Programs, Events, & Volunteers
Upcoming Events
The Final Salvage: Characterizing and Evaluating Wooden Shipwreck Degradation in Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
Join us for a special presentation from maritime archaeologist and former Dr. Nancy Foster scholar, Allyson Ropp, on her dissertation research of the Mallows Bay Ghost Fleet.
In 1932, the remnants of over 100 United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation wooden steamship hulls were abandoned to the elements in Mallows Bay. Once active contributors to America’s coastal trade, they found more use as salvageable structures for future construction. But, 1932 was not their final salvage. Throughout their construction and life at sea, breakdown occurred. This breakdown has continued to today and will continue into the future. This breakdown and degradation is not only cultural, relying on humans to dismantle and alter the hull, but it is also natural, driven by complex interactions within the surrounding ecosystem.
In this presentation, we will explore the life and degradation of one of these Emergency Fleet Corporation hulls embedded in the mud of Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. Using the exposed remnants of Aowa, we will track the vessel’s construction and use life, uncovering periods of damage and degradation, before moving into its abandonment in the bay, tracing its relationships with the surrounding ecosystem and the implications of these relationships for its future.
When: Monday, November 9th from 6:00pm - 7:00pm ET
Where: Nanjemoy Community Center (4375 Port Tobacco Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662)
Fall Hike at Mallows Bay Park
Join Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary and Walk Charles County for a guided fall hike at Mallows Bay Park! Celebrate the seasonal shift while exploring the vibrant fall colors, historic shipwrecks, and the dynamic ecosystems and wildlife that make Mallows Bay so special. Children and leashed dogs are welcome.
Trail Details:
- Distance: ~2.5 miles
- Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours
- Surface: packed dirt with exposed roots
- Not wheelchair or stroller accessible
Where: Mallows Bay Park (1440 Wilson Landing Rd, Nanjemoy, MD 20662)
When: Saturday, November 14 at 12:00 pm
Be a Volunteer
All national marine sanctuaries rely on the energy and passion of volunteers and there are many ways to be involved. Check this page for information about upcoming events, and learn more about our many community science volunteer programs here. To add your name to our list of interested volunteers or to inquire about other opportunities, please reach out to mallows.bay@noaa.gov
Force Blue
Force Blue is a volunteer organization that unites two worlds by helping veterans and helping the environment. A team from Force Blue volunteered to conduct an initial survey of the subaquatic vegetation in Mallows Bay - Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. The data that they collected provides much needed information on the various species and the health of the sanctuary.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation enhances national marine sanctuaries in their goal to protect essential U.S. marine areas and to ensure a healthy ocean.