About this Unit
The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, located in Bremerton, Washington, was established in 1891 as a naval station and began shipbuilding in 1896. During World War I and World War II, the shipyard played a crucial role in constructing, repairing, and modernizing U.S. Navy vessels, including battleships, aircraft carriers, and destroyers. The shipyard was instrumental in repairing many Pacific Fleet ships damaged in the attack on Pearl Harbor and subsequent battles. Today, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard remains a major center for the maintenance, modernization, and decommissioning of Navy ships and submarines, supporting the fleet's operational readiness.
Historical Facts
•
Establishment in 1891: Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) was established in 1891 in Bremerton, Washington, originally to repair and maintain U.S. Navy vessels operating in the Pacific.
•
World War I Contributions: During World War I, the shipyard expanded rapidly, building 25 new ships and repairing dozens more to support the war effort.
•
Largest Shipyard on the West Coast: By World War II, PSNS was the largest naval shipyard on the West Coast, employing over 32,000 workers at its peak.
•
Japanese Surrender Ships: The USS Missouri, on which the Japanese signed their surrender in 1945, was repaired at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard before returning to duty in the Pacific.
•
Historic Dry Docks: The shipyard's Dry Dock #1, built in 1896, is the oldest in the Pacific Northwest and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
•
Cold War Submarine Overhauls: PSNS was a key site for the maintenance, overhaul, and refueling of nuclear-powered submarines and aircraft carriers during the Cold War.
•
Nuclear Ship Recycling Program: The shipyard is now the only U.S. Navy facility authorized to recycle and decommission retired nuclear-powered vessels, safely removing nuclear reactors and disposing of radioactive components.
•
Environmental Cleanup Efforts: The shipyard was designated a Superfund site in 1994 due to hazardous waste, and has since undergone extensive environmental cleanup and restoration.
•
Ghost Fleet: The "Mothball Fleet" at PSNS, officially the Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, stores decommissioned ships awaiting disposal or possible reactivation.
•
Continuing Legacy: Today, PSNS & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) continues as a critical center for the repair and modernization of Navy ships, employing thousands of civilians and military personnel.
