Naval Station Treasure Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Naval Station Treasure Island |
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| San Francisco | |
Headquarters Building at US Naval Station Treasure Island
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 Naval Station Treasure Island
Naval Station Treasure Island
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| Coordinates | 37°49′26″N 122°22′16″W / 37.824°N 122.371°W |
| Type | Navy Station |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States Navy |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1942 |
| In use | 1942–1997 |
Naval Station Treasure Island was a special place where the United States Navy used to operate. It was located on Treasure Island in the beautiful San Francisco Bay. This naval station was active for many years, from 1942 until 1997.
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A Busy Hub During World War II
During World War II, Treasure Island became a very important naval base. It was a school where sailors learned about electronics and radio communication. It also served as a main spot for sailors heading out to the Pacific Ocean on ships and submarines, and for those returning home.
The naval station also had an airfield for different types of aircraft. This included airships, blimps, planes, and seaplanes. Seaplanes would land in a special area called the Port of Trade Winds Harbor. A square in front of the main Administration Building was named after Rear Admiral Hugo Wilson Osterhaus. This was to honor his hard work in setting up the naval station and its airfield.
Honoring Heroes: Theatres on the Base
On December 9, 1945, three theatre buildings on the base were named after brave Navy heroes. These heroes had sadly died in action during World War II.
- Theatre One was named for Doris Miller. He was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross award for his bravery.
- Theatre Two was named for Edward O'Hare, who received the Medal of Honor.
- Theatre Three was named for Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone of the USMC. He also received the Medal of Honor.
These naming ceremonies were even broadcast on a national radio show called Orson Welles Commentaries. The base commander and the famous actor Orson Welles were part of the event. They even interviewed family members of the heroes. The heroes were chosen after a contest in the base's newspaper, The Masthead.
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Training for Special Missions
After World War II, a special training center was built on the island. It taught sailors how to clean up after nuclear contamination. In 1956, they even built a full-sized model of a Navy ship. It was called the USS Pandemonium (PCDC-1). This ship was built on land. Radioactive materials were placed on it to train crews. They learned how to find and clean up radioactive substances. The Pandemonium was used until 1969. It was later moved and taken apart in 1996.
During the 1960s to 1980s, Treasure Island was used for fire fighting and damage control training. Sailors learned how to fix damage to ships. The base had a special trainer called the "USS Buttercup". This was a static (non-moving) trainer used for practicing ship repairs during battle. The airfield was later only used for helicopter landings.
Sailors also received training for Nuclear, Biological, Radiological, and Chemical Warfare at Treasure Island. This was part of their Hull Maintenance Technician training. The base also trained Electronics Technicians until 1974.
In 1996, Treasure Island Naval Station was closed. The Presidio of San Francisco Army Post also closed around the same time. Both were opened to public use, but with certain rules. Treasure Island is now part of San Francisco city. However, the Navy still owns some parts of it. The naval station was chosen for closure in 1993, and Navy operations officially ended in 1997. Some parts of the property were given to other government groups. The rest of the land is now open for new buildings and projects.
Different Names Over Time
The naval base on Treasure Island had a few different names during its history.
- 1941-1947: Naval Training and Distribution Center (TADCEN) Treasure Island
- 1947-1975: Naval Station (NAVSTA) Treasure Island
- 1975-1980: Naval Support Activity (NSA) Treasure Island
- 1980-1997: Naval Station (NAVSTA) Treasure Island
Environmental Concerns
After the Naval Station closed in 1997, people started living and working on Treasure Island. However, there are some environmental concerns. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the state's Department of Toxic Substances Control, some areas of the island's ground are contaminated. This means they have toxic substances. For example, in 2013, levels of Caesium-137 were found to be three times higher than before. This is believed to be from the base's past use. It might be from ships that were contaminated during nuclear testing after the war. It could also be from the nuclear training facility that was once there.
