[1] The Department of Defense purchased a large part of the Commonwealth Flats in 1920, and split up the land between the Naval Annex and the South Boston Army Base.

At this time, the Navy began construction of buildings, which would continue up until World War II.

The following spring a new power plant project was undertaken, to provide six boilers, a compressor and a primary connection to the Edison system.

This dock, which was built inside a cellular steel pile cofferdam, was completed and placed in service in March 1943.

[5][6][7][8] Today, the former yard is home to the various companies which have moved in over the years, having been integrated into the larger South Boston Waterfront.

Sail Boston has also used the land to host ships when they are in port as well, along with the South Boston Army Base's land, which now operates as the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal under ownership of the Massachusetts Port Authority.

On 7 August 1992 the Cunard luxury liner Queen Elizabeth 2 grounded on an uncharted rock in Vineyard Sound, south of Nashawena and Cuttyhunk Islands.

This article incorporates public domain material from Building the Navy's Bases in World War II.