Battleships and Asbestos

The U.S. Navy constructed many of its battleships with asbestos in hundreds of components. These materials caused exposure, and many veterans who served on battleships now face life-threatening illnesses. Navy veterans with mesothelioma and other asbestos illnesses are entitled to benefits.

If you or a loved one have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for a large amount of compensation. Currently, there is over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds set up for those who have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness. Fill out our form to get a free Financial Compensation Packet. You’ll learn about the experienced mesothelioma lawyers in your area, how to get paid in 90 days, how to file a claim for the asbestos trust funds, and more.

About Battleships in The U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy constructed its battleships with asbestos components for decades. Battleships were the most powerful warships during the 19th and 20th centuries.

• The first use of battleships was during the 1700s.
• During World War I, battleships dominated as the military’s best naval weapon. They were armored and included heavy artillery.
• The dreadnought battleship was the most common type of battleship used in the 20th century.
• The ship designation for battleships was BB. Different classes within the BB designation included fast, standard, and coast defense battleships.
• Battleships began to decline as the most powerful Navy vessels when World War II began. By the end of the war, the construction of battleships ceased.
• Aircraft carriers replaced the once-powerful battleships. Battleships, to this day, remain inactive.
• The last battleships struck from the U.S. Naval Registry in 2006 were the USS Wisconsin and the USS Iowa.

A History of Battleships in the U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy’s first armored, modern battleship was the USS Monitor. The Union used it during the Civil War. The Confederate States also had a battleship, the CSS Virginia.

These early battleships led to the development of more modern versions. Battleships were armored and armed and used for attack and defense. They were built to be a balance between big and powerful and also fast.

The U.S. Navy’s 20th-century battleships were modeled after Great Britain’s 190s HMS Dreadnought, a ship both fast and heavily armored. This kind of ship continued to evolve and peaked during World War II.

After the war, the development of radar began to make battleships obsolete. Radar and aircraft allowed militaries to detect enemy craft. Aircraft carriers could then bring the battle to any location in the world. Battleships were no longer needed to fight at sea or support land battles.

The U.S. Navy decommissioned many battleships after World War II. Some continued to be used in specialized situations and to support other ships or land actions. The last battleships were decommissioned in 2006.

Why Was Asbestos Used on U.S. Navy Battleships?

The U.S. Navy used asbestos on all of its ships for several decades. Before the health risks of asbestos were widely known, it was prized for its ability to insulate against heat and protect against fire.

Asbestos was also lightweight, abundant, and inexpensive. The Navy took advantage of these properties and used asbestos in hundreds of components in battleships and other vessels.

According to U.S. military records and documents, over 300 asbestos-containing products were used to construct U.S. Navy vessels.

Where Was Asbestos Used on Battleships?

Asbestos went into nearly every area of battleships. Some of the most common uses for asbestos on Navy vessels include:

• Insulation
• Boilers
• Pipe lagging
• Gaskets
• Seals
• Valves
• Pumps
• Firefighting gear
• Textiles
• Paint
• Flooring materials
• Ceiling panels

How High Was the Risk of Asbestos Exposure on Navy Ships?

Anyone serving on board battleships with asbestos was at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a fibrous material. It easily sheds tiny fibers that anyone in the area can inadvertently inhale or ingest.

Asbestos fibers get lodged inside the body, causing inflammation and tissue and cell damage. In some people, this damage leads to later illnesses, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis.

Many people worked with or around asbestos in several industries and in the military. Veterans who served on ships had some of the highest risks of exposure and later illness for several reasons:

• Working with asbestos materials caused fibers to shed, leading to exposure.
• Battleships and other Navy vessels contained asbestos in hundreds of components.
• Small interior spaces and poor ventilation made it more likely that people on ships would inhale disturbed asbestos fibers.
• Veterans who served on ships were on board for weeks and months at a time, putting them at risk for constant exposure.

Which Veterans Were at Risk for Asbestos Exposure on Battleships?

Anyone who served on U.S. battleships risked asbestos exposure, but some had higher risks than others. The risk level varied depending on where a person worked and their role on the ship. Those stationed in small areas of the ship with limited ventilation and a lot of asbestos materials were at greatest risk:

• Boiler rooms
• Engine rooms
• Propulsion rooms
• Pump rooms
• Turrets
• Munition storage rooms

Repair and maintenance workers in any area of the ships also had a high risk of exposure. They disrupted asbestos materials, potentially dispersing fibers.

Which U.S. Battleships Contained Asbestos?

Most battleships built by the U.S. Navy contained asbestos. These are some of the ships with known asbestos components with their commissioning year:

• USS Alabama, 1942
• USS Arizona, 1916
• USS Arkansas, 1912
• USS California, 1921
• USS Colorado, 1923
• USS Delaware, 1910
• USS Florida, 1911
• USS Idaho, 1908
• USS Idaho, 1919
• USS Indiana, 1942
• USS Iowa, 1943
• USS Kansas, 1907
• USS Maryland, 1921
• USS Massachusetts, 1942
• USS Michigan, 1910
• USS Mississippi, 1917
• USS Missouri, 1944
• USS Nevada, 1916
• USS New Hampshire, 1908
• USS New Jersey, 1943
• USS New Mexico, 1918
• USS New York, 1914
• USS North Carolina, 1941
• USS North Dakota, 1910
• USS Oklahoma, 1916
• USS Pennsylvania,1916
• USS South Carolina, 1910
• USS South Dakota, 1942
• USS Tennessee, 1920
• USS Texas, 1914
• USS Utah, 1911
• USS Vermont, 1907
• USS Washington, 1941
• USS West Virginia, 1923
• USS Wisconsin, 1944
• USS Wyoming, 1912

Benefits for Veterans Who Served on Battleships

Mesothelioma is a devastating and costly illness. Veterans who served on U.S. battleships and now have an asbestos illness have options for seeking compensation.

VA Benefits

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers several options for benefits. Disabled veterans can file a claim for monthly disability compensation. The VA rates mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer as 100% disabling, qualifying these veterans for full benefits.

Veterans who need assistance in their homes due to illness and disability can also apply for special monthly compensation.

Benefits for families of veterans with mesothelioma include additional monthly disability payments, dependency and indemnity compensation, and burial benefits.

Specialist medical care is vital for anyone with mesothelioma. Veterans can seek care from specialists at several VA hospitals and medical centers nationwide.

Lawsuits and Asbestos Trust Funds

Veterans cannot sue the military over asbestos exposure, but they can sue companies that supplied the military. Veterans can file a lawsuit to seek a settlement from one or more asbestos companies.

Another option for compensation is to file a claim with an asbestos trust fund. Asbestos companies that went bankrupt set up these funds to compensate victims.

If you served on battleships and now have an asbestos illness, contact an experienced lawyer. Asbestos law firms can help you take legal action and seek compensation.

Additional Help and Assistance for Asbestos Victims

Don’t forget to fill out our form to get our free Financial Compensation Packet, filled with information on the experienced asbestos and mesothelioma attorneys in your area. Keep in mind that if you have mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or asbestosis, you may be eligible for considerable compensation to help cover medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. For additional assistance or if you have any questions, contact us at toll-free 800-793-4540.