Navy Ships Asbestos Database

Navy Ships Asbestos Database
3,300+ Vessels Documented for Legal Claims
Total Vessels	3,300+ (1930-1980)
Navy Veterans %	33% of all meso cases
Max Asbestos/Ship	500+ tons (battleships)
Largest Verdict	$70.8 million
VA Rating	100% automatic
Phone	(855) 699-5441
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Executive Summary

This comprehensive database documents asbestos contamination across more than 3,300 United States Navy vessels constructed between 1930 and 1980, providing veterans and their families with the litigation-ready evidence needed to pursue compensation claims. Navy veterans account for approximately 33% of all mesothelioma diagnoses in the United States, representing roughly 1,000 new cases annually among this population. Individual warships contained up to 500 tons of asbestos materials, with Iowa-class battleships documenting approximately 465 tons of thermal insulation per vessel. Ship-specific litigation has produced verdicts reaching $70.8 million for a Navy machinist, establishing clear precedent for veterans seeking compensation through VA disability benefits, asbestos trust funds, and civil lawsuits simultaneously.

The U.S. Navy specified asbestos-containing materials for virtually every shipboard application requiring heat resistance, fireproofing, or thermal insulation. From the pipe lagging in engine rooms to the deck tiles in mess halls, asbestos was considered essential to naval vessel construction throughout the mid-twentieth century. Boiler technicians, machinist's mates, pipefitters, and electrician's mates faced the highest exposure levels, but even sailors in non-engineering ratings encountered asbestos daily through insulated berthing compartments, galley steam lines, and firefighting equipment.

The scale of Navy asbestos use created a corresponding scale of corporate liability. Manufacturers including Johns-Manville, Owens Corning, and Pittsburgh Corning supplied millions of tons of asbestos products to Navy shipyards, and many of these companies have since established bankruptcy trusts totaling over $30 billion specifically to compensate victims. Veterans can file claims with multiple trusts based on the specific products used aboard their ships, while simultaneously pursuing VA disability compensation and civil litigation against solvent defendants.

Key Facts

Key Facts: Navy Ships Asbestos Exposure

Total Documented Vessels: 3,300+ Navy ships built 1930-1980 contained extensive asbestos materials Veteran Mesothelioma Rate: Navy veterans represent 33% of all mesothelioma cases in the United States Asbestos Per Battleship: Iowa-class vessels contained approximately 465-500 tons of thermal insulation Submarine Fleet Total: 62,465 tons of asbestos-containing materials across the submarine fleet Largest Single Verdict: $70.8 million awarded to Navy machinist Robert Whalen in 2014 Average Settlements: $1 million to $1.4 million for Navy veteran mesothelioma cases VA Disability Rating: 100% automatic rating for mesothelioma diagnosis worth $4,044/month Active Trust Funds: 60+ trusts with $30+ billion available for Navy veteran claims High-Risk Ratings: Machinist's mates, boiler technicians face 6.47x higher mesothelioma mortality WWII Shipyard Workers: 4.5 million Americans worked in shipyards during World War II

Which Navy Ship Classes Had the Most Asbestos Exposure?

Every vessel constructed before 1983 contained asbestos-containing materials throughout its structure, but certain ship classes presented dramatically higher exposure risks based on size, mission, and construction period. Understanding ship-specific contamination levels strengthens compensation claims by establishing the intensity and duration of exposure.

Aircraft Carriers: Highest Total Asbestos Content

Aircraft carriers contained the greatest total asbestos quantities due to their massive size and complex propulsion systems. The USS Forrestal (CV-59), commissioned in 1955 as the Navy's first supercarrier, documented asbestos in turbines, boilers, steam pipes, spray coatings, firefighting equipment, pumps, gaskets, valves, flooring, ceiling materials, deck matting, and throughout virtually every compartment of the 1,039-foot vessel.

