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World War II Database

Mare Island file photo [30894]

Mare Island Navy Yard

Type   3 Shipyard
Historical Name of Location   Vallejo, California, United States
Coordinates   38.090000000, -122.263333000

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Mare Island Navy Yard opened in 1854 as the first United States Naval base on the Pacific coast. It remained in operation for 142 years until its closure in 1996. Mare Island is located in Vallejo, California at the extreme northern edge of the San Francisco Bay complex. Despite its name, Mare Island is considered a peninsula but its connection to the land is through a series of marshes and sloughs so it is effectively an island in terms of accessibility. Mare Island is separated from the City of Vallejo by the Napa River which offers the shipyard a naturally sheltered waterfront.

ww2dbaseThe Navy purchased the original 956 acres (3.9 km²) in 1853 and the base expanded to 5,200 acres (21 km²) by the time of its closing. Shipbuilding operations began on Sept 16 1854 under the command of then-Commander David Farragut. Mare Island served as a major Pacific Ocean repair station during the late 19th century, handling American as well as Japanese and Russian vessels. Ordnance manufacturing and storage were also two key functions at Mare Island for nearly all of its active service. In 1901, the Holland Torpedo Boat Company contracted with the iron works at Mare Island to build two Adder-class submarines, the USS Grampus (A-3) and USS Pike (A-5), which were the first United States Navy submarines built on the West Coast.

ww2dbaseDuring the early 20th century, Mare Island Navy Yard dispatched warships to the Pacific Northwest, Central America, and the Panama Canal to protect US political and commercial interests. Some of the support, logistics, and munitions requirements for the Spanish-American War were filled by Mare Island. Mare Island also sent men, materiel, and ships to San Francisco to assist following the 1906 earthquake. By 1912, Mare Island was home to the West Coast's only Marine Corps recruit training depot, until it was relocated to San Diego in 1923.

ww2dbaseIn March 1917 Mare Island suffered a major explosion of munitions barges. The blast killed 6 people, wounded 31, and destroyed some port facilities. The blast was linked to the German saboteur Lothar Witzke, who was caught and imprisoned in 1918.

ww2dbaseMare Island saw major shipbuilding efforts during World War I. Mare Island holds a shipbuilding speed record for a destroyer that still stands, launching the USS Ward (DD-139) in just 17½ days in May-June 1918. The only US dreadnought battleship built on the West Coast, the USS California (BB-44), was launched at Mare Island in 1919. Noting the power of underwater warfare shown by German U-boats in WWI, the US Navy doubled their Pacific-based submarine construction program at Puget Sound Navy Yard by founding a submarine program at Mare Island in the early 1920s.

ww2dbaseJust as World War I was ending, the Spanish influenza pandemic struck, the 20th century's worst public health disaster until the HIV-AIDS crisis. Unlike many other public health officials at the time, the medical staff at Mare Island Naval Hospital aggressively prepared for the flood of expected influenza cases before the onslaught hit. As a result, the epidemic was managed at the Navy Yard so much better than in the surrounding areas that the civilian community essentially drafted the Navy's medical staff to take over their public health programs over the objections of their own civilian leaders. Once involved, the Navy staff operated with great alacrity and success allowing the impact of the crisis in the surrounding areas to be dramatically reduced.

ww2dbaseLeading up to and throughout World War II, the Mare Island Navy Yard specialized in submarines, and except for a few submarine tenders, no more surface ships were built there. During World War II, Mare Island base facilities included a hospital, ammunition depot, paint and rubber testing laboratories, and schools for firefighters, opticians, and anti-submarine attack. 17 submarines, 4 submarine tenders, 31 destroyer escorts, and 300 landing craft were built at Mare Island during the war and hundreds of vessels were serviced or overhauled at Mare Island. With up to 50,000 workers, the facility reached peak capacity for shipbuilding, repair, overhaul, and maintenance. Many different kinds of seagoing vessels, including both surface men-of-war and submarines and even Royal Navy cruisers and destroyers and Soviet Navy subs, were serviced or overhauled during the war.

ww2dbasePatriotism and esprit de corps among the workers ran very high. Mare Island's military and civilian workforce raised almost $76 million in war bonds; enough to pay for every one of the submarines built at Mare Island during the war.

