Ghost Fleet

Nature has transformed the shipwrecks of the Ghost Fleet into a series of distinctive islands, intertidal habitat, and underwater structure critical to fish, birds, and beavers. Over time, sediment and seeds gathered inside the hulls of several of the ships, turning them into human-made islands that are often referred to as “flowerpot” wrecks. Several of these wrecks serve as an extension of the land, stabilizing the shoreline and providing a place for lush plant life to grow. Terrestrial species like paw paw, red cedar, and persimmon trees can be seen on the wrecks, as well as marsh plants like marsh tickseed and pickerel weed. This habitat provides a home for several species, such as ospreys who build their nests on the wrecks, or beavers that have built a lodge in an unidentified vessel. Ultimately, these ships have turned into a vital part of the local ecology, allowing nature to thrive.