If you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind tourist attraction, it's a one day cruise aboard the S.S. Lane Victory - as you'll see by the following photo essay.

All Aboard!
The S.S. Lane Victory is a WW2 merchant ship that in the months of July, August and September, re-creates portions of a WW2 convoy. The ship, shown here sailing out of San Pedro harbor, is filled with happy tourists on the ship's one day cruise. Setting sail from San Pedro at 8.30am on both Saturday and Sunday, and returning at 4.30pm, this one-of-a-kind tourist event is unique in all the USA, and there is nothing else like it - anywhere in the world. The Lane was one of 534 Victory ships built during WW2 and, including the earlier Liberty ships, 674 merchant vessels were lost to enemy action, sending 6,795 seamen to their final resting place. In December 1950, the Lane rescued over 7,000 men, women and children from North Korea and took them to safety in the South. In 1991 the ship was designated a "National Historic Landmark."

World War Two Re-Visited! You may wonder, looking at this photo, if you're "seeing things." I mean these are all World War Two uniforms, so why are these folks aboard the Lane Victory? But that's EXACTLY the idea. These are what's called "Re-Enactors" on the Lane who dress up in WW2 uniforms so that, as one member of the ship's crew told me, "some of our passengers are far too young - or were not even born then - to remember WW2, and so don't know how our military uniforms looked in those days. On our ship, we show them" And yes, they'll be happy to pose with YOU for a photo!

A Moving Moment
Although there are lots of different things to see and do aboard the Lane during the short one day cruise, one of the most moving moments comes with a solemn shipboard ceremony that honors American merchant seamen who lost their lives in WW2. A "Mini Memorial" service is held at the ship's side and the names of seamen lost on these ships are read aloud and, with each name, a flower is tossed overboard. When the last name has been called a floral wreath is also thrown into the ocean. As you can see from my photo, there is a US Navy Honor Guard and, in this instance it is provided by the US Navy Sea Cadet Corps.

Nautical Memorabilia
It might seem strange to find a museum "at sea," but the Lane has one of the most intriguing and really fascinating nautical museums anywhere. Filled with marvelous ship models, tons of paintings, old newspapers from the 40s and war time era, this is a MUST SEE place on your trip. Anyone interested in almost anything to do with the Navy, the Merchant Marine and the colorful history of these groups, will find information and memorabilia about it in this one-of-a-kind museum. And oh yes, you'll also find an interesting gift shop here as well.

THIS Is Absolutely Fascinating! As anyone who has taken a cruise aboard one of the world's modern, super liners knows, taking a tour of the engine room is usually NOT allowed. But here, here on the Lane such tours are one of the highlights of the voyage. When I went down these steps I could not believe the enormous multitude of pipes, ladders, dials, tubes, wires, gaskets and very loud noise. And yes, incredible heat! As one of the engine room guides told me, "come with me and I'll take you down three stories into the hot, humid, extra loud and very exciting heart of our ship - and you'll get to see our powerful steam engine and I'll tell you how it all works." He looked at me, then tapped my shoulder and said, "THIS, this my friend is an experience you'll never forget." You can also take a tour of the bridge; talk to the captain and, if you're very lucky, you might even be able for a few moments to actually steer the ship.

A Trip Back Into Yesteryear
One of the things the Lane Victory crew want you to experience, is the atmosphere and feeling of the 30s and 40s - and a key part of that mixture were those wonderful musical melodies from bands like Glen Miller and his ilk. As such, you'll find yourself tapping your feet as the 'Yellow Houn' Dawg Band' play musical magic and captivating songs that'll instantly transport you back to those times when, as one crew member told me, "this was when music was relaxing, heart warming and you could understand the songs, lyrics and tunes. They were tunes you could hum and remember."

"I Surrender!" When you see this photo of mine, you may wonder what on earth a Nazi airman is doing aboard the Lane. I was totally surprised when I saw him, but we were told he'd been "rescued" by the ship, and said he knew someone on board. Well, he was paraded all over the Lane's decks looking for the person he supposedly knew. It turns out he was bluffing, he did not know anyone. But this is a wonderful photo opportunity and yes, you can get your photo taken - as I did - with him before he goes back to the ship's Brig

Are YOU ready for lunch? As the Lane sails lazily along the coast of gorgeous Catalina Island, the Lane serves up a delicious buffet style lunch - it's included in the cost of your adventure. The day I sailed there was a really tasty chicken entree with all the trimmings, some very California type salads, and yes, a delicious dessert. As I said, this is the way to enjoy a one day spectacular that only takes place in Los Angeles.

Action Stations
It seems the Nazi from the enemy air force had somehow managed to contact the Luftwaffe, because word was received on the Lane's bridge that some enemy fighters were on the way to "attack" the ship. So the guns' crews were told to "make ready for action" and all eyes were on the horizon for enemy aircraft. Tension aboard the ship was palpable, and everyone had their cameras ready so they could capture this incredible moment of their cruise. Just like me, they wanted to get all the action - I took this photo of the Armed Guard getting ready to fire their guns, and during WW2 it was US Navy personnel who manned the guns on all Victory and Liberty ships. As an old timer told me, "this was another very dangerous job on these ships during any convoy."

"We hit her!"
A loud cheer goes up from the crew and, of course the whole ship, as passengers loudly cheer as they see one of the "attacking" aircraft "hit" and belching smoke as one of the Lane's gun scores a "hit." This is one of the most exciting moments on this action packed cruise, as the Lane re-creates that portion of a WW2 convoy where the ships' were massacred by enemy aircraft. Although all the guns on the Lane open fire, they use only blanks, but the noise and real excitement of everything (as you see from this photo of mine) is tremendously thrilling - and I know that you, just like me, will want to film (and video) these magical minutes. As the headline to my story indicates, there is nothing like it anywhere else in America. After it was all over, a fellow passenger said to me, "Yes, what an exciting few hours this has been, and I see now why Lane crew members say that this is a one-of-a-kind tourist event."

A Final Goodbye!
One of the other aspects to this "attack," is that almost as soon as the "enemy" aircraft start attacking the ship, two American fighters come to the ship's rescue - as you might be able to see in this photo of mine, the last two aircraft have US markings - the other 4, are all from the Luftwaffe. So that everyone on board gets to see them "close up and personal," the entire squadron of six aircraft do a fly over of the ship after the event. The airplanes are actually all AT-6s from WW2, and are part of what's called The Condor Squadron, and they're all based at Van Nuys Airport. I should also mention that due to the possibility of inclement weather (foggy or overcast) this attack only takes place "weather permitting."

In Conclusion

If you're in the Los Angeles area, and would like to enjoy this cruise yourself, their final cruise of this year is on September 26th and 27th. Tickets can be purchased online at lanevictory.tix.com - For more information about the ship, see the Lane's nifty website at www.lanevictory.org - you can also reach them by phone at (310) 519-9545. Of all the offbeat and nifty things I've seen and done in my life, this 7 hour cruise on the S.S. Lane Victory is among the Best of the Best because it really is unique - and yes, totally spectacular.