The South Boston Army Base, previously the Boston Quartermaster Terminal or Army Supply Base and in 1937 named the Boston Army Base, was a 58-acre United States Army annex located in South Boston. It was authorized in April 1918 and opened for operation in October 1918. The terminal was part of the Boston sub-port of the New York Port of Embarkation during World War I. During World War II, it was a component of the Boston Port of Embarkation. It ceased operation in 1974.

History

The Army Supply Base, also known as the Boston Quartermaster Terminal, was authorized 5 April 1918 to include piers, warehouses, rail yard and open storage at the foot of Summner Street fronting on the reserved channel and Dry Dock Avenue in South Boston. The installation was placed into operation 25 October 1918. During World War I the Army port facilities in Boston, including the terminal, were a sub-port of the New York Port of Embarkation. The facility was renamed Boston Army Base in 1937. The

Department of War War Department may refer to: * War Department (United Kingdom) * United States Department of War (1789–1947) See also * War Office, a former department of the British Government * Ministry of defence * Ministry of War * Ministry of Defence * D ...

purchased a large part of the

Commonwealth Flats Commonwealth Flats is a region of former mud flats in South Boston. It has been used over the years as the site of the South Boston Naval Annex, the South Boston Army Base, the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal Flynn Cruiseport Boston, formerly known ...

in 1920, and split up the land between the

South Boston Naval Annex The South Boston Naval Annex was a United States Navy shipyard annex located in South Boston. It was the annex of the Boston Navy Yard, and was operational from the 1920 to 1974, when it was closed along with the main shipyard. The annex is also ...

and the Boston Quartermaster Terminal. Rail service to the base was provided by Track 61. In 1939, the USMS ''North Star'' departed from the South Boston Army Base as part of the 1939-1941 United States Antarctic Service Expedition. The expedition was commanded by Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd who used ''North Star'' as his flagship. On board the ''North Star'' when she departed was the unique

Antarctic Snow Cruiser The Antarctic Snow Cruiser was a vehicle designed from 1937 to 1939 under the direction of Thomas Poulter, intended to facilitate transport in Antarctica during the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939–41). The Snow Cruiser was a ...

which completed a 1,000 mile journey from Chicago to Boston under its own power.

World War II

During World War II, the base was used to warehouse and distribute military goods and supplies and coordinate troop shipments. Troops staged at Camp Myles Standish in Taunton. After the war, activity declined and many buildings and structures on the base fell into disrepair. From 1942 until 1970 the South Boston Army Base was primarily used as a terminal for military ships transporting personnel and equipment to destinations in Europe. From 1965 until 1982, the South Boston Army Base was the location of the Armed Forces Entrance and Examination Station (AFEES) serving eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It was the site of anti- draft protests during the Vietnam War.

Closure

In 1974, the base was closed, and became part of the

Boston Marine Industrial Park Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, formerly known as the Boston Marine Industrial Park, is an industrial park which has been created on the Commonwealth Flats in South Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Before its creation, the site was used as the ...

after the City of Boston purchased the land in the 1980s.

Present day

Today, the former base is home to the various companies which have moved in over the years.

Sail Boston A sail is a tensile structure—which is made from fabric or other membrane materials—that uses wind power to propel sailing craft, including sailing ships, sailboats, windsurfers, ice boats, and even sail-powered land vehicles. Sails may ...

has also used the land to host ships when they are in port as well, including former base land at the

Black Falcon Cruise Terminal Flynn Cruiseport Boston, formerly known as the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, is the main port for all cruise ships visiting Boston, Massachusetts. The port is owned and operated by Massport, which operates most of the Port of Boston, and is located ...

References

{{Coord, 42, 20, 48.99, N, 71, 1, 54.58, W, display=title Army Base, South Boston Army Base, South Boston Installations of the U.S. Army in Massachusetts Military installations closed in 1974 1920 establishments in Massachusetts