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Mallows Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Accomac

Built as the Virginia Lee in 1928 at Quincy, Massachusetts, the ship participated in World War II. During the war, it provided escort duty in convoys (groups of ships) and carried essential war materials. After the war, and many owners later, it worked as a ferryboat between Boston, Plymouth, and Provincetown. While on the way to Houston, Texas, the ship was damaged in a storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. It was repaired and sold again with the ability to carry 70 cars and 1,200 passengers. A fire in 1964 made repair of the ship impossible. Around 1973, it was brought to Mallows Bay.

 

 

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Starboard bow view of Virginia Lee (later Accomac) coming into a harbor, date and location unknown. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Starboard bow view of Virginia Lee (later Accomac) coming into a harbor, date and location unknown. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Crowded deck view of Holiday, looking aft filled with passengers, dated September 3, 1949. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Crowded deck view of Holiday, looking aft filled with passengers, dated September 3, 1949. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Interior view of Accomac, date and location unknown. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Interior view of Accomac, date and location unknown. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). View of Virginia Lee in 1942, having undergone structural updates, passing through Cape Cod Canal on its way to transatlantic convoy duty for the Navy during World War II. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). View of Virginia Lee in 1942, having undergone structural updates, passing through Cape Cod Canal on its way to transatlantic convoy duty for the Navy during World War II. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Starboard side view of Accomac, date and location unknown. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Starboard side view of Accomac, date and location unknown. (Source: The Mariners' Museum and Park, Newport News, Virginia). Close up of Accomac, as part of a larger image mosaic that utilized drones. (Source: Duke University/NOAA). Close up of Accomac, as part of a larger image mosaic that utilized drones. (Source: Duke University/NOAA).

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