Mare Island in Vallejo in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023

1. Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past Marker

Inscription.
North Face:
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Honoring the thousands of Military and Civilians who made Mare Island one of the Great Navy Yards
1854 – 1996

West Face:
1854 – 1904
Commander Farragut assumes command September 16, 1854
USS SAGINAW Launched, First Mare Island constructed ship, March 3, 1859
Mare Island Earthquake, March 31, 1898
Quarters “A” Completed, 1901
St. Peter’s Chapel Completed October 13, 1901

South Face:
1904 – 1954
First flight deck USS PENNSYLVANIA, January 11, 1911
USS WARD Launched in 17 ½ days, World Record, June 1, 1918
Causeway opened July 3, 1919
Battleship USS CALIFORNIA Launched November 20, 1919
Submarine USS NAUTILUS Launched March 15, 1930

East Face:
1954 – 2004
Centennial Cavalcade, September 16, 1954
USS SARGO Launched, First Nuclear Submarine, October 10, 1957
USS MARIANO G. VALLEJO Launched October 23, 1965
USS DRUM Launched, Final launching, May 23, 1970
Shipyard Closed, March 31, 1996

Erected 2004.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Military. A significant historical date for this entry is September 16, 1854.

Location. 38° 5.878′ N, 122° 16.287′ W.

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Marker is in Vallejo, California, in Sonoma County. It is on Mare Island. Marker is on 8th Street west of Railroad Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The black granite obelisk is in Alden Park on the former Mare Island Naval Shipyard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vallejo CA 94592, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. H.B.M. Centurian Anchor (here, next to this marker); German Marder and Torpedo (within shouting distance of this marker); Farragut Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Officers' Houses (within shouting distance of this marker); Mare Island Navy Yard Work Bell (within shouting distance of this marker); A Large Carved Eagle (Wood) (within shouting distance of this marker); Breech Loading Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Marine Division Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Vallejo.

Also see . . .
1. Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Mare Island, California. Naval History and Heritage Command

"Mare Island Naval Shipyard...was the first Navy base on the West Coast. During World War II, it was to evolve into one of the busiest naval shipyards in the world. In its last 25 years of operation, it was the leading submarine port for the West Coast. More than 500 naval vessels were constructed and thousands
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023

2. Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past Marker
West Face
more overhauled before the yard closed in 1996. The island, technically a peninsula, is in the northern San Francisco Bay. On 18 September 1854, it was established to support the naval defense of the new Pacific Coast territories won from Mexico during the Mexican-American War."

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

2. USS Saginaw (Side-Wheel Steamer), 1860-1870.

"Saginaw, a side-wheel steamer, was the first vessel buit at Mare Island Navy Yard, California. Launched as Toucey in March 1859, she was renamed and commissioned in January 1860. Her initial duty was in the Far East and served with the East India Squadron off the Chinese coast protecting American citizens and suppressing pirates."

(Submitted on March 1, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

3. USS Pennsylvania (Armored Cruiser #4), later USS Pittsburgh (CA-4). "On January 18, 1911, Eugene Ely landed his Curtiss biplane on board Pennsylvania while she lay at anchor off Hunter's Point, California. This landing was the first time an airplane had been set down on a warship's deck." (Submitted on March 1, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

4. USS Ward Destroyer at Pearl Harbor.

"USS Ward (DD-139) is the most talked about destroyer from the Pearl Harbor attack. Not because the ship is incredibly impressive, but because she fired the first shots of WWII in the Pacific...but she sunk a submarine as well."

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023

3. Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past Marker

South Face

(Submitted on March 1, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

5. USS California (BB-44), 1921-1959.

"USS California, a 32,300-ton Tennessee class battleship, was built at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, and commissioned in August 1921. During the 1920s and 1930s, she actively participated in the activities of the United States Battle Fleet, often acting as flagship. In 1925, California was one of the ships that conducted a major trans-Pacific cruise to Australia and New Zealand."

(Submitted on March 1, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

6. Nautilus III (SS-168) 1930–1945. Naval History and Heritage Command

"Peering through a dense fog on the morning of 25 June 1942, while patrolling the entrance to Sagami Wan [Bay], Nautilus sighted the Japanese transport Keiyo Maru and fired a salvo of torpedoes. Despite hearing several explosions the attack caused only limited damage and Keiyo Maru steamed out of the area. At approximately 0825 that same morning, 60 miles southeast of Sagami Wan, Nautilus encountered the destroyer Yamakaze and fired another spread, recording the first fish as a “bull’s eye,” striking beneath the number two stack, amidships, while the second hit forward, producing “terrific damage.” Yamakaze sank by the bow and heeled over at approximately 34°34'N, 140°26'E, taking
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023

4. Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past Marker
East Face
with her Lt. Cmdr. Hamanaka Shuichi, her commanding officer, and his 227-man crew."

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

7. Mare Island Naval Shipyard Centennial Film 1954.

"This b&w 1954 film directed by Tom Mullahey and Doug Elleson celebrates the centennial anniversary of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINSY), tracing its history through two world wars."

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

8. Sargo II (SSN-583) 1958-1988.

"On 14 June [1960], an explosion and fire in the stern room, while the submarine was charging her oxygen tanks from the dock, killed one crew member and put her back in the shipyard for the remainder of the summer."

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

9. Mariano G. Vallejo (SSBN‑658).

"Mariana G. Vallejo, with two complete, equally trained crews, rotated at regular intervals to maximize patrol "on station" time, conducted shakedown and training exercises along the west coast, in the Caribbean, and off the coast of Florida."

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

10. Drum II (SSN-677) 1972–1995.

"The second Drum (SSN-677) was laid down on 20 August 1968 at Vallejo, Calif., by the Mare Island Naval
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, February 25, 2023

5. Pillar of the Future Built by the Pillars of the Past Marker
Shipyard; launched on 23 May 1970; sponsored by Mrs. William F. Bringle, wife of Vice Admiral William F. Bringle, Commander Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet; delivered on 1 April 1972 and commissioned at her building yard a fortnight later, on 15 April 1972, Comdr. James L. Willis in command."

(Submitted on March 6, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Admiral David Farragut image. Click for full size.

Wikipedia Public Domain

6. Admiral David Farragut

First Commander of Mare Island Navy Yard