The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, which is just west of the major Hawaiian city, Honolulu. The Naval Shipyard takes up much of Pearl Harbor and is recognized as the headquarters for the United States Pacific Fleet.
The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard has a very interesting past because the way it was established is unlike any other Yard. The United States discovered a strong interest in the Sandwich Islands in the early 19th century as a result of American citizens embarking on adventurous voyages of whaling and trading ships throughout the Pacific Ocean. Throughout the early 1800s, the United States began establishing ports throughout all throughout the Pacific Ocean. At this time though, no one referred to the area as Pearl Harbor, but rather Wai-Momi, which literally meant “Water of the Pearl” or “Pearl Water”.
In 1868, the Commander of the Pacific Fleet visited the islands to look after “American interests.” In 1891 President Harrison urged his Congress to develop and improve Pearl Harbor as a naval station, as the world’s strategic interests expanded into the Pacific. The U.S. Navy was building steel warships then, and was seeking bases for its expanding fleet.
The United States Congress passed as Act in May of 1908 that officially created the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard territory of Hawaii and they also awarded them almost $3 million to help build it. That was exactly 100 years ago and since then, the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard has seen the world’s Navies transition “from sail to steam to nuclear power.” The workers at this Naval Yard have seen two world wars in their time. “They rebuilt the United States fleet after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. They have supported the nation’s defense in conflicts in Korea; Vietnam; the decades-long Cold War; more recently, Operations Desert Storm/Desert Shield; and Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.” The Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard is still in operation today and continues to help the Navy stay engaged on the front line of the Global War on Terror.
