Operationally, the yard saw many periods of expansion and decline as the policies of the United States changed over the course of two centuries. Technologically, the yard saw constant transformation and acted as a hub of innovation. When the yard opened it serviced wooden sailing ships and employed tradesmen such as carpenters, ropemakers, and ship riggers. When the yard closed in 1974, the yard had welders, electricians, machinists, ironworkers, pipefitters and engineers.