ww2dbaseAfter World War II, many decommissioned naval ships and submarines were placed in a reserve fleet at Mare Island. Mare Island continued building non-nuclear subs through the Cold War. In 1955, the shipyard became one of the few to build and overhaul nuclear submarines, including several missile submarines. The last nuclear submarine built in California, the USS Drum, was launched in 1970. In 1972, the Navy stopped building new nuclear submarines at Mare Island, though overhaul of existing vessels continued. During the Vietnam War, the US Navy transferred their Brown Water Navy Riverine Training Operations from Coronado, California to Mare Island. Navy Swift Boats and River Patrol Boats trained in the sloughs of the Napa River delta adjacent to Mare Island.

ww2dbaseDuring its 142 years of operation, Mare Island Navy Yard was responsible for the construction of over 500 naval vessels and overhauling thousands of other vessels. Mare Island was identified for closure in 1993 and the facility was decommissioned on April 1, 1996.

ww2dbaseSince the closing, a wide range of private sector tenants have occupied some of the Mare Island spaces but the majority of the former facility is vacant and the long term future of the property remains uncertain.

ww2dbaseAmong the seagoing surface ships constructed at Mare Island Navy Yard were (partial list):
1858 USS Saginaw - sloop-of-war, wood
1872 USS Mohican - sloop-of-war, wood
1875 USS Monadnock - monitor, steel
1886 USRC Cosmos - Revenue Cutter, wood
1904 USS Intrepid - training ship, steel barque
1907 USS Prometheus - collier, steel
1911 USS Jupiter - collier, steel. Later converted to aircraft carrier USS Langley
1913 USS Kanawha - tanker, steel
1913 USRC Guard - Revenue Cutter Service harbor tug, wood
1913 USS Palos - gunboat, steel
1913 USS Monocacy - gunboat, steel
1914 USS Maumee - tanker, steel
1915 USS Cuyama - tanker, steel
1916 USS Shaw, destroyer - steel
1916 USS California - battleship, steel (32,500 ton)
1916 USS Caldwell - destroyer, steel
1917 Fifteen submarine chasers - wood
1917 Fairfax - destroyer (Destroyers for Bases Agreement)
1917 Taylor - destroyer
1918 Boggs - destroyer (World War II)
1918 Kilty - destroyer (Guadalcanal campaign - Philippines campaign (1944-45) - Battle of Okinawa)
1919 Kennison - destroyer (World War II)
1918 Ward - destroyer (Attack on Pearl Harbor - Guadalcanal campaign - Philippines campaign (1944-45))
1918 Claxton - destroyer (Destroyers for Bases Agreement)
1919 Hamilton - destroyer (invasion of North Africa - Philippines campaign (1944-45))
1920 Montana - battleship (43,200-ton) (scrapped under terms of the Washington Naval Treaty)
1920 Litchfield - destroyer (World War II)
1920 Zane - destroyer (Attack on Pearl Harbor - Guadalcanal campaign)
1921 Wasmuth - destroyer (Attack on Pearl Harbor)
1922 Trever - destroyer (Attack on Pearl Harbor - Guadalcanal campaign)
1922 Perry - destroyer (Attack on Pearl Harbor - Battle of Peleliu)
1922 Decatur - destroyer (World War II)
1927 USS Nautilus - submarine (sank 6 ships in 14 World War II Pacific patrols)
1928 USS Chicago - cruiser (Battle of Savo Island - Battle of Rennell Island)
1931 USS San Francisco - cruiser (Attack on Pearl Harbor - Battle of Cape Esperance - Naval Battle of Guadalcanal - Battle of the Philippine Sea - Philippines campaign (1944-45) - Battle of Okinawa)
1934 USS Smith - destroyer (Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands - Philippines campaign (1944-45))
1934 USS Preston - destroyer (Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands - Naval Battle of Guadalcanal)
1935 USS Henley - destroyer (Attack on Pearl Harbor - Guadalcanal campaign)