Ship Name	Hull Number	Service Years	Crew Size	Asbestos Locations	Current Status
USS Forrestal	CV-59	1955-1993	2,764	Engine rooms, flight deck, all berthing areas	Scrapped 2015
USS Enterprise	CVN-65	1961-2012	5,000+	Nuclear compartments, steam systems, throughout	Decommissioning
USS Midway	CV-41	1945-1992	4,500	Boiler rooms, machine shops, hangar bays	Museum, San Diego
USS Kitty Hawk	CV-63	1961-2009	5,000	Catapult rooms, machinery spaces, quarters	Decommissioned
USS Intrepid	CV-11	1943-1974	2,600+	Extensive all areas, documented litigation	Museum, NYC
USS Coral Sea	CV-43	1947-1990	4,200	Throughout ship systems	Scrapped (criminal case)

The USS Enterprise (CVN-65), the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and longest warship ever built at 1,123 feet, maintained a dedicated onboard Emergency Asbestos Rip-Out Team (EART) responsible for removing and replacing worn asbestos insulation between 1960 and 1979. Over 100,000 sailors served aboard the "Big E" during her 51-year career.

Battleships: 465-500 Tons Per Vessel

Iowa-class battleships represent the most documented class for asbestos content, with Navy specifications confirming approximately 465-500 tons of thermal insulation per ship. The four Iowa-class vessels—USS Iowa (BB-61), USS New Jersey (BB-62), USS Missouri (BB-63), and USS Wisconsin (BB-64)—each contained eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers and four General Electric steam turbines requiring massive asbestos insulation.

Ship Name	Hull Number	Asbestos Content	Construction Shipyard	Current Status
USS Iowa	BB-61	~500 tons insulation	Brooklyn Navy Yard	Museum, Los Angeles
USS New Jersey	BB-62	~500 tons insulation	Philadelphia Navy Yard	Museum, Camden NJ
USS Missouri	BB-63	~465 tons insulation	Brooklyn Navy Yard	Museum, Pearl Harbor
USS Wisconsin	BB-64	~500 tons insulation	Philadelphia Navy Yard	Museum, Norfolk

"Veterans who served on Iowa-class battleships often describe working in environments where asbestos insulation covered every pipe, valve, and boiler surface in the engineering spaces. The scale of contamination made exposure unavoidable during routine maintenance."

— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

Destroyers: 175 Fletcher-Class Vessels

The destroyer fleet included thousands of vessels across multiple classes, with WWII-era designs containing approximately 24-30 tons of thermal insulation per ship. The Fletcher-class alone comprised 175 ships built between 1942-1944, making it one of the most widely served-upon destroyer classes in Navy history.

Class	Number Built	Service Period	Asbestos Content	Litigation Frequency
Fletcher-class	175	1942-1970s	~25 tons thermal insulation	Very High
Gearing-class	98	1945-1980s	Substantial in machinery	High
Sumner-class	58	1943-1970s	Heavy throughout	High
Spruance-class	31	1975-2005	Reduced but present	Moderate
Forrest Sherman	18	1955-1980s	Heavy insulation	Moderate

Submarines: Confined Space Exposure Multiplier

Submarine crews faced unique and amplified asbestos exposure due to the sealed environment with limited ventilation. The total submarine fleet contained an estimated 62,465 tons of asbestos-containing materials, and the confined atmosphere meant asbestos fibers remained airborne for days rather than hours, creating what experts describe as a "confinement exposure multiplier" of 2-5 times surface ship exposure levels.

Class	Type	Number Built	Crew Size	Confinement Factor
Gato-class	Diesel	77	60-80	Very High
Balao-class	Diesel	120	66-85	Very High
Los Angeles-class	Nuclear	62	129	High
Ohio-class	Nuclear SSBN	18	155	Moderate-High

✓ Submarine Service Advantage: Submarine veterans have particularly strong presumptive exposure evidence for VA claims due to the documented confined space risks and the fleet's total 62,465-ton asbestos inventory.

What Are the Documented Verdicts and Settlements for Navy Ship Asbestos Cases?

Ship-specific mesothelioma litigation has established significant precedent values that inform current case evaluations and provide benchmarks for compensation expectations.

