Most ROCHESTER sailors of the early to mid 1950s will remember Mare Island Naval Shipyard and liberty in Vallejo, across the channel, as this was home during several major overhauls. Today few would recognize Vallejo, which is now very unlike the navy town they remember, but much of the shipyard remains essentially as it was 50 years ago. This is about to change, however, as the Mare Island Naval Shipyard recently followed ROCHESTER into retirement.

When the public was invited inside the Shipyard gates for the disestablishment ceremony, one ex-ROCHESTER sailor took advantage of the opportunity to visit areas that had been off-limits to civilians. Ignoring the ceremony, he strolled about the base, revisiting places so familiar long ago. Look below for what some of you will recognize as familiar settings.