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42-581: The Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet colloquially known as the mothball fleet , is located on the northwest side of Suisun Bay (the northern portion of the greater San Francisco Bay estuary) in Benicia, California. The fleet is within a regulated navigation area that is about 4 + 1 ⁄ 2 miles (7.2 kilometers) long and 1 ⁄ 2 mile (0.80 km) wide. It begins just north of the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge and runs northeast, parallel to

84-406: A 2007 estimate ). Males had a median income of $ 59,628 versus $ 39,893 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 31,226. About 3.1% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line , including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 2.9% of those age 65 or over. According to the city's 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: Arts Benicia

126-622: A buffer of ships for national defense and national emergency purposes. The program began in 1946 at the end of World War   II. At its peak in 1950, it had more than 2,000 ships in lay-up. One of the reserve sites is in Suisun Bay , in the northern portion of San Francisco Bay, in California. Only a small portion of vessels currently remain with the Suisun fleet. In January 2016, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and MARAD have officially announced

168-598: A data report was delivered in early 2009. Based on these findings, the United States Government has reached an agreement with Arc Ecology, San Francisco BayKeeper, Natural Resources Defense Council, and the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, San Francisco Bay Region (Regional Board) regarding the maintenance and disposal of obsolete ships owned by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) at

210-467: A member of the Carrillo family of California , a prominent Californio dynasty. The General intended that the city be named "Francisca" after his wife, but this name was dropped when the former city of "Yerba Buena" changed its name to "San Francisco," so her second given name was used instead. In his memoirs, William Tecumseh Sherman contended that Benicia was "the best natural site for a commercial city" in

252-851: A number of naval ships in Suisun Bay. Most are part of the Military Sealift Command Ready Reserve Fleet . Benicia Benicia ( / b ə ˈ n iː ʃ ə / bə- NEE -shə , Spanish: [beˈnisja] ) is a city in Solano County, California , located on the north bank of the Carquinez Strait in the North Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area . It served as the capital of California for nearly thirteen months from 1853 to 1854. The population

294-480: Is a community-based non-profit organization whose mission is to stimulate, educate, and nurture cultural life in Benicia primarily through the visual arts. They provide exhibitions, educational programs, and classes that support artists and engage the broader community. The organization offers dynamic year-round art exhibitions and public art openings, the Benicia Artists Open Studios event in the spring,

336-530: Is one of the largest street fairs in Northern California, this outdoor event began in 1963 with a few collectable and antique stores displaying their items on tables outside St. Paul's Church. Traditionally held on the July 3, Benicia's Fourth of July parade stretches all the way down First Street and typically includes music, dancing, floats, horses, clowns, and live entertainment. On the fourth Sunday in July,

378-589: The Benicia Marina , there are several organized events and competitions. During the summer months, there is a yacht racing competition on Thursday evenings sponsored by the Benicia Yacht Club. The Yacht Club co-sponsors the annual Jazz Cup regatta with the South Beach Yacht Club, and also sponsors a Youth Sailing Program that offers extensive training. The Benicia Unified School District operates

420-617: The Benicia Masonic Hall , built in 1850 with lumber donated by Benicia founder Robert Semple on land donated by Alexander Riddell, was used as the County court room and offices prior to the completion of Benicia's city hall. In 1858, the county seat was moved to Fairfield . In 1853, Benicia became the third site selected to serve as the California State capital, after San Jose and nearby Vallejo , and its newly constructed city hall

462-638: The Central Pacific Railroad rerouted the Sacramento-Oakland portion of its transcontinental line to Benicia and established a major railroad ferry across the Carquinez Strait from Benicia to Port Costa . The world's largest ferry, the Solano , later joined by the even larger Contra Costa, carried entire trains across the Carquinez Strait from Benicia to Port Costa, whence they continued on to

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504-481: The Oakland Pier . On June 5, 1889, the legendary prize fight between James J. Corbett and Joe Choynski was held on a barge off the coast of Benicia. The match lasted 28 rounds, and is now commemorated by a plaque near Southampton Bay. In 1901, the world's first long-distance powerline crossing over Carquinez Strait was built. After California's wheat output dropped in the early 20th century and especially after

546-550: The Southern Pacific (which took over the operations of the Central Pacific) opened a railroad bridge to Martinez on October 15, 1930, eliminating the ferry crossing and the Benicia station, Benicia declined until the economic boom of World War II, in which the population doubled to about 7,000 residents. A major fire on March 22, 1945, destroyed a half-block of businesses, including the nearly-century-old “old brewery”, and

588-536: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 15.7 square miles (41 km ), of which 12.9 square miles (33 km ) are land and 2.8 square miles (7.3 km ), comprising 17.75%, are water. Benicia is located on the north side of the Carquinez Strait . The 2010 United States Census reported that Benicia had a population of 26,997. The population density was 1,717.4 inhabitants per square mile (663.1/km ). The racial makeup of Benicia

