About this Unit
Naval Base Kitsap – Keyport, historically known as the Keyport Naval Shipyard, was established in 1914 as the Pacific Coast Torpedo Station near Keyport, Washington. Initially tasked with the development, testing, and maintenance of torpedoes, the facility played a crucial role during both World Wars, supporting the U.S. Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities. Over the decades, its mission expanded to include research and support for cutting-edge undersea weaponry, unmanned systems, and fleet readiness. Today, Keyport is an integral part of Naval Base Kitsap, providing technical support, maintenance, and logistics for the Navy’s undersea and surface warfare systems.
Historical Facts
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Establishment: Keyport Naval Shipyard, officially known as Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport, was established in 1914 on Puget Sound, Washington, as a torpedo station to support the Pacific Fleet.
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Nickname: The facility is often referred to as “Torpedo Town, USA” due to its long history of torpedo development, testing, and maintenance.
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World War II Role: During World War II, Keyport played a crucial role by repairing, maintaining, and supplying torpedoes and mines, supporting the massive naval operations in the Pacific Theater.
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Testing Ranges: Keyport operates extensive undersea test ranges, including the Dabob Bay Range, used to evaluate torpedoes, undersea vehicles, and sonar systems.
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Environmental Stewardship: Keyport is known for its environmental efforts, including habitat restoration projects and the cleanup of legacy contamination from early 20th-century operations.
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Torpedo Innovations: The shipyard has been the site of major technological advances, including the development and refinement of the Mark 48 and Mark 54 torpedoes used by the US Navy.
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Not Just Torpedoes: Beyond torpedoes, Keyport has supported work on Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), mine countermeasures, and submarine rescue technology.
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Cold War Activities: During the Cold War, Keyport was instrumental in maintaining the readiness of the Navy’s submarine-launched torpedo arsenal, including secretive work on advanced acoustic homing devices.
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Historic Landmark: Several buildings at Keyport are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its over 100 years of naval heritage.
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Community Integration: Keyport is a vital part of the local community, hosting annual open house events, educational tours, and supporting STEM outreach to inspire future generations of engineers and scientists.
