Mallows Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mallows Bay-Widewater Historic and Archeological District
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A shipwreck at Mallows Bay, February 2011
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 Location in Maryland
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off Sandy Point Charles County, Maryland |
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| NRHP reference No. | 15000173 |
| Added to NRHP | April 24, 2015 |
Mallows Bay is a small bay on the Maryland side of the Potomac River in the United States. This special bay is home to what many call the "largest shipwreck fleet in the Western Hemisphere." It's often described as a "ship graveyard" because of all the old ships resting there.
In July 2019, Mallows Bay was officially named a National Marine Sanctuary. This means it's a protected area, important for both its history and its natural environment.
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The Amazing Ghost Fleet
The "Ghost Fleet" of Mallows Bay is a name for the hundreds of old ships whose remains are still in its shallow waters. It's the biggest collection of shipwrecks in the entire Western Hemisphere! There are about 230 ships from the United States Shipping Board Merchant Fleet Corporation. More than 100 of these ships are wooden steamships. They were built to help transport goods across the Atlantic Ocean during World War I.
Why So Many Ships?
These wooden ships were built quickly because there wasn't enough steel during World War I. However, by the time many of them were finished, the war was over. This meant they were not really needed anymore. The U.S. Navy didn't want the ships. They were stored in the James River at a high cost. So, they were sold to a company called Western Marine & Salvage Company.
What Happened to Them?
In 1925, Western Marine & Salvage Company moved the ships to the Potomac River near Widewater, Virginia. Then, they towed them to Mallows Bay. The company later ran out of money. The ships were burned and left where they lay. During World War II, another company, Bethlehem Steel, tried to get metal from the abandoned ships. They even built a special basin to help with this work.
Visiting Mallows Bay Today
You can visit the ships through Mallows Bay Park. It's located at 1440 Wilson Landing Road in Nanjemoy, Maryland. There's a trail that goes around the park and the old salvage basin. In 2010, a boat ramp and pier were built. This makes it easy for people to get out on the Potomac River. Many people enjoy canoeing or kayaking among the ship ruins. The ships have become like an underwater reef, providing a home for lots of different wildlife.
Mallows Bay was recognized as an important historical and archaeological site in 2015. It was then listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In July 2019, it became a National Marine Sanctuary.
One of the most easily seen ships at Mallows Bay is the S.S. Accomac.
Gallery
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Aerial photograph from 1936. Mallows Bay is on the Potomac River, between Sandy Point and Liverpool Point.
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Valuable maritime heritage
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Almost submerged shipwrecks in February 2017
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