Landmark Navy Vessel Verdicts

Amount	Year	Plaintiff/Rating	Ship(s)	Defendants
$70.8 million	2014	Robert Whalen, Machinist	Multiple Navy ships	John Crane
$40.1 million	—	Walter, Boiler Tender	Multiple vessels	Asbestos manufacturers
$35.1 million	2007	John R. Davis, Boiler Tender	USS DeHaven	Leslie Controls, Warren Pumps
$32 million	2011	Boiler Tender	7 Navy ships (1960-77)	Multiple defendants
$20 million	2018	Shipfitter	Multiple vessels	Burnham Commercial
$12.1 million	—	Machinist's Mate	USS Kitty Hawk	Multiple defendants
$1.4 million	2009	Veteran (widow)	USS Intrepid	Multiple defendants
$1 million	—	Pipefitter (widow)	USS America	Owens-Corning

Average mesothelioma settlements for Navy veterans range from $1 million to $1.4 million, while trial verdicts average $2.4 million to $11.4 million. Over 99% of cases settle before trial, providing more predictable outcomes for veterans and families.

"The $70.8 million verdict for Robert Whalen demonstrated that courts recognize the massive scale of Navy asbestos exposure. His 26-year career exposed him to products from manufacturers who knew the dangers but continued supplying the fleet."

— Rod De Llano, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

Which Asbestos Manufacturers Supplied Navy Vessels?

Identifying specific manufacturers who supplied asbestos products to Navy vessels is essential for trust fund claims, as each bankrupt manufacturer established separate trusts with different payment percentages.

Primary Navy Asbestos Suppliers (1940-1980)

Johns-Manville Corporation was the world's largest asbestos products manufacturer from 1858-1982, supplying insulation products including Thermobestos Block, 352 Insulating Cement, and Fibrocel Insulation to virtually all Navy vessels. The Johns Manville Trust now pays $17,500 actual payout for mesothelioma claims (5.1% of $350,000 scheduled value).

Babcock & Wilcox supplied marine boilers to the U.S. Navy since 1889, equipping over 4,000 military vessels during WWII including all Iowa-class battleships with 8 boilers each. The trust pays approximately $12,000 per mesothelioma claim (8% of $150,000 scheduled value).

Crane Company manufactured high-pressure steam valves with asbestos gaskets and "Cranite" packing material containing long-fiber asbestos. Each Navy ship contained 1,500 to 15,000 Crane valves with gaskets containing up to 90% asbestos.

Garlock Sealing Technologies manufactured gaskets and packing containing 75-90% asbestos for submarine and surface vessel applications, including compression packing, valve stem packing, and spiral wound gaskets.

Buffalo Pumps, Inc. supplied marine pumps containing braided asbestos rope packing and asbestos gaskets to vessels including USS Halsey, USS Bigelow, and USS Triton.

Manufacturer	Products Supplied	Trust Payment %	Ship Applications
Johns-Manville	Insulation, cement, fireproofing	5.1%	All Navy vessels
Babcock & Wilcox	Marine boilers, gaskets	8%	Iowa-class, carriers, destroyers
Foster Wheeler	Type "D" oil-fired boilers	Active litigation	USS America, USS Chukawan
Combustion Engineering	Boilers, turbine components	29.5%	Multiple carriers, destroyers
Owens Corning	Kaylo insulation (amosite)	4.7%	Fleet-wide usage
Pittsburgh Corning	Cellular glass insulation	7%	Boiler applications
Crane Company	Valves, gaskets, packing	Active litigation	1,500-15,000 per ship
Garlock	Gaskets, packing (75-90% asbestos)	Trust established	Submarines, surface ships

Which Naval Ratings Faced the Highest Asbestos Exposure?

The Department of Veterans Affairs has classified Navy occupational ratings by asbestos exposure probability, with certain ratings documented at 6.47 times higher mesothelioma mortality than the general population. For complete rating-by-rating exposure classifications, see Navy Occupational Ratings.

Extreme Risk Ratings (SMR 6.47 - Highest Documented Risk)

Boiler Technicians (BT) operated and maintained ship propulsion boilers with direct daily contact with Babcock & Wilcox and Combustion Engineering asbestos insulation, refractory materials, gaskets, and valve packing. Documented fiber concentrations in boiler rooms reached 40-150 fibers/cm³ during maintenance operations.

Machinist's Mates (MM) operated and repaired propulsion and auxiliary machinery wrapped in asbestos insulation, including Westinghouse and General Electric turbines, Buffalo Pumps, and Crane Company valves. The $70.8 million verdict for machinist Robert Whalen confirmed the exceptional exposure levels for this rating.