Submarines:
1936 USS Pompano - submarine (sank 6 ships in 7 World War II Pacific patrols)
1936 USS Sturgeon - submarine (sank 9 ships in 11 World War II Pacific patrols)
1937 USS Swordfish - submarine (sank 12 ships in 13 World War II Pacific patrols)
1939 USS Fulton - submarine tender (World War II)
1939 USS Tuna - submarine (sank 4 ships in 13 World War II Pacific patrols)
1939 USS Gudgeon - submarine (sank 11 ships in 12 World War II Pacific patrols)
1941 USS Sperry - submarine tender (World War II)
1941 USS Silversides - submarine (sank 23 ships in 14 World War II Pacific patrols (3rd highest number for a U.S. submarine))
1941 USS Trigger - submarine (sank 18 ships in 12 World War II Pacific patrols (11th highest number for a U.S. submarine))
1942 USS Bushnell - submarine tender (World War II)
1942 USS Wahoo - submarine (sank 20 ships in 7 World War II Pacific patrols (6th highest number for a U.S. submarine))
1942 USS Whale - submarine (sank 9 ships in 11 World War II Pacific patrols)
1942 USS Sunfish - submarine (sank 15 ships in 11 World War II Pacific patrols)
1942 USS Tunny - submarine (sank 7 ships in 9 World War II Pacific patrols; Vietnam War)
1942 USS Tinosa - submarine (sank 16 ships in 11 World War II Pacific patrols)
1942 USS Tullibee - submarine (sank 3 ships 4 World War II Pacific patrols)
1943 USS Howard W. Gilmore - submarine tender (World War II)
1943 USS Seahorse - submarine (sank 20 ships in 8 World War II Pacific patrols (6th highest number for a U.S. submarine))
1943 USS Skate - submarine (sank 10 ships in 7 World War II Pacific patrols)
1943 USS Tang - submarine (sank 24 ships in 5 World War II Pacific patrols (2nd highest number for a U.S. submarine))
1943 USS Tilefish - submarine (sank 2 ships 6 World War II Pacific patrols)
1944 USS Spadefish - submarine (sank 21 ships in 5 World War II Pacific patrols (4th highest number for a U.S. submarine))
1944 USS Trepang - submarine (sank 11 ships in 5 World War II Pacific patrols)
1944 USS Spot - submarine (sank 1 ship in 3 World War II Pacific patrols)
1944 USS Springer - submarine (sank 4 ships in 3 World War II Pacific patrols)
1945 USS Nereus - submarine tender
1945 USS Stickleback - submarine (1 World War II Pacific patrol)
1947 USS Tiru - submarine
1951 USS Bass - submarine
1951 USS Bonita - submarine
1957 USS Grayback - submarine
1957 USS Sargo - submarine
1959 USS Halibut - submarine
1959 USS Theodore Roosevelt - submarine
1960 USS Scamp - submarine
1961 USS Permit - submarine
1961 USS Plunger - submarine
1962 USS Andrew Jackson - submarine
1963 USS Woodrow Wilson - submarine
1963 USS Daniel Boone - submarine
1963 USS Stonewall Jackson - submarine
1964 Bathyscaphe Trieste II - deep submergence bathyscaphe
1965 USS Kamehameha - submarine
1965 USS Mariano G. Vallejo - submarine
1967 USS Gurnard - submarine
1968 USS Guitarro - submarine
1969 USS Hawkbill - submarine
1969 USS Pintado - submarine
1970 USS Drum - submarine

ww2dbaseSources
Wikipedia
US Naval History and Heritage Command
US National Park Service
Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square

Last Major Update: Jan 2014

Ships Constructed at Mare Island Navy Yard

Ship NameYard NoSlip/Drydock NoOrderedLaid DownLaunchedCommissioned
California1 Aug 1921
Gudgeon
Langley (Langley-class)
San Francisco
Skate
Spadefish
Stickleback
Sturgeon
Swordfish
Tilefish
Trigger
Tullibee
Tuna
Ward
Chicago10 Apr 19309 Mar 1931
Hamilton8 Jun 191815 Jan 191920 Jan 1930
Nautilus10 May 192715 Mar 19301 Jul 1930
Preston (Mahan-class)27 Oct 193422 Apr 193627 Oct 1936
Henley28 Oct 193512 Jan 193714 Aug 1937
Silversides4 Nov 194026 Aug 194115 Dec 1941
Wahoo28 Jun 194114 Feb 194215 May 1942
Whale28 Jun 194114 Mar 19421 Jun 1942
Sunfish (Gato-class)25 Sep 19412 May 194215 Jul 1942
Tunny10 Nov 194130 Jun 19421 Sep 1942
Tinosa21 Feb 19427 Oct 194215 Jan 1943
Doherty28 Feb 194229 Aug 19426 Jan 1943
Austin14 Mar 194225 Sep 1942
Gilmore1 Apr 194222 Oct 194217 Apr 1943
Seahorse1 Jul 19429 Jan 194331 Mar 1943
Tang15 Jan 194317 Aug 194315 Oct 1943
Rall24 May 194323 Sep 19438 Apr 1944
Trepang25 Jun 194323 Mar 194422 May 1944
Spot24 Aug 194319 May 19443 Aug 1944
Springer30 Oct 19433 Aug 194418 Oct 1944


