Bethlehem Shipbuilding

Bethlehem Shipbuilding
America's largest WWII shipbuilder (1905-1997)
Location	15 U.S. shipyards
Peak Employment	180,000+ (WWII)
Current Status	Bankrupt (2001)
Vessels Built	1,127+ ships
Worker Impact	80% showed lung damage
Risk Level	Extreme
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Executive Summary

Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation exposed over 180,000 workers to deadly asbestos fibers across 15 shipyards from 1905 to 1997, creating one of America's most devastating occupational health disasters. During World War II, the company operated the largest shipbuilding enterprise in American history, constructing over 1,127 vessels — one-fifth of America's two-ocean naval fleet. Workers handled materials containing up to 100% pure asbestos fibers, resulting in disease rates 5 to 22 times higher than the general population. A late 1970s study found that 80% of Bethlehem's Baltimore shipyard workers showed lung damage linked to asbestos exposure. The company knew about asbestos dangers by the 1920s but concealed this information from workers for over 40 years, ultimately facing over 3,000 lawsuits before declaring bankruptcy in 2001. Peak mesothelioma incidence from Bethlehem exposure is predicted for 2015-2024, meaning new cases continue to emerge today. Over $37 billion in asbestos trust funds remain available for eligible claimants.

At-a-Glance

• Largest WWII shipbuilder — operated 15 shipyards and employed 180,000+ workers at peak wartime production
• 1,127 vessels constructed — representing one-fifth of America's entire two-ocean naval fleet during World War II
• 80% of Baltimore workers showed lung damage — among the highest documented asbestos disease rates in any U.S. industrial workforce
• Mesothelioma mortality 575% above expected — shipyard workers died from mesothelioma at nearly 6 times the rate of the general population
• 298 asbestos products required — Navy specifications mandated asbestos-containing materials throughout ship construction
• 40+ year corporate cover-up — Bethlehem knew of asbestos dangers by the 1920s but did not warn workers until the mid-1960s
• $15.3 million single verdict — awarded to a 73-year-old machinist who developed mesothelioma from shipyard asbestos exposure
• Bankruptcy filed 2001 — asbestos litigation cited as a key factor in the company's collapse with $4.5 billion in debt
• $37 billion+ in trust funds — available industry-wide across 60+ active asbestos trusts for eligible workers and families
• Cases still emerging today — peak mesothelioma incidence predicted for 2015-2024 due to 30-50 year latency period

Key Facts

Metric	Finding
Years of operation	1905-1997 (92 years)
Number of shipyards	15 major facilities across the U.S.
Peak WWII workforce	180,000+ shipbuilding workers (300,000 total employees)
Vessels constructed	1,127+ ships including aircraft carriers, battleships, destroyers
Baltimore worker lung damage rate	80% showed asbestos-related lung abnormalities
Mesothelioma SMR	575 (mortality 575% higher than expected)
Asbestosis SMR	2,277 (mortality 2,277% higher than expected)
Corporate concealment period	40+ years (knew risks by 1920s, warned workers mid-1960s)
Largest single verdict	$15.3 million for a machinist with mesothelioma
Bankruptcy debt	$4.5 billion at time of 2001 filing
Available trust fund compensation	$37 billion+ across 60+ active trusts industry-wide
Mesothelioma latency period	Median 42.8 years (range 9-50+ years)

What Was Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation?

Bethlehem Shipbuilding emerged from humble origins as the Saucona Iron Company in 1857 to become America's premier shipbuilder during World War II. The company's transformation began under Charles M. Schwab in 1904, with the shipbuilding division formally incorporated in 1917. By 1940, Bethlehem had become the largest of America's "Big Three" shipbuilders, ahead of Newport News and New York Shipbuilding.

The company operated major facilities nationwide:

• Fore River Shipyard — Quincy, Massachusetts (32,000 workers at peak)
• Sparrows Point Shipyard — Baltimore, Maryland
• Union Iron Works — San Francisco, California
• Staten Island Shipyard — New York
• Emergency yards — in Hingham and Baltimore

Peak employment reached 300,000 total workers with 180,000 in shipbuilding operations during 1943. Eugene Grace promised President Roosevelt one ship per day in 1943, and Bethlehem exceeded this by delivering 15 ships. The Fore River facility alone built 92 naval vessels of 11 different types, including the aircraft carriers USS Lexington and USS Bunker Hill, the battleship USS Massachusetts, and dozens of destroyers.

