About this Unit
The Pacific Reserve Fleet, Long Beach, was established after World War II as part of the U.S. Navy's network of reserve fleets, commonly known as "mothball fleets." Located at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California, it served as a storage site for decommissioned and surplus naval vessels, preserving them for possible future reactivation during times of crisis, such as the Korean and Vietnam Wars. At its peak, the fleet housed dozens of ships, including battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and auxiliary vessels. The reserve fleet gradually diminished in size as ships were either scrapped, sold, or reactivated, and the Long Beach site eventually closed in the 1990s as part of post-Cold War military reductions.
Historical Facts
• Post-WWII Formation: The Pacific Reserve Fleet, Long Beach was established after World War II to store surplus U.S. Navy ships that were no longer needed in active service.
• Location: The fleet was located at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in Long Beach, California, using the protected waters of the harbor for mooring mothballed vessels.
• Fleet Size: At its peak, the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Long Beach was home to hundreds of ships, including battleships, aircraft carriers, destroyers, cruisers, and auxiliary vessels.
• Korean War Reactivation: Many ships stored at Long Beach were reactivated for service during the Korean War, highlighting the strategic importance of reserve fleets.
• Vietnam War Support: The reserve fleet once again provided ships that were recommissioned for duty during the Vietnam War, demonstrating its ongoing value in times of conflict.
• "Mothball Fleet": The ships in the Pacific Reserve Fleet were commonly referred to as the "Mothball Fleet" because they were preserved in a state that allowed for rapid reactivation if needed.
• Preservation Techniques: The Navy used a variety of preservation methods, including dehumidification and protective coverings, to prevent rust and deterioration of the ships.
• Landmark Ship Storage: Notable vessels, such as the USS Missouri (BB-63) and USS Iowa (BB-61), spent time at the Long Beach reserve fleet before being reactivated or turned into museum ships.
• Cultural and Visual Impact: The sight of rows of inactive warships became a familiar and impressive landmark for residents and visitors to Long Beach throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
• Deactivation and Closure: As the Navy downsized and technology advanced, the need for large reserve fleets diminished. The Pacific Reserve Fleet, Long Beach was gradually emptied and the facility was closed in the 1970s, with remaining ships sold for scrap or transferred elsewhere.
