Name/Title
Goat Island Torpedo Station Newport. R.I.Description
The Torpedo Station was established on Goat Island, in the Harbor of Newport, in the summer of 1869, occupation of the island by the Navy Department being authorized by the Secretary of War on July 29th of that year. Between 1871 and 1874, the Station experienced its greatest material expansion, the storehouse, the machine shop, the cottages for officers, the chemical laboratory and the electrical laboratory being erected, and the old barracks rebuilt into quarters and officers for the Inspector in charge. Its fame, importance and contributions made during its 83 years are legendary in the Rhode Island area. A major economic and military installation in Rhode Island from the day of its establishment, the Torpedo Station reached its peak importance in World War II when more than 13,000 employees worked around the clock to manufacture 80 percent of the torpedoes used by the United States during the war. The station was the largest single industry ever operated in Rhode Island. In 1951, the Torpedo Station was permanently disestablished.