Warships of Mare Island Shipyard during World War 2

Of the many shipyards used by the United States Navy during the Second World War, few were as busy as the Mare Island Shipyard in California. Famous as the first United States Naval Base on the Pacific Ocean, Mare Island was a hive of activity during World War 2. While the shipyard did produce some warships in the form of submarines and submarine tenders, the yard was heavily involved with repairing and refitting ships operating in the Pacific. It was ;largely thanks to Mare Island that many US Warships were able to be rapidly repaired and put back into the fight quickly. In this article, we collected some of the photos that were taken at Mare Island showing warships at the yard. While Mare made it a point to capture multiple angles, we focused on the bow and stern shots.

USS Southard (DMS-10) – Clemson Class Destroyer

The Clemson class destroyer USS Southard off of Mare Island Shipyard in May of 1942. At this point in time, Southard was technically a destroyer-minesweeper (The “DS” designation) since 1940. Southard visiting Mare in May to undergo temporary repairs for minor damages sustained after six months of rapid convoy escort missions between Hawaii and the West Coast of the United States.

USS Porter (DD-356) – Porter Class Destroyer

USS Porter (DD-356), the lead ship of the Porter class, cruising off Mare Island Shipyard on July 10, 1942. Her heavy gun armament, eight 5″ guns in four twin mounts, is easily seen. Following the Attack on Pearl Harbor, Porter was withdrawn to the West Coast, operating as part of TF1. She went to Mare for a brief refit before being redeployed to Hawaii again in August of 1942.

USS Fletcher (DD-445) – Fletcher Class Destroyer

The destroyer USS Fletcher (DD-445), leadship of the famous Fletcher class destroyer. Fletcher traveled to Mare Island Shipyard for overhaul from July to August 1943. Fletcher had seen hard service since her commissioning on in June of 1942. This visit to Mare Island was the first major overhaul the Destroyer had. She received many enhancements during this overhaul, including new weaponry and electronics.

USS Barb (SS-220) – Gato Class Fleet Submarine

The Gato class fleet submarine USS Barb (SS-220) off of the Mare Island Shipyard during trials on May 3, 1945. The submarine was undergoing refit at the time. Barb was seeing heavy service at this time, having completed several war patrols after arriving in the Pacific in March the previous year.

USS Wahoo (SS-238) – Gato Class Fleet Submarine

USS Wahoo (SS-238) leaving Mare Island on July 14, 1943 to conduct trials following an overhaul at the Shipyard. The date places this overhaul between Wahoo’s fifth and sixth war patrol. By this time, Wahoo was one of the most successful submarines in the United States Navy. During her last three patrols (totaling just 25 days on actual patrol), she sank over 93,000 tons of enemy shipping and set a US record (for the fastest time to sink such tonnage) in the process.

USS Balao (SS-285) – Balao Class Fleet Submarine

USS Balao at Mare Island Shipyard on October 25, 1944. Balao was the first of the Balao class submarines, an improvement over the preceding Gato class. Balao had completed her sixth war patrol when she was ordered back to Mare Island for overhaul. After the overhaul, lasting from August to October, Balao immediately returned for Pearl Harbor and an eventual four more war patrols.

USS Independence (CV-22) – Independence Class Light Carrier

USS Independence cruising off of Mare Island Shipyard on July 13, 1945. At this time, the carrier still carried the “CV” designation. However, just a few days after this photo was taken the carrier, along with her sisters, would regain the “CVL” designation. CVL meaning that Independence was classified as a light aircraft carrier.

USS Richmond (CL-9) – Omaha Class Light Cruiser

The Omaha class light cruiser USS Richmond (CL-9) at Mare Island in September of 1943. Richmond had just participated in the Aleutian Islands campaign. The cruiser was not damaged but was in need of a general overhaul after months of continuous service. Immediately after her overhaul and modernization was complete at Mare Island, Richmond sailed North again. She would spend the majority of the war off the Aleutian and Kuril Islands.

USS Honolulu (CL-48) – Brooklyn Class Heavy Cruiser

The Brooklyn class light cruiser USS Honolulu (CL-48) off of Mare Island on November 12, 1943. During the Battle of Kolombangara (July 13, 1943), Honolulu took severe damage. A torpedo stuck her just aft of the bow, leading to the entire bow collapsing. After retiring to Tulagi for temporary repairs, the cruiser then went to Hawaii and finally Mare Island for complete repairs.

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in 1944 – Portland Class Heavy Cruiser

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) departing Mare Island Shipyard for trials on December 9, 1944. The cruiser had undergone general refitting and overhaul at the shipyard from October 19, 1944 until December 10, 1944. She received minor alterations, including modifications to her superstructure/masts as well as receiving updated electronics.

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) in 1945 – Portland Class Heavy Cruiser

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) back at Mare Island on July 10, 1945, only a few months after the previous 1944 photos. On March 31, 1945, a Japanese Ki-43 managed to strike Indianapolis with a bomb. The bomb penetrated all the way through the ship before exploding under her keel. Severely damaged, Indianapolis had to once again return to Mare Island for repairs. Due to the cruiser’s location and timing at Mare Island, she was chosen to transport components for the Atomic Bombs back to the Pacific upon the completion of her repairs.

USS San Francisco (CA-38) – New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser

The heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) sailing out of Mare Island Shipyard on October 13, 1944 to undergo trials. The cruiser was at Mare Island from August 16, 1944 to October 17, 1944 for a general refit.

USS Astoria (CL-90) – Cleveland Class Light Cruiser

The Cleveland class light cruiser USS Astoria at Mare Island Shipyard on October 21, 1944. Astoria was freshly built, having only completed her shakedown cruise about three months prior in the Atlantic. The cruiser only stopped at Mare Island briefly before continuing on to Hawaii.

USS Pensacola (CA-24) – Pensacola Class Heavy Cruiser

The cruiser USS Pensacola at Mare Island on May 20, 1944. The cruiser had returned to Mare for periodic refit. The refit was brief, lasting only from May 6 until May 20. Upon completion, Pensacola was quickly ordered to the Northern Pacific. She would operate in Alaskan waters for a few more months to provide fire support to forces there.

USS Baltimore (CA-68) – Baltimore Class Heavy Cruiser

USS Baltimore, leadship of her class of heavy cruiser, off of Mare Island Shipyard on October 25, 1943. Unlike many of the ships in this article, Baltimore was not at Mare for any work. Instead, the cruiser was merely visiting prior to traveling to Hawaii. Baltimore was brand new, having only arrived in the Pacific a few weeks earlier. She spent some time training off the West Coast during the time this phot was taken.

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