DURING MY TRIP TO THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA IN EARLY JUNE 2000, I TOOK A DAY AND VISITED THE TOWN OF VALLEJO AND THE FORMER NAVAL SHIPYARD @ MARE ISLAND (MINSY).
I DISCOVERED THROUGH LOCAL TOWNSPEOPLE THAT TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE ISLAND, ONE SIMPLY DRIVES UP TO THE GATE AND INDICATES THAT A GAME OF GOLF IS IN ORDER!
THE GUARD SWIFTLY WAVED ME THROUGH AND I FOUND MYSELF ONCE AGAIN ON THE INSTALLATION I HAD LEFT IN DEC, 1986. I FOUND THE ISLAND IN AN ADVANCED STATE OF DISREPAIR. WEEDS HAVE GROWN UP AROUND THE BUILDINGS AND THE ONLY PEOPLE I SAW WERE BORED SECURITY GUARDS, VARIOUS SY WORKERS, AND SALVAGERS.
I FEEL SORRY THAT MINSY HAS SHUT DOWN OPERATIONS. IT WAS ONCE A GREAT, PROUD, BUSTLING SHIPYARD AND I HOPE THAT ONE DAY IT IS REACTIVATED. |