"Bethlehem Shipbuilding represents one of the largest-scale occupational asbestos disasters in American history," explains Paul Danziger, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "The company's size means that tens of thousands of workers and their families remain eligible for compensation today."

The company's decline began in the 1960s as naval contracts decreased. Bethlehem ceased shipbuilding operations in 1997, and on October 15, 2001, filed for bankruptcy with $4.2 billion in assets against $4.5 billion in debt. Court documents explicitly cite "a flood of costly litigation" from asbestos exposure as a key factor in the company's collapse.

What Asbestos Products Did Bethlehem Use?

Bethlehem's shipyards used an astounding array of asbestos-containing materials from the industry's major manufacturers. Navy specifications mandated the use of 298 different asbestos products in ship construction.

Major Suppliers

Johns-Manville Corporation, the world's largest asbestos manufacturer, provided 85% Magnesia Block Insulation, Marinite Board, Transite Pipe covering, and dozens of other products from 1902 through 1975.

Armstrong Contracting and Supply delivered Aircell Pipe Covering, Armabestos Block Insulation, and Limpet Spray products containing high percentages of asbestos fibers.

Pittsburgh Corning supplied Unibestos products used throughout ship construction.

Eagle-Picher provided various insulating cements with asbestos content ranging from 15% to 50%.

Raybestos cloth, woven from pure asbestos yarns, was stored in BethShip storerooms with widespread worker access.

Quantities Used

The scale of asbestos use was staggering. WWII destroyers required 24-30 long tons of thermal insulation per ship, while Iowa-class battleships needed nearly 465 long tons. With Bethlehem building over 1,100 ships during the war, the company consumed tens of thousands of tons of asbestos materials.

"The evidence typically shows that workers handled materials containing between 15% and 100% asbestos content," notes David Foster, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "At Sparrows Point, according to worker testimony, asbestos dust was so thick you couldn't see from one end of the room to the other."

Who Faced the Greatest Exposure Risk?

Highest-Risk Occupations

Insulators and laggers faced the highest exposures, with routine airborne concentrations of 2-10 fibers per cubic centimeter during the late 1960s and early 1970s — up to 100 times current OSHA limits. During the 1940s-1950s peak, exposures reached an estimated 12-60 fibers/cc, with some operations like pipe lagging removal generating up to 344 fibers/cc.

These workers performed the most hazardous tasks: mixing loose asbestos with water to create insulation paste, handling 100% amosite asbestos blankets, cutting and sewing asbestos boots and jackets, and hand-mixing raw asbestos fibers from bags dumped into rotating drums. The nickname "snowbirds" described workers emerging from ships covered head-to-toe in white asbestos dust.

Pipefitters experienced average concentrations of 0.13-1.0 fibers/cc while installing and maintaining steam piping systems, with higher exposures during powered tool use. They worked with asbestos-containing gaskets, valves, and flanges in engine rooms filled with disturbed asbestos fibers.

Boilermakers faced 1-5 fibers/cc average exposure while maintaining boiler insulation and working with asbestos-containing gaskets, packing, and fire brick in poorly ventilated boiler rooms.

Welders encountered 0.1-2.0 fibers/cc background exposures, significantly higher when welding near asbestos insulation. They used asbestos welding blankets and protective clothing until 1981.

Bystander Exposure

Bystander exposure affected all trades regardless of direct asbestos handling. Studies show 86% of ship repair workers, including those not directly handling asbestos, developed asbestosis. Fibers traveled throughout facilities via air currents and contaminated clothing.

"We've observed that even workers who never directly handled asbestos developed mesothelioma from workplace exposure," explains Anna Jackson, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "The confined nature of shipyard work meant everyone was at risk."

What Are the Health Consequences for Bethlehem Workers?

Medical studies document catastrophic health impacts among Bethlehem workers. A late 1970s study of the Baltimore shipyard found that 4 out of 5 workers (80%) showed lung damage linked to asbestos exposure — one of the highest documented exposure rates among industrial workers.

