Due to a lack of federal funding, it was not until 1872 that the two brick buildings and a T-shaped pier were constructed and officially declared a Navy Yard.

In 1898, Congress approved a coaling station to be built at the Yard for refueling small naval ships traveling through the waters of New England.

The Navy Yard was spared permanent closure in 1912 by an impassioned plea from Congressman Edwin W. Higgins of Norwich, who was worried about the loss of Federal spending in the region.

He was living in New Haven, and he used the Central Hotel on State Street, New London when in town to attend to Yard duties on an "as needed" basis.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a series of Federal Government employment programs that contributed significantly to the Submarine Base.

The Submarine Force leaped in size, and the Base accommodated thousands of men to serve the growing combat fleet.

Generations of submariners learned to escape in up to 80 feet (24 m) of water using buoyant ascent, and were trained in the use of the Momsen lung or Steinke hood.

BESS includes training in shoring, patching leaks and ruptured pipes, firefighting, and boat handling techniques.