Courtesy Photo | Bldg. M-32 Marine Eagle at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, taken Jan. 7, 2007.... read more read more
A new era of Federal ownership and operation began for the Gosport Navy Yard in 1801. It was during this period that lands were purchased and plans were made to improve the yard. A growing need for security of materials, tools and ships resulted in October 1801 by a Marine guard force being ordered to Gosport. Their original mission was "guard the property of the United States deposited in the Navy Yard."
As today, priorities of security details are subject to change and on August 6, 1804 the Marines were ordered to detach and were sent to Washington to support operations against the Tripolitan pirates. Returning in November of 1807 the Gosport Marine presence has remained continuously and served our nation as the country's second oldest post, only to Washington, until it closed on September 30, 1978.
Our Marines were first housed and operated out of barracks of wood, then brick, within several different areas of the shipyard. These wooden accommodations in the early 1800s were described as "miserable huts of wood, wanting much repair." It is reported that the officer's toilets were in a detached building with the seats hanging out over the water and exposed to mosquitoes in the summer and icy winds in the winter.
By the later part of the 1880s, plans were made to construct permanent barracks, being a large brick structure along Third Street, at the location of our former swimming pool and the old tennis courts. Despite this more modern brick facility it was still lacking for adequate space and mission support qualities (sound familiar?).
Congress approved monies in 1902 to construct our current M-32 structure and other supporting Marine officers housing all of brick (only Quarters M-1 survives) focused around a large parade ground as the shipyard expanded west. Years later, in response to world events and the eventual outbreak of World War I the surrounding area saw further increase of Marines at Norfolk and Building M-22 was constructed as a sea school.
Building M-32 traditionally traces its opening to around 1905. It was a Marine barracks and the central administrative structure for the Marine detachment at Norfolk for many decades. The focus of the images connected to this story show Building M-32 at various times throughout its honored service.
The Marine Corps color detail lowered the flag in front of building M-32 for the last time on September 30, 1978. Even though this historic event happened 44 years ago this month some of us remember it well. It was also at that time entry to the perimeter gates were passed off to contracted guard services.
The air of professionalism that the Marines stationed here at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard was always in accordance with their motto in Latin that means always faithful - "Semper Fidelis."
| Date Taken: | 09.21.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.21.2022 08:15 |
| Story ID: | 429755 |
| Location: | PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 664 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Our Yard History: Building M-32 - Marine Barracks & Headquarters, by Marcus Robbins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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