A comprehensive 55-year follow-up study of 3,984 shipyard workers found:

• Pleural mesothelioma mortality 575% higher than expected (SMR: 575)
• Lung cancer 54% higher than expected (SMR: 154)
• Asbestosis an astounding 2,277% higher than expected (SMR: 2,277)

Latency Period

The latency period between exposure and disease created a delayed catastrophe. Mesothelioma typically manifests after a median of 42.8 years (range: 9.3-50+ years), while lung cancer appears after 38.7 years. Workers exposed during World War II developed diseases in the 1980s and 1990s, while those exposed in the 1960s-1980s are developing mesothelioma today. Peak incidence is predicted for 2015-2024.

"The cruel reality is that workers exposed at Bethlehem facilities decades ago are still developing fatal diseases today," notes Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "The good news is that compensation remains available regardless of when exposure occurred."

How Did Bethlehem's Corporate Knowledge Affect Workers?

Evidence presented in litigation proved companies knew asbestos caused cancer by the 1920s but chose concealment to maintain profits. Internal documents showed the asbestos-cancer link was "a medical certainty" by the 1950s, yet workers weren't warned until the mid-1960s.

Bethlehem reportedly ignored the Navy's 1943 safety booklet "Minimum Requirements for Safety and Industrial Health in Contract Shipyards," failing to provide respirators or proper ventilation while distributing "protective" clothing that actually contained asbestos.

Legal discovery uncovered damning evidence including:

• Blueprints showing asbestos locations
• Invoices from asbestos manufacturers
• Internal memos demonstrating risk awareness
• 40+ year delay between corporate knowledge and worker warnings

"This documented corporate knowledge of asbestos dangers forms the foundation for successful compensation claims," explains Larry Gates, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "When companies knowingly exposed workers to deadly materials, the legal implications are significant."

What Legal Verdicts Have Bethlehem Workers Received?

Bethlehem Steel faced over 3,000 asbestos-related lawsuits that revealed a pattern of corporate knowledge and concealment spanning decades.

Major Settlements

• $15.3 million awarded to a 73-year-old machinist in 2008 for mesothelioma from handling rope containing 60-70% asbestos at the South Baltimore shipyard
• Over $16 million total from two major legal victories in 2008 and 2010
• Over $600 million secured by a single law firm for former Bethlehem Steel workers over the past decade

Bankruptcy Trust

The company's bankruptcy filing in October 2001 cited "a flood of costly litigation" as a key factor. A trust fund was established to compensate victims, though it faces challenges meeting obligations due to the sheer number of claims. Current estimates suggest over 3,000 claims remain pending or expected.

Over 100 asbestos companies declared bankruptcy, establishing 60+ trust funds with $37 billion in initial assets. Individual workers can file claims against multiple trusts based on exposure to different manufacturers' products.

How Did Secondary Exposure Affect Bethlehem Families?

The tragedy extended beyond the shipyard gates through secondary exposure to family members. A Los Angeles County study of shipyard workers' families revealed:

• 11% of wives showed signs of pulmonary asbestos disease
• 39% reported pleural abnormalities potentially related to mesothelioma
• 7.6% of sons and 2.1% of daughters developed asbestos-related disease

Among families where workers had 20+ years of exposure, 11% of wives developed lung damage from washing contaminated work clothes and embracing workers covered in asbestos dust.

A study of 878 household contacts found that 4 out of 115 deaths were from pleural mesothelioma — a disease virtually exclusive to asbestos exposure. Family cancer rates doubled compared to the general population.

"We've represented numerous family members who developed mesothelioma from secondary exposure," notes Yvette Abrego, Client Advocate at Danziger & De Llano. "Workers brought asbestos home on clothing, skin, and hair, creating household contamination that persisted for years."

What Compensation Is Available for Bethlehem Workers?

Asbestos Bankruptcy Trusts

Over $37 billion in asbestos trust funds remain available industry-wide from over 60 active trusts. Key trusts for Bethlehem workers include:

• Johns-Manville Trust — $2.5+ billion, primary supplier to all Bethlehem yards
• Pittsburgh Corning Trust — Unibestos products used throughout facilities
• Armstrong World Industries Trust — Aircell and other insulation products
• Eagle-Picher Trust — insulating cements
• Raybestos-Manhattan Trust — asbestos cloth products

Workers can file claims against multiple trusts based on documented exposure to different manufacturers' products, with combined payouts averaging $300,000-$400,000 for mesothelioma cases.

