Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, was the first US Navy base on the West Coast. Established in 1854, Mare Island would be the site of several “firsts” for the US Navy. Not only was it the 1st west coast base, but it was also the first navy radio station on the west coast and the site of the 1st Marine Corps basic training camp west of the Mississippi River. During World War II, it would evolve into one of the busiest naval shipyards in the world. Mare Island would also produce the only battleship ever built on the west coast – the USS California BB-44. After World War 2, Mare Island became the leading submarine port for the West Coast and home of the Pacific Reserve Fleet, or the “mothball” fleet. More than 500 naval vessels were constructed and thousands more overhauled before the yard closed on March 31st, 1996.
#unitedstatesnavy #pacificwar #worldwar2 #worldwar1 #civilwar #navalhistory #battleship #usnavy #submarine
source
My dad worked at Mare Island during the war. One time two ships were brought in that had been heavily damaged, so they spent a few months working on them. During that time a camaraderie developed between the workers and the sailors. Hi, Frank, how’s it going? I met a girl at the dance in Vallejo last night, name’s Lulu. And another sailor: my wife Fannie is pregnant. Finally, the day came for the ships to sail. A few weeks later dad read in the paper that the ships had been sunk. “NO!” Maybe there were survivors. But the article continued, “All hands were lost.” Cry. A year later I was born in Vallejo.😢🥺😱
Stationed on a submarine being overhauled there.
Why was this important naval yard closed the people running this country are morons
A real piece of American history!
my Dad got job there in 1940 then joined the army air core the day after Dec 8 1941
Closed that one and the one in Long Beach.
You would think that these could be considered essential to USA security??
I took the USS Cavalla SSN 684 through overhaul there 1987 – 1990
I was stationed at Mare Island for 2 ½ years in the early 80s. Great times.
closed dang
Should be reopened but Democrats
I had elders who worked there and Hunters Point Naval Shipyard during WW2.
…and like everything liberals touched, it closed its doors and disappeared into oblivion.
I was there from 79 – 80 for ship over haul an decommissioning of the USS Nautilus SSN -571