Mare Island Navy Yard Interactive Map

Photographs

US Navy collier USS Jupiter at Mare Island, California, United States, 16 Oct 1913. In 1922 Jupiter was modified to become the United States’ first aircraft carrier and was renamed USS LangleyBattleship USS Oregon in drydock at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States, Sep 1917.
See all 509 photographs of Mare Island Navy Yard

Maps

Excerpt from the 1946 United States Army Corps of Engineers map of San Pablo Bay showing the Mare Island, Vallejo, California, and the Naval Shipyard.A composite map of Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States, 1954 Jun 30. Note that north is in the about 4:00 o’clock direction.
See all 3 maps of Mare Island Navy Yard

Mare Island Navy Yard Timeline

16 Sep 1854 Mare Island Navy Yard opened in California, United States.
18 Oct 1911 William Leahy served as naval aide to US President William Howard Taft at the keel laying ceremony of USS Jupiter, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
1 Aug 1919 USS S-38 arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
16 May 1921 Joseph Rochefort took a test at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for transferring to the regular navy.
14 Feb 1931 USS S-29 departed Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
4 Nov 1940 Gato-class submarine Silversides was laid down at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
13 Apr 1941 USS Astoria entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for a refit.
28 Jun 1941 The keel of submarine Whale was laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States.
28 Jun 1941 The keel of submarine Wahoo was laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
11 Jul 1941 USS Astoria completed her refit at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
16 Jul 1941 USS Astoria departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
26 Aug 1941 Gato-class submarine Silversides was launched at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
25 Sep 1941 The keel of submarine Sunfish was laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
10 Nov 1941 The keel of submarine Tunny was laid down at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
15 Dec 1941 Gato-class submarine USS Silversides was commissioned at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States with LtCdr C.C. Burlingame in command.
16 Dec 1941 Cruisers USS Phoenix and USS St. Louis departed arrived at San Francisco, California, United States. Phoenix entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard. St. Louis departed the same day escorting a convoy to Honolulu, Hawaii.
22 Jan 1942 The overhaul of USS S-28 at Mare Island Navy Yard was completed.
24 Jan 1942 USS Honolulu entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California for general upkeep.
14 Feb 1942 Submarine Wahoo was launched at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by the wife of William C. Barker, Jr.
18 Feb 1942 Destroyer USS Shaw arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs following the Pearl Harbor Attack.
21 Feb 1942 Gato-class submarine Tinosa was laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
23 Feb 1942 USS St. Louis arrived at San Francisco, California and entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
24 Feb 1942 USS St. Louis entered drydock #2 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
26 Feb 1942 Destroyer USS Shaw entered Drydock No. 1 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs following the Pearl Harbor Attack.
1 Mar 1942 USS St. Louis was floated out of drydock #2 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
14 Mar 1942 Submarine Whale was launched at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by the wife of Captain A. D. Denny, the commanding officer of the shipyard.
1 Apr 1942 USS St. Louis shifted from San Francisco to Mare Island, Vallejo, California.
2 May 1942 Sunfish was launched at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by Mrs. J. W. Fowler.
1 Jul 1942 The keel of submarine Seahorse was laid down at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
13 Jul 1942 Fitted with an entirely new bow section, destroyer USS Shaw departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard bound for San Diego, California.
15 Jul 1942 USS Sunfish was commissioned into service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States with Commander R. W. Peterson in command.
12 Aug 1942 USS Wahoo departed Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
9 Sep 1942 USS Permit began a scheduled overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
11 Sep 1942 Destroyer USS Ralph Talbot arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs to battle damage.
27 Sep 1942 USS Honolulu arrived in San Francisco Bay and entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo for overhaul.
2 Oct 1942 USS Honolulu entered Drydock #3 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
7 Oct 1942 Submarine Tinosa was launched at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
8 Oct 1942 USS Honolulu was floated out of drydock #3 at Mare Island and returned to the repair piers.
31 Oct 1942 USS St. Louis arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California for a period of overhaul.
8 Dec 1942 USS Skipjack arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California for a scheduled overhaul.
9 Jan 1943 Submarine Seahorse was launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by the wife of Chester C. Smith.
15 Jan 1943 Submarine USS Tinosa was commissioned at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States with Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Randall “Dan” Daspit in command.
20 Jan 1943 USS Brennan was commissioned into service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
3 Mar 1943 Portland arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard in California, United States for repairs and an overhaul.
6 Apr 1943 USS Salt Lake City and USS Bailey arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California.
29 May 1943 USS Wahoo arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
4 Jun 1943 USS Nashville arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs and overhaul.
25 Jun 1943 The keel for the future submarine Trepang was laid down at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, United States.
8 Jul 1943 USS Bailey departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard bound for San Diego but after an hour and a half, Bailey’s starboard reduction gears were stripped by a broken tooth. Bailey returned to Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
20 Jul 1943 USS Wahoo completed a period of trials and training off California, United States. After returning to Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States, squadron commander Captain John B. Griggs, Jr. came aboard to present awards.
21 Jul 1943 USS Wahoo departed Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
