Our Mission
Preserving History For Future Generations
The mission of the National Liberty Ship Memorial is to restore, promote, and operate the Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien as a living museum.
This endeavor aims to preserve, for present and future generations, the stories of the patriotic and brave men and women who built, sailed, and defended the 2,710 American-built World War II ships known as Liberty Ships.
Located at Pier 35 on San Francisco’s Embarcadero, the SS Jeremiah O’Brien stands as one of the last operational Liberty ships, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore a fully restored vessel from World War II. Through educational programs, public tours, and special events, the National Liberty Ship Memorial ensures that the legacy of the Merchant Marine and the shipbuilders of the era remains alive and accessible.
A Message from the Chair
Bill Greig, Chair — National Liberty Ship Memorial
As the SS Jeremiah O’Brien has just celebrated her eighty second birthday, it is a good time to reflect on the past to help us envision the future.
We call our Good Ship the ‘Lucky O’Brien’! She survived treacherous war time conditions including being a key participant in ‘Operation Overlord’, the invasion that ultimately led to freeing the world from tyranny. After honorable WWII service, she spent 33 years cooling her heels in the Ghost Fleet in Suisun Bay just waiting for the opportunity to raise steam once again.
The ‘Lucky O’Brien’s’ luck continued as she was rescued from the breakers torches by a dedicated group of volunteers who formed the National Liberty Ship Memorial. She proudly sailed under her own power from Mothballs to San Francisco where she is only one of two surviving and operational Liberties left, out of 2,710 that were built.
The ‘Lucky O’Brien’ survived countless financial challenges as well as a devastating Pier 45 fire and the Covid shutdown.
There are great challenges involved in operating a ship that has exceeded her expected lifetime by 77 years! Restoring her and keeping her running is a labor of love for our volunteer crew, who spend countless hours maintaining the ship.
Our biggest challenge now is our upcoming 2027 shipyard period. Our ship is fully documented and inspected by the US Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping. Every 5 years we must enter drydock, an expensive and labor intensive proposition.
Our ship has always been lucky, but it takes more than luck. Our volunteer crew, staff, industry supporters, and daily visitors keep us going. We rely on donations and revenue generated by our cruises and visitors at Pier 35. We do not receive any government funding.
With big challenges come big opportunities. We will continue to sail several times each year. Our educational partnerships and the overnight programs with local students and youth groups ensures the next generation will see living proof of the ‘Greatest Generation’ that kept alive our democracy. And the memory of the Men and Women who built, sailed, preserved and even perished on these ships will live on!
Come with us into the future. Volunteer a day, take a cruise, visit our museum or make a tax free donation and help us spread the word.
Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Captain Bill Greig
Chair, National Liberty Ship Memorial