Naval Weapons Station Earle
Encyclopedia
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
base in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. Its distinguishing feature is a 2.9-mile pier in Sandy Hook Bay where ammunition can be loaded and unloaded from warships at a safe distance from land.
Naval Weapons Station Earle's history began in 1943, when World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
operations demanded an ammunition depot in the greater New York metropolitan area
New York metropolitan area
The New York metropolitan area, also known as Greater New York, or the Tri-State area, is the region that composes of New York City and the surrounding region...
. A board was established to locate a suitable site, and chose Sandy Hook Bay. The location provided a safe, sheltered, and nearby port where ships could take on ammunition. Nearby rail lines could bring in the ammunition from the west, where the majority of ammunition shipments originated. The rural area meant few local residents would be affected.
On August 2, 1943, construction began on Naval Ammunition Depot Earle, named after Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Ralph Earle
Ralph Earle (American naval officer)
Ralph Earle served the United States Navy during the Spanish-American War and World War I. He was the Chief, Bureau of Ordnance and retired as a rear admiral in 1927.-Early years:...
, the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance
Bureau of Ordnance
The Bureau of Ordnance was the U.S. Navy's organization responsible for the procurement, storage, and deployment of all naval ordnance, between the years 1862 and 1959.-History:...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. The depot was commissioned on December 13, 1943, though work continued on the military road and railway connecting the mainside complex, the waterfront complex and the pier, which stretches 2.9 miles (4.7 km) into the Sandy Hook Bay and comprises 2.9 miles (4.7 km) of pier / trestle surface area.
Earle continued to develop after World War II, keeping pace with the changing needs of the Navy. In 1974, the depot's name was changed to Naval Weapons Station Earle. The Station is divided into two sections: Mainside, located in parts of Colts Neck Township
Colts Neck Township, New Jersey
Colts Neck is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 10,142.What is now Colts Neck Township was established by an act of the New Jersey Legislature as Atlantic Township on February 18, 1847, from portions of Freehold...
, Howell Township
Howell Township, New Jersey
Howell is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 51,075.Howell Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1801, from portions of Shrewsbury Township...
, Wall Township
Wall Township, New Jersey
Wall Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 26,164.Wall Township was formally incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1851...
, and Tinton Falls
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,053 people, 5,883 households, and 3,976 families residing in the borough. The population density was 965.7 people per square mile . There were 6,211 housing units at an average density of 398.4 per square mile...
at 40°15′00"N 74°09′00"W; and the Waterfront Area (which includes the pier complex), on Sandy Hook Bay, located in the Leonardo
Leonardo, New Jersey
Leonardo is a census-designated place located within Middletown Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 2,757...
section of Middletown Township
Middletown Township, New Jersey
Middletown Township is a township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 66,522...
, at 40°24′30"N 74°04′30"W. The areas are connected by Normandy Road, a 15 miles (24.1 km) military road and rail line.
School-aged children at Naval Weapons Station Earle in grades K through 8 attend the schools of the Tinton Falls School District
Tinton Falls School District
The Tinton Falls School District is a regional elementary school district in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Students in grades K through 8 attending the three schools in the district. Tinton Falls students make up almost the entire school, and parents from Tinton Falls make up all but one position on...
. Students in grades 9 through 12 attend Monmouth Regional High School
Monmouth Regional High School
Monmouth Regional High School is a regional, four-year public high school and public school district in Tinton Falls, Monmouth County, New Jersey that serves almost 1,200 students in grades 9 to 12....
in Tinton Falls
Tinton Falls, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 15,053 people, 5,883 households, and 3,976 families residing in the borough. The population density was 965.7 people per square mile . There were 6,211 housing units at an average density of 398.4 per square mile...
, part of the Monmouth Regional High School District.
Facilities
- Mainside: The 10000 acres (40.5 km²) in Colts Neck house most of Earle's departments and facilities. The Navy Munitions Command, Detachment Earle, performs the station's primary mission: storing and providing ammunition to the fleet. Military and civilian personnel operate the inland storage, renovation, transshipment and demilitarization facilities.
- Waterfront: At the Waterfront complex, the Navy Munitions Command provides ammunition for nearly every class of ship operated by the Navy and United States Coast GuardUnited States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
as well as commercial vessels from other countries. - Pier Complex: The Station's Pier complex is one of the longest "finger piers" in the world. A two-mile (3 km) trestle connects to three finger piers. One mile from the shore the trestle branches off to Pier 1. At the junction of Piers 2, 3 and 4, a concrete platform supports a forklift/battery-recharging shop and the port operations building. This area is known as the "wye."
See also
- SS El EsteroSS El EsteroThe SS El Estero was an antiquated freighter of Panamanian registry that was kept in service carrying war supplies from the United States to Europe during World War II, including participation in Convoy PQ 13 in March 1942. On April 24, 1943, she had completed taking on 1,365 tons of ammunition and...
, an ammunition ship that caught fire in New York Harbor in April of 1943 - PS Alexander Hamilton