Namecki

Namecki is a “Ferris” built vessel, one of many that make up the Ghost Fleet. A “Ferris” built vessel gets its name from Theodore E. Ferris, a senior architect for the United States Shipping Board (USSB). The idea was to standardize these emergency ships with similar designs that could be built at yards all across the United States. Each “Ferris” ship measured approximately the same, 282 feet long, and 3,500 deadweight tons. Four of these vessel types were built at the Tampa Dock Company, with Namecki being the first.

Listen to this historical perspective from Charlie Fuss and his connection to Mallows Bay through his father, a ship builder from Tampa, Florida.

Type 10 Design M starboard side dazzle paint (camouflage) for standard, wooden 3,500 ton vessel. Length of vessel 281 feet, 6 inches. Print number 80. (Source: Courtesy of the Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design, Special Collections).

Type 10 Design M port side dazzle paint (camouflage) for standard, wooden 3,500 ton vessel. Length of vessel 281 feet, 6 inches. Print number 66. (Source: Courtesy of the Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design, Special Collections).

Close up view of Namecki, using drone image mosaic taken by Duke University. (Source: Duke University/NOAA).

Vessel Namecki displaying dazzle paint (camouflage), 1918. Dazzle paint was used in an effort to confuse the enemy by attempting to disguise the speed and heading (direction) of the vessel. (Source: Courtesy of the Fleet Library at Rhode Island School of Design, Special Collections).

Getting There:

Mallows Bay Park

1440 Wilson Landing Road Nanjemoy, MD 20662
(301) 932-3470
Get Directions

AMENITIES:
Include a boat ramp, soft launch, portable toilets, parking, walking trail, interpretive signs, and picnic area.

HOURS:
The park is open daily from 5:30 am to sunset.

Namecki Images

Getting There:

Mallows Bay Park