2 Aug 1943 USS Gunnel began a period of overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
17 Aug 1943 Submarine Tang was launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States; she was sponsored by Mrs. Antonio S. Pitre.
17 Aug 1943 USS St. Louis arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
20 Aug 1943 USS St. Louis entered drydock #3 at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard
24 Aug 1943 The keel of submarine Spot was laid down at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
6 Sep 1943 USS Honolulu arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California.
23 Sep 1943 USS Gar entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
28 Sep 1943 USS Bailey put into Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
6 Oct 1943 USS St. Louis was floated out of drydock #3 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
8 Oct 1943 After a complete replacement of the starboard reduction gear assembly, USS Bailey cleared Mare Island and departed San Francisco Bay bound for San Pedro, California.
30 Oct 1943 The keel of submarine Springer was laid down at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
31 Oct 1943 USS Gunnel completed a period of overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
22 Nov 1943 USS Gar completed overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
29 Nov 1943 USS Mingo entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
12 Dec 1943 USS Harder arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
15 Dec 1943 USS Nicholas arrived in San Francisco Bay and entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard to begin an overhaul period.
26 Jan 1944 Destroyers USS Nicholas and USS O’Bannon arrived at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
28 Jan 1944 At Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Admiral Chester Nimitz and Rear Admiral James Kauffman, Commander Destroyers Pacific, came aboard USS Nicholas and presented the ship’s company with a Presidential Unit Citation for their performance in the action at Kula Gulf, 5-6 July 1943.
3 Feb 1944 USS Mingo departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States after her overhaul.
19 Feb 1944 USS Harder completed its scheduled overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States.
2 Mar 1944 USS Proteus entered Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States for repairs.
19 Mar 1944 USS Proteus exited Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States and departed for Midway.
23 Mar 1944 Submarine Trepang was launched at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, United States.
25 Apr 1944 USS Skipjack arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California
19 May 1944 Submarine Spot was launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by Mrs. A. A. Gieselmann.
25 May 1944 USS Portland arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs and an overhaul.
19 Jun 1944 Gato-class submarine USS Silversides arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California for a thorough overhaul lasting two-and-a-half months.
7 Jul 1944 USS Cummings arrived at San Francisco, California, United States after completing her loan to the Royal Navy in the Indian Ocean and entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for maintenance.
3 Aug 1944 Submarine Springer was launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by the wife of M. S. Tisdale.
7 Aug 1944 USS Portland departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard after overhaul bound for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
6 Sep 1944 USS Puffer entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
18 Sep 1944 USS Spot completed fitting out at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
21 Sep 1944 Submarine USS Bowfin entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for a much needed overhaul and upgrade that would last three months. While at Mare Island, Bowfin received a change of command.
7 Oct 1944 USS Astoria arrived at San Francisco, California, United States and entered the Mare Island Naval Shipyard to repair the damaged turbine.
21 Oct 1944 USS Astoria completed her repairs at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
21 Nov 1944 USS Puffer completed her scheduled overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
5 Dec 1944 USS Cero entered Mare Island Navy Shipyard in Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
16 Dec 1944 USS Ray arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
4 Jan 1945 USS Dragonet arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for repairs.
8 Jan 1945 USS Springer departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
26 Jan 1945 USS Whale arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
26 Feb 1945 USS Cero completed her scheduled overhaul at Mare Island Navy Shipyard in Vallejo, California, United States.
26 Mar 1945 USS Dragonet departed Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
14 Apr 1945 USS Hoe entered Mare Island Navy Yard, California, United States for overhaul.
25 Apr 1945 USS Kimberly arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
26 Apr 1945 USS Whale completed her repairs and overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
4 May 1945 USS Mingo entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
7 May 1945 USS Sunfish entered Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
19 May 1945 Destroyer USS Shaw arrived in San Francisco, California and entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard for repairs.
5 Jul 1945 USS Hoe completed her overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, California, United States and departed for the western Pacific.
31 Jul 1945 USS Sunfish completed her scheduled overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
5 Aug 1945 Destroyer USS Shaw departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard bound for San Diego, California
7 Aug 1945 USS Parche entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for an overhaul.
9 Aug 1945 USS Mingo completed her overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
5 Sep 1945 USS Springer arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
5 Sep 1945 USS Sunfish arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
14 Sep 1945 USS San Diego arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
1 Nov 1945 USS San Diego entered drydock No. 2 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
15 Nov 1945 USS San Diego exited drydock No. 2 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
22 Nov 1945 USS San Diego completed her scheduled overhaul and departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
6 Dec 1945 USS Guitarro was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
12 Dec 1945 USS Macabi entered Mare Island Navy Yard, California, United States for inactivation overhaul.
13 Dec 1945 USS Tunny was decommissioned from service and was placed in the Mare Island Group of the 19th Fleet in reserve.
