From 1903 until 1961, The Hingham Naval Ammunition Depot (originally called the Hingham Naval Reserve) was a major supplier of U.S. munitions, occupying 990 acres (4.0 km2) on the Weymouth Back River (in the section once known as The Hockley).

The base was decommissioned in 1961, though the Navy held on to the property until 1971, when it was turned over to the town of Hingham.

Today much of the site is now occupied by the town's Bare Cove Park.

Starting in 2016, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers launched a multi-year investigation into potential hazards in and around the former depot.

The Corps identified six areas of interest and searched for undetonated pieces of ordnance.