New York Port of Embarkation
Encyclopedia
The New York Port of Embarkation was established in 1917 as the United States entered into World War I. Using seized docking facilities of German passenger and freight steamship lines on the Hudson River, the U.S. Army began moving troops and material to France to fight in the war.
Originally under the command of the U.S. Army's Department of the East, the need for a separate, more flexible and responsive organization with direct oversight from the War Department in Washington, D.C. became quickly evident.
To support the mobilization of troops, military camps were established to hold and stage units in the New York metropolitan area. Camp Kilmer
in New Jersey and Camp Mitchel
at Mineola and Camp Upton
at Yaphank on Long Island were a few camps established for that purpose. For the mobilization of material, 60 temporary warehouses with over 3 million square feet of space were constructed at Fort Jay
on the south half of Governors Island
.
The need for more permanent dockside Army passenger, warehousing and shipping facility was recognized and the Brooklyn Army Base, later renamed the Brooklyn Army Terminal
(BAT) was constructed from existing terminal and docking facilities in Owls Head, Brooklyn, not far from Fort Hamilton
, beginning in 1918.
With the onset of World War II, 85% of men and material headed to the European theater
passed through the BAT. By 1960, the transportation of soldiers via air and material by commercial shipping no longer required a specific Army organization, the BAT closed and the New York Port Of Embarkation was abolished.
Originally under the command of the U.S. Army's Department of the East, the need for a separate, more flexible and responsive organization with direct oversight from the War Department in Washington, D.C. became quickly evident.
To support the mobilization of troops, military camps were established to hold and stage units in the New York metropolitan area. Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
in New Jersey and Camp Mitchel
Mitchel Air Force Base
Decommissioned in 1961, Mitchel Field became a multi-use complex currently home to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Nassau Coliseum, Mitchel Athletic Complex, Nassau Community College and Hofstra University.-Origins:...
at Mineola and Camp Upton
Camp Upton
Camp Upton was an installation of the United States Army located in Yaphank on Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. It was located near Camp Mills.-History:...
at Yaphank on Long Island were a few camps established for that purpose. For the mobilization of material, 60 temporary warehouses with over 3 million square feet of space were constructed at Fort Jay
Fort Jay
Fort Jay is a harbor fortification and the name of the former Army post located on Governors Island in New York Harbor. Fort Jay is the oldest defensive structure on the island, built to defend Upper New York Bay, but has served other purposes...
on the south half of Governors Island
Governors Island
Governors Island is a island in Upper New York Bay, approximately one-half mile from the southern tip of Manhattan Island and separated from Brooklyn by Buttermilk Channel. It is legally part of the borough of Manhattan in New York City...
.
The need for more permanent dockside Army passenger, warehousing and shipping facility was recognized and the Brooklyn Army Base, later renamed the Brooklyn Army Terminal
Brooklyn Army Terminal
The Brooklyn Army Terminal is large complex of piers, docks, warehouses, cranes, rail sidings and cargo loading equipment on between 58th and 63rd Street in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. During World War II, the terminal was responsible for shipment of 85% of army equipment and personnel overseas;...
(BAT) was constructed from existing terminal and docking facilities in Owls Head, Brooklyn, not far from Fort Hamilton
Fort Hamilton
Historic Fort Hamilton is located in the southwestern corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn surrounded by the communities of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, and Bensonhurst, and is one of several posts that are part of the region which is headquartered by the Military District of Washington...
, beginning in 1918.
With the onset of World War II, 85% of men and material headed to the European theater
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
passed through the BAT. By 1960, the transportation of soldiers via air and material by commercial shipping no longer required a specific Army organization, the BAT closed and the New York Port Of Embarkation was abolished.