26 Dec 1945 USS Sunfish was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
2 Jan 1946 After overhaul at Mare Island and training operations out of San Francisco Bay, USS Parche departed San Francisco, California United States for Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
29 Jan 1946 USS Segundo entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
2 Mar 1946 USS Seahorse was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California, United States.
13 Mar 1946 USS Archerfish completed her preinactivation overhaul in San Francisco, California, United States and proceeded to the nearby Mare Island Navy Yard.
14 Mar 1946 USS Mero arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States and was assigned to the 19th Fleet.
15 Apr 1946 USS Sea Cat arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
16 Apr 1946 USS Dragonet was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
10 May 1946 USS Segundo completed her overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
14 May 1946 USS Baya was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
31 May 1946 USS Menhaden was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States. She was placed in the US Navy Pacific Reserve Fleet.
12 Jun 1946 USS Archerfish was decommissioned from service and was placed in the Pacific Reserve Group berthed at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
15 Jun 1946 USS Mero was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States and was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
19 Jun 1946 USS Spot was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
27 Jun 1946 USS Trepang was decommissioned from service and entered the reserves at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, United States.
26 Jul 1946 USS Sea Cat completed her overhaul work at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
20 Sep 1946 USS Hawkbill was decommissioned from US service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
14 Oct 1946 USS Parche entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for inactivation overhaul
11 Dec 1946 USS Parche was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California, United States.
1 Jan 1947 USS Mingo was decommissioned at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States and entered the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
6 May 1947 USS Becuna entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
22 Sep 1947 USS Becuna completed her scheduled overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
15 Nov 1947 USS Boarfish arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
21 Feb 1948 USS Boarfish departed Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States.
18 Sep 1948 USS Sterlet was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
19 Nov 1948 USS Blackfin was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Navy Yard in California, United States.
16 May 1949 USS Segundo entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
23 Jun 1949 Submarine USS Tinosa was placed out of commission at San Francisco and laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island.
24 Aug 1949 USS Segundo completed her overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
10 Feb 1950 USS Capitaine was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
30 Jun 1950 USS Barbero was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
26 Aug 1950 USS Sterlet was recommissioned into service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States with Lieutenant Commander George W. Kittredge in command.
10 Jul 1951 USS Charr arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States to be converted to a Four Engine Fleet Type Snorkel Submarine.
19 Nov 1951 USS Charr completed her conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
4 Jan 1952 Submarine USS Tinosa was reactivated from reserves and recommissioned at Mare Island, California.
13 Aug 1952 USS Menhaden was decommissioned from service at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for for Guppy IIA conversion.
30 Sep 1953 Lieutenant Commander J. O. House, Jr. relieved Commander W. P. Murphy at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States as the commanding officer of USS Carbonero.
1 Dec 1953 USS Sterlet received a new commanding officer at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
2 Dec 1953 Submarine USS Tinosa was decommissioned for the last time at Mare Island, California and placed in reserves.
1 Feb 1955 USS Barbero entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, United States for conversion to launch Regulus nuclear cruise missiles.
30 Jun 1955 USS Charr arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States. Lieutenant Commander R. A. Harris relieved Commander W. A. Whitman as the new commanding officer.
25 Oct 1955 USS Barbero completed her conversion into a guided missile submarine at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
29 Nov 1955 USS Charr departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
6 Jan 1956 USS Rock entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, United States for overhaul.
23 May 1956 USS Rock completed her overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
23 Feb 1957 USS Capitaine was recommissioned into service at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
3 Jun 1958 USS Charr departed Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for San Diego.
6 Nov 1962 While at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, United States, submarine Hackleback was reclassified an auxiliary research submarine and received the new designation AGSS-295.
30 Jun 1966 USS Charr arrived at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States for overhaul.
12 Dec 1966 USS Charr completed her overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States.
14 Dec 1966 USS Caiman entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States for overhaul.
20 Dec 1966 USS Caiman entered drydock at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
1 Mar 1967 While at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, United States, submarine Hackleback was struck from the US Naval Register.
21 Mar 1967 USS Caiman exited drydock at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
29 May 1967 USS Caiman completed overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California, United States.
4 Dec 1968 Submarine Hackleback, physically at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California, United States, was sold to the Zidell Explorations of Portland, Oregon, United States for scrapping.
13 Sep 1969 USS Rock was decommissioned for the second and final time at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in California, United States, and was struck from the US Naval Register.
1 Apr 1996 The Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, California, United States was decommissioned from service.