Water Tenders (WT) controlled boiler water chemistry and feed water systems requiring constant proximity to heavily insulated boiler systems. Combined with boiler technicians and machinist's mates, these three ratings demonstrated mortality rates 6.47 times higher than baseline population.

High Risk Ratings (Highly Probable Exposure)

Hull Maintenance Technicians (HT) performed metal work, welding, and plumbing maintenance requiring cutting through insulated pipes and welding near asbestos-containing materials.

Electrician's Mates (EM) installed and maintained electrical systems with asbestos-containing cable insulation, panel boards, and junction boxes throughout vessel compartments.

Damage Controlmen (DC) wore asbestos protective clothing, maintained fire boundaries containing asbestos insulation, and conducted emergency repairs disturbing asbestos materials under combat conditions.

Rating	Abbreviation	Primary Exposure Sources	Risk Level
Boiler Technician	BT	Boiler insulation, refractory, gaskets	Extreme (6.47x)
Machinist's Mate	MM	Turbines, pumps, valves	Extreme (6.47x)
Water Tender	WT	Boiler systems, feed water	Extreme (6.47x)
Pipefitter/Shipfitter	SF	Pipe insulation removal/installation	Very High
Hull Maintenance Tech	HT	Cutting insulated pipes, welding	High
Electrician's Mate	EM	Cable insulation, panels	High
Damage Controlman	DC	Fire boundaries, emergency repairs	High
Gunner's Mate	GM	Weapons system insulation	Moderate-High
Engineman	EN	Diesel engine insulation, gaskets	Moderate-High

ℹ Important: Even ratings not traditionally associated with engineering spaces had asbestos exposure. Mess Specialists (MS) worked around galley steam lines, Gunner's Mates (GM) serviced turret insulation, and aviation rates encountered hangar bay fireproofing.

What Is the Current Status of Museum Ships with Asbestos?

Several Navy vessels now operate as museums while retaining legacy asbestos materials in non-public areas, creating ongoing exposure concerns for maintenance workers and contractors.

Active Museum Ships with Documented Asbestos

USS Missouri (BB-63) at Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii opened to visitors January 29, 1999. Original asbestos-containing materials remain present with monitoring and management protocols in restricted areas while public access areas have been abated.

USS Midway (CV-41) at Navy Pier in San Diego opened June 10, 2004 as a museum and educational center. The 1,000+ foot aircraft carrier contained extensive asbestos throughout its structure with visitor areas treated and monitoring protocols established.

USS Intrepid (CV-11) at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City opened August 3, 1982. A $1.4 million verdict was awarded in 2009 for the widow of an Intrepid veteran, confirming the vessel's documented asbestos presence.

USS Iowa (BB-61) at Port of Los Angeles opened July 7, 2012 with historical asbestos-containing materials documented in pipe insulation and boiler room areas.

USS Alabama (BB-60) at Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama opened January 9, 1965. Modern preservation standards have removed or encapsulated hazardous materials with no asbestos risk to current visitors per facility management.

What VA Benefits Are Available for Navy Veterans with Mesothelioma?

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma receive automatic 100% VA disability ratings worth $4,044.91 monthly for married veterans, plus access to free healthcare and additional allowances that can total over $60,000 annually.

VA Disability Compensation Rates (2025)

Benefit Type	Monthly Amount	Annual Total	Notes
100% Disability (single)	$3,831.30	$45,976	Mesothelioma automatic rating
100% Disability (married)	$4,044.91	$48,539	With spouse
Special Monthly Comp (SMC-K)	+$132.74	+$1,593	Loss of use
Aid & Attendance	+$400-$800	+$9,600	If needed for daily activities
DIC (Surviving Spouse)	$1,612.75	$19,353	After veteran's death
DIC (Per Child)	+$342.46	+$4,110	Additional per dependent child

✓ Critical Benefit: VA disability payments are NOT reduced by lawsuit settlements or trust fund recoveries. Veterans can receive VA benefits AND legal compensation simultaneously—these are completely separate funding sources.

