Mare Island Naval Shipyard

The Mare Island Shipyard is approximately 30 miles northeast of San Francisco and 60 miles from Sacramento, CA. Mare Island is one of the largest shipyards covering approximately 3.5 miles in length and one mile in width.

Mare Island Naval Shipyard is one of the oldest shipyards in US naval history. It was established by the US Navy in 1854. The first commandant of Mare Island was Commodore David G. Farragut. In the early days, the shipyard's main contracts involved the maintenance, overhaul and refueling of ships. It later expanded to include nuclear-powered ships. It was also responsible for providing logistical support and materials for a wide variety of other Navy functions.

The Mare Island Shipyard was responsible for building 512 ships and repairing hundreds more. Ships that were built during this time served as war machines in every conflict that the US has ever been involved in. The first ship that was ever built at Mare Island was a paddle-wheeled gunboat called "Saginaw", and was launched before the Civil War. The final ship that was launched out of this shipyard was a submarine called the U.S.S Drum. It was sent out to sea in 1970 during the Vietnam War.

During the Second World War this shipyard produced ships quickly and efficiently. They were responsible for building 17 submarines, 31 destroyer escorts, 33 small craft, and over 300 landing craft. Mare Island Naval Shipyard also built a destroyer named the USS Ward in only 17 days, setting a record that has not since been broken. By the 1960's, they were hired to build nuclear submarines, building 17 in total. The USS Drum was the final submarine that was completed. Mare Island was one of the most productive shipyards of its time.

The shipyard's facilities spanned over 4,000 acres. At its high point, during the Second World War, the shipyard employed over 46,000 people. On site, there were 996 buildings which held 10.5 million square feet of useable space. There were also 4 dry-docks, 20 ship berths, 3 finger piers, 21 industrial sites, a school, 2 day care centers, a medical clinic, 3 fire stations, and recreational facilities. These included a golf course, 2 athletic fields, 3 swimming pools, 9 tennis courts, riding stables and 416 housing units. This shipyard was its own functioning city.

Unfortunately in 1993, the Department of Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided that the shipyard should be closed. The closure was completed in 1996. Although it was one of the most productive shipyards of its time, there was a great deal of hazardous waste generated. This improper disposal of hazardous waste has caused many problems for the shipyard in recent years. Asbestos is among the most hazardous substances found in shipyards and many workers of these yards were exposed. Cleanup is a constant problem due to the sheer volume of waste that was accumulated over the years.

There are several shipyards that serve the United States Navy by producing ships for battle. They are located all over the country and each assists the military in different ways. However, the Mare Island Naval Shipyard will forever be remembered as the fastest shipyard to build a boat. It was also an asset through the building of countless other naval vessels.

Ships built by Mare Island Naval Shipyard:

Last modified: December 09 2009.