630-625: The Young Ladies Seminary , and was the first women's college west of the Rocky Mountains . Before moving to Oakland in 1871, it was located on West I Street, just north of First Street. From 1860 to 1861, Benicia was indirectly involved in the Pony Express . When riders missed their connection with a steamer in Sacramento , they would continue on to Benicia and cross over to Martinez via

672-629: The census of 2000, there were 26,865 people, 10,328 households, and 7,239 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,082.6 inhabitants per square mile (804.1/km ). There were 10,547 housing units at an average density of 817.6 units per square mile (315.7 units/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 78.89% White , 9.02% of the population were Hispanic or Latino , 7.56% Asian , 4.82% Black or African American , 0.60% Native American , 0.29% Pacific Islander , 2.65% from other races , and 5.18% from two or more races. There were 10,328 households, out of which 36.7% had children under

714-731: The Annual Benefit Art Auction in the fall, various special projects, and quarterly art classes for adults and kids. It is located in the Benicia Arsenal at the Commanding Officer's Quarters at 1 Commandant's Lane. Gallery hours are Thursday-Sunday, 12:00-5:00 pm during exhibitions; gallery admission is free to the public. Arts in the Park is an annual summer art celebration held in Benicia City Park. The Benicia Peddler's Fair

756-587: The Arsenal removed Benicia's traditional economic base, but allowed city leaders to create an industrial park on Arsenal land which eventually provided more revenue for the city than the Army had. The completion of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge made it possible for the city to become a suburb of San Francisco and Oakland , and suburban development in the Benicia hills began in the late 1960s. On December 20, 1968, near

798-642: The Benicia water pumping station on Lake Herman Road, the Zodiac Killer made his debut by killing Vallejo natives David Faraday and Betty Lou Jensen as they rested or " necked " in Faraday's car. Near the same area on July 4 of the following year, the killer struck again, killing Darlene Elizabeth Ferrin and injuring Michael Mageau at the Blue Rock Springs Park in Vallejo, immediately next to Benicia. Northeast of

840-613: The Portuguese community in Benicia celebrates the feast of the Holy Ghost , continuing a devotion established by the Queen St. Isabel of Portugal , who was noted for her care for the poor. The festival starts with a parade to St. Dominic's Church followed by Mass , followed by an auction and a dance. The Holy Ghost Parade celebrated its centennial in Benicia in 2007. Benicia is an active sailing community. In addition to individual sailing out of

882-533: The Solano Hotel, with flames briefly threatening the old state capitol, now a historical landmark. A roof fire was quickly extinguished and the structure was not badly damaged. Losses were estimated at $ 125,000. Two developments in the early 1960s would completely change Benicia: The closing of the Benicia Arsenal in 1960–64, and the completion of the Benicia–Martinez Bridge in 1962. The closing of

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924-534: The Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet site, resolving a lawsuit in the Eastern District of California. Under the agreement, MARAD will clean, maintain, and dispose of these ships in a manner that eliminates sources of Bay pollution. The Maritime Administration has already begun removing obsolete ships from Suisun Bay for recycling. Several ships have left since November 2009. As of 2023 seven ships remain. Under

966-700: The Suisun site closure in February 2017, any remaining ships will be sold at auction or scrapped. The only occupied reserve fleets are the James River Reserve Fleet in Virginia and the Beaumont Reserve Fleet in Texas. The State of California and several environmental groups have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of the fleet. Potential concerns include heavy metals and anti-fouling agents in

1008-434: The age of 18 living in them, 5,668 (53.0%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,271 (11.9%) had a female householder with no husband present, 480 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 584 (5.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships , and 102 (1.0%) same-sex married couples or partnerships . 2,628 households (24.6%) were made up of individuals, and 893 (8.4%) had someone living alone who

1050-418: The age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.10. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under

1092-435: The age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 28.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 67,617, and the median income for a family was $ 77,974 (these figures had risen to $ 84,025 and $ 102,889 respectively as of

1134-561: The area to determine data gaps, researched the history and environmental setting of the site, discussed the project with numerous stakeholders, conducted a site visit, and developed and refined a sampling and analysis plan. NOAA deployed bivalve samples in June 2008 and collected sediment and bivalve tissue samples from the area in July 2008. A second field sampling event for additional tissue samples occurred in September. These samples were analyzed and

1176-620: The city's public schools. Due to the railroad bridge opening in 1930, Benicia has no rail transit, but offers bus transportation through SolTrans and SolanoExpress , which service the Benicia Park and Ride, where connections are available to the Walnut Creek BART station. The Benicia–Martinez Bridge provides an automobile and rail link over Carquinez Strait, as well as bicycle and pedestrian lanes which opened in August 2009. Two blocks from

1218-604: The ferry. One of the earliest companies in California, the Pacific Mail Steamship Company , established a major shipyard in Benicia in the 19th century. The prolific shipbuilder Matthew Turner formed the Matthew Turner Shipyard at Benicia in 1883. Benicia became an important wheat storage and shipping site. It was also the site of the United States Army 's Benicia Arsenal . On December 1, 1879,