Trust Fund Claims for Navy Veterans

Navy veterans typically qualify for 5-8 different asbestos trust funds based on manufacturers who supplied their specific ships. Major trusts serving Navy veterans include:

Trust Fund	Total Assets	Payment %	Navy Connection
Johns-Manville	$2.5 billion	5.1%	Insulation in all vessels
Owens Corning	$3.4 billion	4.7%	Kaylo insulation fleet-wide
Pittsburgh Corning	$3.4 billion	7%	Boiler applications
U.S. Gypsum	$3.9 billion	5.9%	Construction materials
Combustion Engineering	$1.4 billion	29.5%	Naval boiler manufacturer
Babcock & Wilcox	$1.85 billion	4.7%	Boilers on 4,000+ vessels

Combined trust fund recoveries for Navy veterans with documented exposure typically range from $180,000 to $400,000 when filing with multiple trusts simultaneously.

How Can Veterans Document Ship-Specific Asbestos Exposure?

Proving naval asbestos exposure requires gathering documentation from multiple sources that connect specific ships, duty periods, and asbestos-containing products.

Required Documentation for Claims

DD-214 Discharge Papers verify military service dates, ships assigned, and duty stations. Veterans should highlight all sea duty assignments showing specific hull numbers and deployment dates.

Ship Assignment Records proving presence on specific vessels are available through the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis and ship deck logs held by the National Archives (Record Group 19) through 1983.

Medical Diagnosis Documentation must include pathology reports with special staining to differentiate mesothelioma from other cancers, imaging studies showing tumor location, and pulmonary function tests documenting respiratory impairment.

Nexus Letter from a physician stating the disease is "at least as likely as not" service-connected, referencing specific ship asbestos content data from this database.

Buddy Statements from fellow service members describing asbestos exposure conditions aboard specific vessels.

"The National Archives Record Group 19 contains Bureau of Ships specifications documenting asbestos requirements for every Navy vessel. When combined with duty records showing specific ship assignments, these documents create powerful evidence for compensation claims."

— Paul Danziger, Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano

National Archives Documentation Sources

Record Group 19 - Bureau of Ships (BuShips) contains ship specifications, construction contracts, material procurement records, and asbestos material inventories. Some records remain frozen due to ongoing litigation but are accessible through discovery in asbestos cases.

Naval Ships Technical Manual Chapter 9390 established mandatory asbestos handling procedures including waste disposal in sealed polyethylene bags and rip-out protocols, documenting Navy knowledge of asbestos hazards.

Military Specification MIL-I-24244A titled "Insulation Materials, Thermal, With Special Corrosion and Chloride Requirements" governed mandatory asbestos specifications for Navy vessel insulation systems from 1974 forward.

What Were the Navy Ship Scrapping Exposure Incidents?

Ship scrapping operations generated extreme asbestos exposures, with the USS Coral Sea demolition resulting in criminal prosecution for improper asbestos handling.

USS Coral Sea Criminal Case (1993-1994)

The scrapping of USS Coral Sea (CV-43) at the Seawitch facility in Baltimore Harbor resulted in a seven-count federal indictment for improper asbestos removal and disposal. Workers reported asbestos insulation "falling in pieces" when pipes were knocked with wrenches, with Baltimore Sun interviews describing "fine dust like snow lying everywhere" and air quality "cloudy with asbestos dust."

Investigators found asbestos in "virtually every compartment" of the ship, and 11 of 12 debris samples tested contained greater than 1% asbestos content. The Navy allegedly misled the contractor about the quantity and condition of asbestos onboard.

MARAD Ghost Fleet Hazards

The Maritime Administration's National Defense Reserve Fleet in the James River, Virginia contained nearly 200 obsolete vessels with 13 million gallons of oil/fuel, asbestos, and PCBs. A 2005 GAO Report found MARAD made inadequate progress disposing of these "ticking time bombs," with only 12% of the 2001 inventory disposed by 2004 despite over $80 million appropriated.

Get Help Today

If you or a family member served aboard any Navy vessel built before 1983 and received a mesothelioma diagnosis, you may qualify for substantial compensation through VA disability benefits, asbestos trust funds, and civil litigation—all of which can be pursued simultaneously without reducing your other benefits.

Free, Confidential Case Evaluation Call (855) 699-5441 or visit dandell.com/contact-us No upfront fees • Experienced representation • National practice

⚠ Statute of Limitations Warning: Filing deadlines vary by state from 1-6 years from diagnosis. Texas allows 2 years from diagnosis or discovery. Contact an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.