commissioned on november 5, 1941 as the united states naval ammunition depot (nad) consisted of 6,368 acres this is now the station's southside area including the cooper river waterfront. the facility was used as an ammunition collection and distribution point during world war ii. ammunition manufactured throughout the country was sent to the base and then used to supply ordnance to atlantic fleet vessels. following wwii, the depot was charged with the removal of ordnance from ships being deactivated and was used as a weapons storage site. the nad's status changed from caretaker to inactive to maintenance to active from 1947 through 1952.