1260-529: The nearby Martinez railroad bridge was completed in 1930. From 1913 until 1954 the Sacramento Northern Railway , an electrified interurban line, crossed Suisun Bay with the Ramon , a distillate-powered train ferry . On April 28, 2004, a petroleum pipeline operated by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners ruptured, initially reported as spilling 1,500 barrels (264m³) of diesel fuel in the marshes, but, this

1302-587: The paint that is peeling off of the vessels, as well as PCBs and other hazardous materials that may have been released. Congress responded to these concerns by funding the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to design and implement a study of contaminants in the vicinity of the fleet. NOAA's Damage Assessment, Response, and Restoration Program (DARRP) began work on this project in January 2008. Since then, NOAA's team has assessed existing data from

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1344-511: The region. In February 1848, first word of gold found at Sutter's Mill was leaked at a Benicia Tavern, thus starting the California Gold Rush . Benicia became a way station on the way to the Sierras. In March 1850, Benicia became one of the first incorporated cities in California , a month after Sacramento . Benicia was the original county seat of Solano County . The lower floor of

1386-509: The shoreline. Water depths range from about 46 feet (14 meters) at Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) at the foot of the anchorage, to about 26 feet (8 m) MLLW at the shallowest berths towards the northern end of the anchorage. As of February 2024, seven ships remain in the fleet ( see below ). The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) military caretaker oversees the National Defense Reserve Fleet , which serves as

1428-553: The terms of the settlement: As of October 2024: 38°4′24.12″N 122°5′23.82″W  /  38.0733667°N 122.0899500°W  / 38.0733667; -122.0899500 Suisun Bay The bay was named in 1811, after the Suisunes , a Patwin tribe of Wintun Indians. The Central Pacific Railroad built a train ferry that operated between Benicia and Port Costa, California , from 1879 to 1930. The ferry boats Solano and Contra Costa were removed from service when

1470-455: The town's residential areas an oil refinery was built and completed in 1969 by Humble Oil (later Exxon Corporation ). The refinery was later bought by Valero Energy Corporation , a San Antonio -based oil company, in 2000. Between 1970 and 1995, the population of Benicia grew steadily at a rate of about 1,000 people per year, and the city changed from a poor, blue-collar town of 7,000 to a white-collar bedroom suburb of 27,000. According to

1512-484: Was 19,568 (72.5%) White , 1,510 (5.6%) African American , 135 (0.5%) Native American , 2,989 (11.1%) Asian , 102 (0.4%) Pacific Islander , 895 (3.3%) from other races , and 1,798 (6.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3,248 persons (12.0%). The Census reported that 99.9% of the population lived in households and 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters. There were 10,686 households, out of which 3,617 (33.8%) had children under

1554-506: Was 27,131 at the 2020 United States Census . Benicia is just east of Vallejo and across the strait from Martinez . The City of Benicia was founded on May 19, 1847, by Dr. Robert Semple , Thomas O. Larkin , and Comandante General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo , on land donated to them by General Vallejo in December 1846. It was named for the General's wife, Francisca Benicia Carillo de Vallejo ,

1596-487: Was 42.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.9 males. There were 11,306 housing units at an average density of 719.2 units per square mile (277.7 units/km ), of which 70.5% were owner-occupied and 29.5% were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%. 72.2% of the population lived in owner-occupied housing units and 27.7% lived in rental housing units. As of

1638-417: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52. There were 7,419 families (69.4% of all households); the average family size was 3.02. The population was spread out, with 6,317 people (23.4%) under the age of 18, 1,923 people (7.1%) aged 18 to 24, 6,087 people (22.5%) aged 25 to 44, 9,303 people (34.5%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,367 people (12.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age

1680-594: Was California's capitol from February 11, 1853, to February 25, 1854. Soon after, the legislature was moved to the courthouse in Sacramento, which has remained the State capital ever since. The restored capitol is part of the Benicia Capitol State Historic Park , and is the only building remaining of the State's pre-Sacramento capitols. The original campus of Mills College was founded in Benicia in 1852 as

1722-457: Was created in the period following World War II . The USNS Glomar Explorer was anchored here after recovering parts of a sunken Soviet submarine in the mid-1970s (see Project Azorian ). Many ships were removed and sold for scrap in the 1990s. In 2010, plans were announced to remove the oldest remaining parts of the Suisun Bay mothball fleet in stages. The last of the 57 ships in the old Mothball Fleet were removed in August 2017. There are still

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1764-548: Was later updated to about 2,950 barrels. Kinder Morgan pleaded guilty to operating a corroded pipeline (and cited for failing to notify authorities quickly after the spill was discovered) and paid three million dollars in penalties and restitution. The bay was the anchorage of the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet , a part of the US Navy Mothball or Ghost Fleet, a collection of U.S. Navy and merchant reserve ships which

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