Shipyard Highlights

Ronna Bolante

Photos courtesy of THe US Naval Historical Center, Paradise of the Pacific, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, US Navy National Archives and US Navy.

1887

Under the Reciprocity Treaty, King Kalakaua allows the U.S. to establish a coaling and repair facility at Pearl Harbor.

1908 U.S. Congress appropriates $3 million to establish the “Navy Yard Pearl Harbor” and dredge an entrance to the channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1911

The nation’s first large warship, the California, passes through the narrow entrance to Pearl Harbor.

1913

Drydock 1 collapses during construction due to underground pressure.

1915

An F-4 submarine sinks off Honolulu, killing 21—the U.S. Navy’s first submarine disaster. Shipyard workers and sailors raise and tow the sub to the Yard for refitting.

1937

Work begins on the concrete moorings along Ford Island known as Battleship Row.

Dec. 7, 1941

The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor.

1942

Adm. Chester Nimitz presents the Navy “E” pennant to the shipyard for its production efficiency.

Dec. 1945

The Navy Yard Pearl Harbor officially becomes the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as part of the effort to separate military from industrial operations.

1950-1953

During the Korean War, the shipyard activates mothballed ships and repairs 3,000 ships.

1960

The shipyard dry-docks its first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Swordfish.

1963-1969

During the Vietnam War, Pearl Harbor’s 5,000 shipyard employees repair 800 ships a year.

 

1969

The shipyard repairs the USS Enterprise, after the Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier experienced an accidental rocket explosion, killing 28 crewmen. Work was done in two 12-hour shifts, seven days a week to get the ship seaworthy in 49 days.

1978

The USS Los Angeles, the first of the Los Angeles class of submarines, is homeported in Pearl Harbor. 

1998

The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard merges with the Intermediate Maintenance Facility to become a single regional U.S. Navy submarine and ship maintenance facility, performing both short- and long-term repairs.

2000

The transport ship USS Denver collides with its refueling tanker off Honolulu, tearing off three-quarters of its bow. Shipyard workers’ emergency repairs return Denver to sea within two weeks. 

2008

The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard turns 100.