Page 141 - Historical Study of Yerba Buena Island, Treasure Island and Their Buildings

2.3.1.8 Frontier Base

The Section Base under the TADCEN organization was redesignated the Frontier Base in 1942.
This meant that TADCEN would carry out the duties of a Section Base, but on a larger scale.
The Frontier Base was also responsible for craft assigned to Sea Frontiers, as well as coastal craft
assigned to the base. Due to the nature of the war and the degree of damage incurred on the
ships, the repair facilities in the Bay Area were overloaded. This resulted in the Frontier Base at
Treasure Island having to accept even more work than was originally contemplated. The
Frontier Base took on the assignment of completely servicing (1) both inshore and offshore
operations, and (2) voyage and transient repairs for all craft (up to and including twenty-two
hundred ton destroyers). In order to accomplish their assignments, the waterfront facilities at
Treasure Island were operated by the Frontier Base and, in essence, formed an integral part of the
base.

The facility termed the "Industrial Department" of the Frontier Base, although small compared to
other industrial yards, achieved an enviable reputation for the both quality and quantity of work
the facility completed. With work equally performed by both naval enlisted personnel and
civilian personnel (approximately equal numbers of both were employed), they achieved an
" ... esprit de corps ... " and a work record of which they were justifiably proud. After the war, the
Frontier Base was disestablished and redesignated the US Navy Small Craft Facility, whose
previous functions continued as before only on a reduced scale.

2.3.1.9 Embarkation Camp Construction

The rate at which buildings were constructed during the creation of the "embarkation" camp was
phenomenal. Rather than try to describe it, compare the following photographs (see Figures 58
through 65) taken during this construction phase. In addition, the photographs provide a feeling
for the rate of change from a small base processing about 4,000 men per month to a fully
operational military base processing as many as 13,000 men a day.

The rapid changes to Treasure Island during the construction phase of the Embarkation Facility
are shown in Figures 58 through 61. Most of the excavation, development, and construction
were completed within a three to four month period.

The area of the Embarkation Facility which provided housing to the Bachelor Officers greatly
changed in the one month period between March and April, 1944. See Figure 62 and Figure 63.

Figure 64 and Figure 65 are views of the same area of the Embarkation Facility. In two months
time, as indicated by the photographs, the area was excavated, developed, and enclosed by a
fence. This area was designated for Prisoners of War (POW) housing. The January 1944
photograph reveals the beginnings of the foundation work for Buildings 188 and 189. The
March 1944 photograph reveals the quick development of the area, evident by the construction
of Buildings 188, 189, 190 and 191. From June 1945 through March 1946, there were 1,300
German POWs, mostly members of General Rommel's Afrika Korps, held captive and
emprisoned at the facility. The prisoners, while under the cognizance of the Security Office
(Ref. P, page 134), were assigned work on the island in the same way that the Navy Brig
assigned manual labor jobs to its prisoners.

September I, 1995 Historical Study ofYerba Buena Island, 2-37
Treasure Island, and their Buildings