The Dangerous Military History of California's Mare Island

Comments · 291

• DP

  @Dproud2700 · 7 days ago

  Little known fact.  In 1941 during America's Neutral Period. Mare Island quietly brought into it's drydock the British Crusier HMS Liverpool which had been damaged during the Battle of Crete.  One of the photos shows HMS Liverpool in the drydock. The crusier was quietly repaired and returned to duty.  The second little known fact was the battleship Pennsylvania which was in drydock at Pearl Harbor when the attack occoured along with two destroyers which were badly damaged (but later repaired) A drydock crane operator constanly kept swinging his crane during the attack making it impossible for the Japanese to attack the Pennsylvania.  After the attack, the Pennsylvania was assessed and then sent to Mare Island for any damage and general repairs and work.  The Pennsylvania remained on the West Coast for a time until upgrades were done later.

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• AZ

  @azimuth361 · 7 days ago (edited)

  Thank you for not using an ai narrator.

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• SF

  @sfpbosb85 · 7 days ago

  My mom worked there from the mid 70’s until it closed in 95.

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• JU

  @justbeans707 · 7 days ago (edited)

  Im so excited you made this video. My great great great Grampa was Coxwain William Halford, who served on and saved the crew of the Saginaw. If you havent heard that story i highly recommend checking it out. &nbsp;<br><br>My parents met while working at mare island, and i spent my teens and early adult life exploring what was left. Ive camped in the old bunkers, climbed to the top of the cranes and photographed ever peice of history i could while it was still around.

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• EL

  @Elkzip · 5 days ago

  I started my federal career at Mare Island in 1980 to 1983 it was amazing the amount of skilled workers that worked there. The history there was very interesting to me. I think when it closed it should have been made a national historical park.

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• HE

  @heatherporterfield7343 · 7 days ago

  My Grandfather, Uncle , and Dad all worked on Mare Island.

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• CA

  @Cap6302 · 7 days ago

  One of the most interesting places on Mare Island is Cemetery. Sailors from all over the world were buried there. Francis Scott Key&apos;s daughter is also buried there. &nbsp;My Grandfather retired from there, and my father also worked there. &nbsp; I drilled as a Navy reservist in the late &apos;70&apos;s.

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• LI

  @libertysadvocate1947 · 3 days ago (edited)

  My father, a Lieutenant J.G., was a Communications Officer at Port Chicago near there during WW ll. The Atomic Bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were loaded onto the Indianapolis through his office for their trip to Tinian Island and a date with destiny. While Dad was finishing out his enlistment in 1947, I was born at Mare Island Naval Hospital. I learned more viewing this 24 minute video than I ever knew about Mare Island and am grateful for the person who suggested this topic as well as those who produced this video.

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• EN

  @enigma9273 · 5 days ago

  I look out my window and see the island every day. This was fascinating

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• J.

  @j.need4qlife483 · 7 days ago

  I visited Mare Island several times while it was still a Navy base. &nbsp;I was stationed at nearby Travis AFB and would drive hwy 37, which passed next to Mare Island. &nbsp;I at least got to see a few ships at its docks. &nbsp;That was during late 1980&apos;s before the BRAC closed Mare Island.

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• LT

  @lt.petemaverickmitchell7113 · 7 days ago

  GREAT video Ryan!<br>This is history we need to keep alive.<br>Unfortunately, history will repeat itself and we probably will be at war again in the Pacific, so it’s important to understand WWII history.<br>Thank you!

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• SH

  @shafferjoe1962 · 7 days ago

  One of my friends mother in law, was a welder on ships during WWII. She said she&apos;s loved her job and missed being a ship builder. <br>Way to go ladies, you all did a great job.

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