After passing through the Main Gate, the first point of interest is the Reserve Basin. Here are nested submarines ready for sale as scrap. Included among them are the USS NAUTILUS and USS NARWHAL which can be identified by the miniature ships and flags painted on their conning towers, denoting the number of enemy vessels sunk. Further down, on the right, is the USS OLYMPIA, Admiral Dewey's flag-ship at Manila Bay and the vessel which brought home the sacred remains of the unknown soldier after the last war. At the far end of the Reserve Basin can be seen the lift bridge which can rise 135 feet above the water's level.

Continuing down Broad Street are the Marine Parade Grounds and Barracks on the left and the Barracks for enlisted men of crews of ships undergoing overhaul on the right. On the Southwest corner of Broad and Rowan is the modern Dispensary. Across Rowan Avenue, in the middle of the next block on the right facing Broad Street, are the Commandant's Offices. Directly across from the Commandant's Building is the Navy Yard Branch of the Philadelphia Post Office. After crossing Porter Avenue, the first building on the left houses the Headquarters of the Fourth Naval District and Officer Separation Center, facing Broad Street. Across from this building (4), is the Woodworking shop where lifeboats and other small boats are made. Going on towards the Delaware River on Broad Street, the visitor will see one of the three PTC terminals in the Yard, and at the foot of Broad Street the ferry wharf from which the New Jersey employees enter and leave the Yard. To the right along the water's edge, past Pier 2, is Drydock No. 1, the smallest in the Yard. Going around the North end of the Drydock one sees the Pipe and Copper shop (Building No. 543) and continuing West the massive Machine shops which are housed in Building Nos. 16 and 18.

Still walking West, the next point of interest is Drydock No. 2, built during the last War. It is worthwhile noting that around this Drydock, as well as others you will see, are field houses which serve as branch offices for the large shops.

Across Drydock No. 2 may be seen the Turret shop (Building No. 546), in which are manufactured the turrets for the battleships and cruisers. Going Northwest, one skirts around Drydock No. 3, and here it is worthwhile noticing the fact that around each Drydock are railroad tracks on which travelling cranes operate. Turning left down Porter Avenue, one soon sees the Forge and Structural Shops (Building No. 57), and just beyond them, Ship-building Ways No. 2 and 3, where the USS WASHINGTON, USS NEW JERSEY, USS WISCONSIN were built. Across from these ways is the Power Plant, in which the electrical power for the Yard is generated (Building No. 68), and large areas in which steel plates and forms are stored prior to being used on the ships.

Continuing down Porter Avenue on the right you will observe a Structural Assembly shop (Building No. 541) and another PTC terminal. Beyond the structural shop, on the left, is Drydock No. 4 in which the heavy cruisers USS NORFOLK and USS SCRANTON are being dismantled for scrap, construction having ceased on V-J day. In Dry dock No. 5 is the USS VALLEY FORGE, building with the War Bond purchases of the people of Philadelphia. All around are more storage spaces for material and equipment to be used in shipbuilding, as well as overhead cranes which carry this material from railroad cars directly to the Drydock.

Going back Porter Avenue is Bridge Street, down which one crosses the lift bridge across the Reserve Basin and thence out of the Yard. Going back Porter Avenue, almost a mile to Broad Street, one passes the Fire House (Building No. 602) and then the Foundry (Building No. 20). Crossing Third Street West, on the left are the Pattern Shop and Test Laboratories (Building No. 121), in which tests of material for Naval usage are made; thence past the Electrical Shop (Building No. 19), where all forms of electrical work are done; the Torpedo Repair Shop (Building No. 14) where torpedoes for destroyers and submarines are overhauled and repaired.

Crossing Broad Street, the visitor sees another File House on the left (Building No. 56) on the corner of Second Street East, and on the other side vast storehouses and warehouses for supplies and material of every sort and description.

By turning left on Fourth Street East, going one block North and then turning left on Rowan Avenue, you will note the Receiving Station on the right in which transient enlisted men numbering on the average of 9000, have their quarters. Here also, is a temporary demobilization center for enlisted men. Beyond is the Chapel, where services for all faiths are held, and next to that Marine Quarters (Building No, 102). The PTC trolley terminal is on the corner of Broad Street and Rowan Avenue. Turn right on Broad Street to reach the exit from the Yard at the Main Gate.