Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego was a part of the United States Navy reserve fleets, also called a mothball fleet, used to store surplus ships after World War II. Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego was near Naval Base San Diego in San Diego, California. Some ships in the fleet were reactivated for the Korean War and Vietnam War. The reserve fleet stored post World War I ships, some that were reactivated for World War II.South Gate Annexyoutube.com, The Mothball Fleetyoutube.com The USN Mothball Fleet - Storing up for a rainy dayShips' Histories: Destroyer Escorts and Fast Destroyer Transports, by U.S. Navy, Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego Group, 1947
The USS Galveston (CL-93), a Cleveland-class cruiser, was the last ship to depart Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego. At the closing, only the Galveston and 11 other ships were remaining at the fleet. At its peak, 223 ships were stored in the fleet. The 12 rusty ships in fleet were sold off for scrapping and a few used for United States Navy target ships. Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego closed in June 1975.NY Times, San Diego Losiing Mothball Fleet, April 29, 1975US Navy, Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego
Pacific Reserve Fleet, San Diego ship examples In the 1950 and 1960 many ships were stored in the fleet: Seven Commencement Bay-class escort carriers Four Casablanca-class escort carriers Many Minesweepers, like the: USS Chief (AM-315) USS Zeal (MSF-131) USS Competent (AM-316) USS Symbol (MSF-123) USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) USS Aristaeus USS Midas (ARB-5) USS Oceanus (ARB-2) USS Zeus (ARB-4) USS Telamon (ARB-8) USS Sarpedon (ARB-7) USS Phaon (ARB-3)
See also USS Midway Museum
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