Personal Injury Lawsuits

Workers may pursue lawsuits against solvent defendants including equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and successor companies. Verdicts have exceeded $15 million for individual workers.

VA Benefits

Veterans who worked at Bethlehem facilities or served on Bethlehem-built ships typically qualify for a 100% VA disability rating for mesothelioma, providing $4,044.91+ monthly plus full VA healthcare. VA benefits have no statute of limitations and don't conflict with civil lawsuits.

"The optimal approach pursues multiple compensation sources simultaneously," explains Paul Danziger, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "Trust fund claims can begin paying within 90 days while litigation proceeds."

What Is the Environmental Status of Former Bethlehem Sites?

Bethlehem's environmental legacy continues to impact communities decades after operations ceased.

Sparrows Point, Maryland

The 3,100-acre Sparrows Point facility, now operating as Tradepoint Atlantic with tenants including Amazon and Home Depot, remains under active EPA remediation for contamination including antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, benzene, PAHs, and shipyard wastes. The adjacent Bear Creek was added to the National Priorities List as a Superfund site on March 16, 2022, with 60 acres of sediments contaminated with PCBs and heavy metals requiring a $45 million cleanup.

The predominantly Black community of Turner Station has been unable to safely fish or swim for decades due to contamination from the shipyard.

Other Facilities

Multiple other Bethlehem facilities are designated EPA sites, including locations in Texas and Lackawanna, New York. The Fore River Shipyard in Quincy, closed since 1986, now houses the USS Salem museum. San Francisco's former Union Iron Works continues operation as BAE Systems Ship Repair after extensive remediation.

How Do Bethlehem Workers File Compensation Claims?

Statutes of Limitations

Statutes of limitations vary by state where exposure occurred:

• Pennsylvania — 2 years from diagnosis
• Maryland — 3 years from diagnosis
• Massachusetts — 3 years from diagnosis
• California — 2 years from diagnosis
• New York — 3 years from diagnosis

The discovery rule in most states starts the clock at diagnosis rather than exposure date.

Required Documentation

Successful claims require:

• Medical records confirming asbestos-related disease diagnosis
• Employment records from Bethlehem shipyards with dates and job titles
• Evidence of specific asbestos products encountered
• Documentation of specific vessels or facilities worked at
• Witness statements from coworkers if available

Multi-Track Strategy

1. File trust fund claims immediately — these can pay within 90 days
2. Pursue personal injury litigation against solvent defendants
3. Apply for VA benefits if eligible as a veteran
4. Claim workers' compensation benefits where applicable

"Time is critical in asbestos cases due to statutes of limitations and the health challenges our clients face," emphasizes Rod De Llano, Founding Partner at Danziger & De Llano. "We work on contingency with no upfront costs, allowing families to pursue full compensation without financial barriers."

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Bethlehem Shipbuilding and why is it connected to mesothelioma?

Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation was the largest shipbuilder in American history during World War II, operating 15 shipyards and employing over 180,000 workers. The company used hundreds of asbestos-containing products throughout ship construction from 1905 to 1997. Workers were exposed to deadly asbestos fibers that caused mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis at rates many times higher than the general population. Bethlehem knew of these dangers by the 1920s but concealed the information for over 40 years.

How many Bethlehem shipyard workers developed asbestos-related diseases?

A late 1970s study of Bethlehem's Baltimore shipyard found that 80% of workers showed lung damage linked to asbestos exposure. A 55-year follow-up study of nearly 4,000 shipyard workers documented mesothelioma mortality 575% higher than expected and asbestosis rates 2,277% higher than expected. These are among the highest occupational disease rates recorded in any American industry.

Can family members of Bethlehem workers file claims?

Yes. Secondary exposure affected thousands of family members. Studies show that 11% of shipyard workers' wives developed pulmonary asbestos disease from washing contaminated work clothes. Children were also affected, with 7.6% of sons and 2.1% of daughters developing asbestos-related conditions. Family members can file compensation claims through trust funds and lawsuits.

What trust funds are available for Bethlehem shipyard workers?

