Station Mair Island Vallejo California

• Oldest Naval Shipyard on the West Coast: Mare Island Naval Shipyard, located in Vallejo, California, was established in 1854 and is recognized as the first United States naval base on the Pacific Ocean. • Named after a Spanish Shipwreck: The name "Mare Island" originates from an incident in 1835, when General Vallejo's mare swam to the island after a boat capsized in the Carquinez Strait. • Civil War Contributions: During the American Civil War, Mare Island was crucial for building, repairing, and arming Union Navy ships, supporting the West Coast's defense. • Submarine Production Hub: The shipyard constructed more than 500 naval vessels, including 17 nuclear submarines, making it a pivotal site for submarine production, especially during World War II and the Cold War. • Women in the Workforce: During World War II, thousands of women joined the workforce at Mare Island as "Rosie the Riveters," contributing to shipbuilding and war efforts. • Major WWII Activity: At its peak during World War II, over 40,000 workers were employed at Mare Island, with the shipyard operating 24/7 to support the war effort. • Japanese Surrender Ceremony: USS Sablefish (SS-303), a submarine built at Mare Island, was present at Tokyo Bay during the official Japanese surrender on September 2, 1945. • Innovations and Firsts: Mare Island was responsible for several U.S. Navy "firsts," including the first Navy hospital on the West Coast and the first dry dock in the region. • Historic Cemetery: The Mare Island Naval Cemetery is one of the oldest military cemeteries on the West Coast and contains graves of Civil War veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, and victims of the USS Maine explosion. • Base Closure and Legacy: The shipyard was decommissioned in 1996 as part of post-Cold War downsizing, but much of the area is now a National Historic Landmark and houses museums, parks, and preserved naval buildings.