Camp Yerba Buena Island

 (1868-1880) - A U.S. Army Camp first established in 1868 on Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco County, California. Turned over to the U.S. Navy in 1880. Also known as Post at Goat Island, Post on Yerba Buena Island, U.S. Engineer Depot, Yerba Buena Island, and U.S. Quartermaster Depot, Yerba Buena Island.

History of Camp Yerba Buena Island
Established on Yerba Buena Island on 25 Mar 1868 by Captain Samuel M. Mansfield, Company D, Battalion of U.S. Engineers. Initially established to provide gun batteries in defense of the San Francisco Harbor but the batteries were never built.

An 1870 report indicates that the post was still unfinished but included two large barracks, three officer's quarters, a guard house and hospital. Company D, Battalion of U.S. Engineers was still at the post with an average strength of 116 men still engaged in the construction of the post.

The engineers departed in May 1871 and the post became U.S. Quartermaster Depot, Yerba Buena Island manned by elements of the 2nd U.S. Artillery. In May 1873 the military garrison was reduced to a small detachment and 13 civilians were hired. The small detachments continued to man the post until the last post return 11 July 1878.

Major Joseph Stewart, 4th U.S. Artillery, was confined to the limits of Yerba Buena Island by para IV, Special Order 71, HQ Military Divison of the Pacific, 14 Jun 1875, for a period of one year ending on 17 Jun 1876. Major Stewart remained at the post in casual status (not in command although very senior to the commander) until 9 Oct 1876. During some of this time the post commander was 1st Lt. William F. Stewart Major Stewart's son.

The post was turned over to the U.S. Navy in 1880.

Current Status
Now houses a U.S. Coast Guard Station and the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge passes over the old post.

Sources:
 * , page 100
 * , page 37-38

Links:
 * North American Forts - Camp Yerba Buena Island
 * Buena Island Wikipedia - Camp Yerba Buena Island
 * California Military Museum - Camp Yerba Buena Island