The Mare Island Naval Shipyard contains several hundred buildings and other structures, all erected at various times throughout the 120-year operation and constructed in a variety of architectural styles. Among these structures are the Naval Weapons Station, Marine Barracks, Nuclear Power School and Combat Systems Technical Schools Command, Hospital and Power Plant.
At the Southern tip of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard groupings of former magazine buildings still remain today even though the shipyard has been decommissioned for nearly 20 years. These buildings once stored a variety of ammunition for land and sea weaponry.
I've been told the walls of these buildings were constructed of concrete and the roofs of a metal material, so that during an accidental explosion, the blast would move vertically instead of horizontally.
Theatre, Mare Island Naval Shipyard
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was founded in 1854 in Northern California and was the only shipyard on the West Coast, until 1891. The base was in operation for almost 120 years before closing in 1996.
I shot this image last month with my good friend +Brian Matiash (who now lives in the Bay Area after getting a job with Google!) while out at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo. While not the most elaborate staircase, I loved the pastel colors and large windows in the lobby of this office-style building.
Processing:
I recently picked up a few of +Nicole S. Young's Lightroom presets and finished editing this image with a preset called 'Stormy Skies.' Though it was designed for landscapes, I felt the tones and clarity really helped this image pop.
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was in operation from 1854 until 1996, when the 'Base Realignment and Closure Program' shut down many military bases across the United States. It was the first west coast shipyard and was responsible for the construction of nearly one hundred ships and submarines during both World Wars.
Based on what little information I've found online, this building, at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, was where blasting and painting of military parts was done. The two main buildings, connected by a thin hallway of hooks on conveyor belts, contained groups of washers, blasters and driers.
Inside this dark building, located near the water in the Ammunition Depot of the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard, sits banks of battery charging stations. Sadly, there is little information published about most of the buildings in this section of the shipyard. I am not certain what the batteries were used for, but a number of signs point towards a forklift charging station and maintenance building.
Base facilities included a hospital, ammunition depot, paint and rubber testing laboratories, schools and four drydocks. During WWI and WWII, the shipyard constructed almost ninety vessels.
Low tide at the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Northern California.
(Night. 30 seconds. Lit by ambient light.)
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first US naval base on the Pacific Ocean. The land was purchased in the 1850's and shipbuilding began immediately. During the years of operation the shipyard constructed 89 vessels and WWI, Mare Island was a major player in the construction of ships. To this day, they hold the record for the quickest construction of a destroyer (built in just under 18 days).
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard closed in the 1990's as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Program, but most of the cranes, dry docks and buildings still remain.
Sunset light turns the glass windows into amber panes at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
Building A-75, which is connected to Building A-76 via a narrow corridor full of hooks on an overhead conveyor belt, has been referred to as the "Paint Building" for years, but sadly very little information can actually be found regarding this building.
The series of overheard conveyor belts, hooks and driers leads many to believe this building was where blasting and painting of parts were done during the years of operation at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
(Dark interior. Lit with LED flashlight from camera left and camera right.)
Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Vallejo, California.
Night. 65% moon. 2 minutes. Lit by mostly ambient light.
Building 121, the central power plant, was constructed in 1918.
The Mare Island Naval Shipyard was the first US Navy Base on the West Coast. The land was purchased in 1853 and shipbuilding was commenced in 1854. During WWI and WWII, the base was responsible for the construction of dozens of ships, including destroyers, battleships and submarines. The base closed in 1996 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Program.
Inside Building A-266 on the South side of the Mare Island Naval Base in Vallejo, CA.
(Night. 80 seconds. Lit by flashlight and exterior ambient light.)
