Mare Island preserved a federal naval presence and the repair and arsenal capacity needed on the Pacific coast during the Civil War. Farragut had also built relationships with labor leaders, officials, and wealthy Californians while organizing the yard. Many local power brokers knew him more directly than they knew the distant federal leadership in Washington. His public rejection of secession may therefore have reinforced Union allegiance through a trusted local naval reputation as well as through national politics.
Notable Point · 2:09:20-2:12:32
Mare Island networks reinforce California's Union loyalty
Farragut's shipyard work gave the Union both Pacific naval infrastructure and personal influence among California's political and economic leaders.