A whale or a submarine? That was the question on everyone’s mind near Naval Base Point Loma after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Today, we explore Naval Base Point Loma. This base has a rich history. It stretches back centuries.
Naval Base Point Loma’s story began long before the United States existed. Prehistoric peoples and Native Americans lived here thousands of years ago. Archeological sites date back 7,000 years.
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrived. He was a Portuguese navigator serving Spain. He explored the area for six days. Cabrillo claimed the area for Spain. He named the port San Miguel Bay.
Later, in 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino visited. He was a Spanish trader. He renamed the bay San Diego. This honored San Diego de Alcala, a Franciscan brother. The first Catholic mass in California occurred here. A monument at the Naval Base Point Loma chapel marks the spot.
The Spanish built a fort in 1797. It guarded the bay’s entrance. The fort was made of adobe. It had a nine-pound cannon. They called it Fort Guijarros. This means cobblestones in Spanish. Sailors later used these stones as ballast. This led to the name Ballast Point. Both Fort Guijarros and Ballast Point are historical landmarks.
President Fillmore set aside land for military use in 1852. This became Fort Rosecrans. It was named after General Rosecrans. In 1898, the Army built a coast artillery installation. It remained active until 1945.
The U.S. Navy took over Fort Rosecrans in 1959. In 1963, the Navy Submarine Support Facility was established. The base became a shore command in 1974. It served submarines and training facilities. In 1981, it was named Naval Submarine Base.
In 1995, the Navy downsized. Commands were decommissioned. In 1998, six Point Loma naval installations merged. This created Naval Base Point Loma.
Today, Naval Base Point Loma hosts many important commands. These include the Third Fleet and the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command. It also houses the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. Submarine Squadron Eleven is here too. The base supports seven submarines. It even has a floating dry dock.
During World War II, there were fears of Japanese submarines. Sonar picked up underwater sounds. People wondered if they were submarines or migrating gray whales. Coastal San Diego is on a whale migration route.
Naval Base Point Loma has a history as deep as the ocean it protects. From Spanish explorers to modern naval operations, it has played a vital role. Its story continues to evolve. It is a key part of San Diego’s identity.