Bethlehem workers can file claims against multiple asbestos trust funds established by bankrupt asbestos manufacturers whose products were used at Bethlehem yards. Key trusts include Johns-Manville ($2.5+ billion), Pittsburgh Corning, Armstrong World Industries, Eagle-Picher, and Raybestos-Manhattan. Over $37 billion remains available across 60+ active trusts industry-wide, with combined mesothelioma payouts averaging $300,000-$400,000.

What is the statute of limitations for Bethlehem asbestos claims?

Filing deadlines vary by state: Pennsylvania and California allow 2 years from diagnosis, while Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York allow 3 years. Most states apply a discovery rule that starts the clock at the time of diagnosis rather than the date of exposure, which is critical given mesothelioma's 30-50 year latency period.

Are veterans who served on Bethlehem-built ships eligible for compensation?

Yes. Veterans exposed to asbestos on Bethlehem-built vessels or at Bethlehem shipyards typically qualify for a 100% VA disability rating for mesothelioma, providing $4,044.91+ monthly plus full VA healthcare. VA benefits have no statute of limitations and can be pursued alongside trust fund claims and civil lawsuits without reducing either benefit.

What asbestos products were used at Bethlehem shipyards?

Navy specifications mandated 298 different asbestos-containing products in ship construction. Major products included Johns-Manville 85% Magnesia Block Insulation, Marinite Board, Transite Pipe covering, Armstrong Aircell Pipe Covering, Pittsburgh Corning Unibestos, Eagle-Picher insulating cements, and Raybestos cloth woven from pure asbestos yarns. Workers handled materials containing between 15% and 100% asbestos content.

What environmental contamination remains at former Bethlehem sites?

Multiple former Bethlehem facilities remain under active EPA remediation. The 3,100-acre Sparrows Point site in Baltimore is undergoing cleanup for heavy metals, PCBs, and other contaminants. Bear Creek, adjacent to the Sparrows Point facility, was designated a Superfund site in March 2022 with a $45 million cleanup planned for 60 acres of contaminated sediments. Other contaminated Bethlehem sites exist in Texas, New York, and California.

Quick Statistics

• Over 180,000 workers employed in Bethlehem's 15 shipyards during peak WWII production
• 1,127+ vessels constructed during World War II, equaling one-fifth of the U.S. naval fleet
• 80% of Baltimore shipyard workers showed asbestos-related lung damage in late 1970s study
• Mesothelioma mortality 575% higher than expected among shipyard workers (SMR: 575)
• Asbestosis mortality 2,277% higher than expected among shipyard workers (SMR: 2,277)
• $15.3 million largest single verdict for a Bethlehem shipyard mesothelioma case
• $37 billion+ available in asbestos trust funds across 60+ active trusts industry-wide
• 42.8 years median latency period between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma diagnosis
• 11% of shipyard workers' wives developed pulmonary asbestos disease from secondary exposure
• 298 asbestos products mandated by Navy specifications for use in ship construction

Get Help

If you or a family member worked at a Bethlehem Shipbuilding facility or served on a Bethlehem-built vessel, you may be eligible for compensation from multiple sources including trust funds, lawsuits, and VA benefits. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney to evaluate your claim.

• Danziger & De Llano — Nationwide mesothelioma attorneys with experience in shipyard asbestos cases. Call (855) 699-5441 or visit https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-lawyer/
• Mesothelioma Lawyers Near Me — Find an attorney and take a free case evaluation quiz at https://mesotheliomalawyersnearme.com
• Mesothelioma.net — Comprehensive patient resources for shipyard workers and veterans at https://mesothelioma.net/shipyard-workers-asbestos-exposure/

Related Pages

• Fore River Shipyard — Bethlehem Steel subsidiary in Quincy, Massachusetts
• New York Shipbuilding — Major East Coast WWII shipbuilder
• Newport News Shipbuilding — One of the "Big Three" WWII shipbuilders
• Kaiser Shipyards — West Coast WWII shipbuilding operation
• Insulation Workers — Highest-risk occupation for asbestos exposure
• Boilermakers — High-exposure shipyard trade
• Secondary Exposure — Take-home asbestos exposure affecting families
• Asbestos Trust Funds — Compensation from bankrupt asbestos manufacturers
• Veterans Benefits — VA benefits for asbestos-related diseases
• Mesothelioma — Overview of asbestos-caused cancer

References

Page Author: David Foster, Client Advocate, Danziger & De Llano, LLP