Sent from ordnance inspection work in Virginia, Farragut became Mare Island's inaugural commander and organized its physical, political, and supply infrastructure. It took roughly four years before the yard could be commissioned in 1858. Earlier US ships had operated in the Pacific using existing facilities, but Mare Island provided an American base capable of sustaining naval forces. Senior commanders had to build support systems for future fleets as well as direct ships already available.
Chapter · 53:47-56:26
Building Mare Island and a two-coast navy
Farragut spent years establishing Mare Island Navy Yard, creating the relationships and support base needed for a durable US naval presence on the Pacific coast.