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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Anonymous says:
25 May 2017 10:54:17 AM

Steel operation existed in1979-1990's;Do you know details of?

2. Myra MIllard says:
11 Mar 2018 03:18:57 PM

What ships were in port from Vietnam in November 1970?
3. EB says:
4 Apr 2020 10:33:09 PM

When a submarine came in for overhaul, how much leave did the crew have? I see that subs were in overhaul for a little over two months. How would I find out how much time an individual crewman might have on leave during this time? Thank you.
4. EB says:
17 May 2020 10:33:55 AM

I found the answer to my own question above, in Flint Whitlock and Ron Smith's "The Depths of Courage". An enlisted man who didn't have any specific duties connected with the refit could request 30 days' home leave. Page 256ff
5. Richard Borchard says:
4 Sep 2020 10:32:36 AM

I have a 1942 chevrolet 3/4 ton pickup id number U.S.N. 183102, that I believe was used at Mare Island Navel base. I am hoping you have information confirming this and any other information on this vehicle.
Thanks. Richard Borchard.
6. Jean Banish says:
17 Nov 2022 04:47:15 PM

My dad worked on subs at Mare Island. Is there away to find out what subs he worked on and what he did?
Thank you

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WW2-Era Place Name Vallejo, California, United States
Lat/Long 38.0900, -122.2633
Mare Island Navy Yard Photo Gallery
US Navy collier USS Jupiter at Mare Island, California, United States, 16 Oct 1913. In 1922 Jupiter was modified to become the United States’ first aircraft carrier and was renamed USS LangleyBattleship USS Oregon in drydock at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, United States, Sep 1917.
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