ladies shoes at the airport in Kansas while a thousand people a day walked across our border.
“ But eighty guys just walked by with fully functional firearms “ was my lame defense.
“They “……she countered strong and sincere…. “are not allowed to shoot anybody.” my quick reply of….
“I’m not allowed to stab anybody either. ” fell upon un laughingly deaf ears , and I trudged across the huge parking lot to store my 2 oz. machete in the car before enjoying my day aboard the SS American Victory.
