STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - There used to be a Navy homeport in Stapleton, but it was decommissioned after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 1990s. Then state Supreme Court facilities occupied some of the old homeport buildings. But much of the area in the vicinity of the onetime Navy facility is for the moment vacant. So I took a look around.

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This is an old guard booth on the site.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Still full of debris years after it was in use.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Including this weather-beaten logbook kept by the guards.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Here's a closer look at a page, detailing activity on January 10, 1997.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

All secure!

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This is a kids book first published in 1991, detailing the first days of school at fictional Plumstead Middle School. Wonder how this got here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Something colorful amid all the disarray. Welcome to spring.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Looks like some bedding under the desk. Has somebody been sleeping here?

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

More debris, including a busted headlight.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

An old flashlight and coffee cups too.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Check the trucks visible in the background. The area in and near the old homeport on Front Street has become an informal truck parking spot.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

One side of the guardhouse was boarded up, but the other side was wide open, allowing me access.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

The electric gate opener doesn't work anymore.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And nobody to check vehicles coming and going.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Limits.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A busted fire alarm call box was only steps away.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I'm guessing it's more than "temporarily" out of order.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Busted window, with the harbor reflected in the background.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Ceiling panels have pretty much been stripped out.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Looks like the gate has been run over a couple of times.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This is the first building I came to after walking through that front gate.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

It wasn't hard to get inside.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Serious disrepair here. And note the mattresses. That's one way to get rid of them without wrapping them up in plastic to put out with the garbage.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Not sure what function this building served in the past.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

But somebody did a good job stripping the interior over the years.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Lots of other trash too, including these paint cans.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I got this picture through a gap on the other side of the building.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I didn't want to venture too far inside.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I wasn't certain of the building's structural stability. Plus, there could always be someone in the building. You never know.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Looks like the rear of the building has been quite a hangout.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This side of the structure has been vandalized as well.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

There used to be a public parking lot here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Here are the daily and monthly rates.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Found this tag inside the guardhouse.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

You can't escape politics no matter where you go.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Bit of a mess on the shoreline, with old pipe, broken concrete slabs and other debris.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And crumbling asphalt. Not the storm drain grill at the upper left. This area took a direct hit from Hurricane Sandy.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A non-working streetlight.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

With it's electrical guts in disarray.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Still, a nice view of the city.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Busted sign leads the way.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I know it's the waterfront, but I was surprised to see this abandoned boat.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

With another, smaller one right next to it.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Definitely doesn't look seaworthy.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A real mess.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

The area could use a cleanup.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

What's he smiling at???

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Keep wandering and you'll come across what looks like an old oil storage facility.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Here was my first clue.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Looks like the tank is empty.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And the staircase was blocked, so I couldn't walk up. Plus, I was concerned that someone would see me. The FDNY's Marine 9 Unit isn't very far away from this spot.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This tank looks a lot worse for the wear.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And these as well.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Slowly getting overgrown.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Rust never sleeps.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

What I like to call "distressed industrial chic." No? OK.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This fixture is really falling into decay.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This rusted tank looks like a boat.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And this actually is a boat.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

The Moyno Company (look close and you'll see their logo) makes sanitary pumps to handle waste by-products, including high-viscosity materials, according to the company website.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This cover is close to rusted through.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Check out this classic-looking old gauge.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

An anchor graveyard?

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Giant, bulldozer-like scoopers.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And then I found some odd things scattered about, like this toy mirror. Fit for a princess.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Or this lone shoe. What happened to its match?

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And this football.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A high-performance tire with a sporty look. Check out that rim!

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And, yeah, somebody's been partying here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Open wide!

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This fixture is almost 30 years old.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This gauge still looks brand new.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

For measuring pounds per square inch.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I just love old industrial stuff.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Another vintage-looking gauge.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Here's a closer look.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

That's the Urby development in the background.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Careful.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Some kind of power generator? An electrical substation?

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Another decommissioned fire alarm call box.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And a busted-up circuit box.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

But there was still water running out of this vacant building.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

An old boom designed to help contain oil spills.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

An abandoned groundskeepers' truck.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Significantly vandalized.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

But it's a real John Deere.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

No idea what happened here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Someone needs to empty the trash here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And here too. Any garbage archeologists want to take a look, let me know.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Found this medical waste container down by the shoreline.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Maybe we could use this Sanitation Department Dumpster to haul all the trash away.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Wonder if anybody is looking for this?

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Davy Jones' locker???

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

There were lots of vacant buildings along the site.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A weed tree and overgrowth block the entrance to this one.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This door was boarded up pretty well.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A lot of overgrowth here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And here.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This area was well secured too.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

This building had a truck cab parked outside.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Judging from the shattered windshield, it looks like this vehicle is no longer in use.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Some type of insignia over the door there.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A nautical touch.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Huge mound of debris at the outer edge of the area.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

The fence looked like it had been knocked down long ago.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

Some type of tower that had fallen over, perhaps?

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A pile of huge tires.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

And a gangway to nowhere.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

A battered and waterlogged text book of some kind.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

I was concerned that somebody might be sleeping in this oversized pipe, so I figured it was a good time to end my exploration.

Don't Edit

Tom Wrobleski | wrobleski@siadvance.com

But definitely a great view.