History of the Navy Pier

Photo of the Navy Pier, circa 1946

Long known as the Navy pier, and now the site of our community marina, this location was a naval installation during World War II.  The Naval Ordnance Laboratory Experimental Facilities conducted research, evaluation, and testing on mines, torpedoes, and depth charges from about 1944-1946. 

In 2006, former Loch Haven resident John Crawford happened to meet Cox. Jesse Elton Durrence (1926-2017), a member of the Navy stationed here during the war.  A Cox. (coxswain) was an enlisted position, part of the Seaman’s Branch.  

Durrence, a native of Georgia, served the duration of the facility, which he said was 27 months. According to Crawford, Durrence said that they had a fish fry with the stunned fish floating after each test.

By Denise Lee, June 2019