AFRANIA

3D Model

Afrania was built by the Grant Smith-Porter Company in Portland, Oregon, for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) as a Ferris-type wooden cargo vessel. Launched on November 21, 1918, Afrania was not in service during the war, however, it made at least one known trans-Atlantic voyage to Rouen, France, delivering a cargo of redwood in the summer of 1919. Afrania then returned to Norfolk, Virginia, and it is unknown if it made any additional voyages. Shortly thereafter, Afrania was sold for salvage, like many of the Emergency Fleet Corporation vessels built for the war, and was brought to Mallows Bay, Maryland. Today, Afrania is located within Mallows Bay - Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. The hull of the ship supports a dense growth of vegetation, including swamp dogwood, yellow iris, star of Bethlehem, and false indigo. A large American elm stands 33 feet tall aft of a brick pile located midships. Model by Allyson Ropp/NOAA.