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Navy Ships, Destroyers & Shipyards Lung Disease from Asbestos Exposure

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Many current and former members of the US Navy were exposed to high levels of asbestos during their service. Most Navy vessels built before 1980 were full of asbestos. Exposure to the toxic material on Navy ships causes many veterans to develop mesothelioma decades later. People who developed mesothelioma during their military service have a right to compensation.

The Navy used asbestos because it was affordable, had high tensile strength and was highly resistant to heat and chemical damage. These properties meant asbestos was an excellent insulation, building material and great for fireproofing. The Navy used asbestos in almost every part of its vessels before 1980.

So when did the navy stop using asbestos? It is estimated more than 300 materials containing asbestos were used in Navy ships until the 1970s. Then it was understood the serious health risks of asbestos exposure. Engine rooms, boiler rooms, navigation rooms, mess halls, sleeping areas and other common areas aboard these ships contained asbestos.

Below is a list of some of the Navy ships and Navy shipyards that contained deadly asbestos.

If you have contracted Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer or Asbestosis, but do NOT see your vessel or shipyard on the list, compensation is still available! Inquire with us today.

Navy Ships With Asbestos

Not a single Navy ship that was built in the five decades before and after WW2 did not contain asbestos. Even though there were health warnings all through the Navy, most Navy personnel and support workers had some level of exposure to asbestos in the air. Asbestos products were used in most types of Navy ships:

  • Aircraft carriers
  • Ammunition and explosive freighters
  • Amphibious assault crafts
  • Auxiliary ships
  • Battleships
  • Corvettes
  • Cruisers
  • Cutters
  • Destroyers
  • Destroyer escorts
  • Escort carriers
  • Frigates
  • Hospital vessels
  • Landing crafts
  • Liberty ships
  • Merchant marine ships
  • Minesweepers
  • Oilers and tankers
  • Patrol boats
  • Submarines
  • Troop carriers

Specific ships that are known to have had asbestos include the following categories and names: (Archives.gov).

Aircraft Carriers With Asbestos

  • USS Hancock: An Essex class carrier built in WWII. Was built at Bethlehem Steel in Quincy MA on Jan. 26, 1943, and was launched on Jan. 24, 1944.
  • USS America: Was ordered to be built on Nov. 25, 1960. Keel laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on Jan. 9, 1961.
  • USS Antietam: Built for the Navy in World War II. Keel laid down at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard on March 15, 1943.
  • USS Badoeng Strait: Keel was laid down at Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Tacoma WA and was launched on Feb. 15, 1945.
  • USS Bairoko: Ordered for the Navy during World War II. Construction started at Todd-Pacific Shipyards in Tacoma, WA. Launched on Jan. 25, 1945.
  • USS Bataan: Keel laid down at New York Shipbuilding Corporation on Aug. 31, 1942. Launched a year later on Aug. 1, 1943.
  • USS Belleau Wood: Keel was laid down at New York Shipbuilding Corporation on Aug. 11, 1941. Launched on Dec. 6, 1942 and was commissioned on March 31, 1943.
  • USS Bennington: Ordered by the Navy on Dec. 15, 1941. Construction started at the Brooklyn Navy Yard with asbestos used all through the ship.
  • USS Bon Homme Richard: Ordered for construction on July 9, 1942. Construction began at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Feb. 1 1943. Launched on April 29, 1944.
  • USS Boxer: Keel was laid down at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on Sept. 13, 1943. Launched on Dec. 14, 1944.
  • US Franklin: Was built at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Yard before her launch in 1943.
  • USS Hornet: Construction started on the USS Hornet on Aug. 3, 1942. Carrier was launched on Aug. 30, 1943, and was commissioned on Nov. 29, 1943.

Battleships With Asbestos

  • USS California: Was ordered for the US Navy on Dec. 28. 1915, and was built at the Mare Island Navy Shipyard on Oct. 25, 1916. Launched on Nov. 20, 1919.
  • USS Colorado: Ship was launched on March 22, 1921, and was commissioned on Aug. 30. 1923.
  • USS Alabama: One of four South Dakota class battleships constructed by the US Navy in the 1930s and early 1940s. Work began on Feb. 1, 1940, at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth VA.
  • USS Arizona: Ordered for the US Navy in 1913 and was build in 1914 at the Naval Yard in Brooklyn NY.
  • USS Arkansas: The New York Shipbuilding Company in New Jersey built the shop and was launched on Jan. 14, 1911.

Submarines With Asbestos

  • USS Albacore: Ordered by the US Navy before the US entered WW II. Keel was laid by the Electric Boat Company on April 21, 1941. Launched on Feb. 17, 1942.
  • USS Amberjack: Ordered by the US Navy before the country entered WWII. The Electric Boat company started construction on May 15, 1941, and it was launched on March 6, 1942.
  • USS Angler: Keel was laid by the Electric Boat Company on Nov. 9, 1942. Launched on July 4, 1942 and was commissioned on Oct. 1, 1943.

Cruisers With Asbestos

  • USS Albany: Ordered by the US Navy during WWII. Bethlehem Steel Company laid down her keel on March 6, 1944 and started construction. Launched on June 30, 1945.
  • USS Amsterdam: Keel was laid down by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on March 3, 1943, and was launched on April 25, 1944.
  • USS Astoria: Keel was laid down by William Cramp & Sons Shipbuilding Company of Philadelphia on Seb. 6, 1941. Launched on March 6, 1943.
  • USS Atlanta: Keel was laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on April 22, 1940. Launched on Sept. 6, 1941.

Destroyers With Asbestos

  • USS Allen M. Sumner: Ordered by the US Navy on Aug. 7, 1942, and construction started on July 7, 1943 at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Kearney NJ.
  • USS Bagley: Was ordered between WWI and WWII by the US Navy. Keel was laid down at Norfolk Navy Yard on July 31, 1935. Launched on Sept. 3 , 1936.
  • USS Benham: First class of Benham-class destroyers ordered between WWI and WWII. Construction started at the Federal Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on Sept. 1, 1936.
  • USS Benson: Ordered by the US Navy in 1938, and the keel was laid down by the Bethlehem Steel Company on May 16, 1938.
  • USS Charles F. Adams: Ordered on March 28, 1957. Construction started at Bath Iron Works on June 16, 1958 and was commissioned on Sept. 10, 1960.

Shipyards Laden With Asbestos

There were many Naval shipyards that were contaminated with asbestos, as well. If you worked at any of these shipyards and have contracted mesothelioma, you should talk to a mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible.

If you or a loved one worked on one of the above ships or in one of the shipyards, and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should speak to an experienced mesothelioma and asbestos exposure attorney immediately. You could be eligible for mesothelioma compensation from the US Navy, VA and many companies that provided asbestos-laden parts and materials to the Navy decades ago.

Get Mesothelioma Legal Help

With over $30 billion available for victims through the Asbestos Trust Funds, you could be entitled to financial compensations without ever filing a lawsuit. Mesothelioma & Lung Cancer victims qualify immediately. Complete the form or call us toll free (800) 352-0871

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