Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS LEXINGTON CV 16 AIRCRAFT

Nick-named “The Blue Ghost”, USS Lexington has all the characteristics of an Essex class aircraft carrier. She is the fifth ship to bare the name in the United States Navy, named in honor of a historical Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington. The USS Lexington should have been named Cabot, but during the construction, which lasted from the 15th of July 1941 to the 23rd of September 1942, the name was changed to honor the CV 2, lost the Battle of Coral Sea. Commissioned to active service on the 17th of February 1943, the USS Lexington was decommissioned shortly after the war, but was modernized and sent into active service again until the 8th of October 1991. She served in several important battles and received a Presidential Unit Citation and 11 battle stars for her service during the war. She is now a floating museum. The ships’ main characteristics are:

  • Essex class aircraft carrier
  • 36380 tons fully loaded
  • 872 feet in length
  • Eight boilers a four geared steam turbines, producing over 150000 horse power, provided propulsion, allowing for a top speed of 33 knots
  • Maximum range of 20000 nautical miles at cruising speed of 15 knots
  • Could carry a maximum of 110 aircraft (also carried jet engine fighter planes and helicopters)

Asbestos on the USS Lexington has serious consequences

Asbestos materials of the time were used to provide with insulation and fireproofing for certain equipment and spaces of the ships. These materials were not considered dangerous, but they were causing many health problems for the crew members, without these knowing the cause. Asbestos materials were worn off and tiny fibers of the mineral were released, allowing them to be inhaled or swallowed by any one nearby. None of the former crew members of the USS Lexington accused health problems that could have been related to asbestos exposure.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on board the USS Lexington? Contact an attorney!

Asbestos exposure will eventually prove harmful for anyone, especially for those that served on board United States Navy ships built during the World War II. If you are one of them, please contact an attorney and ask for legal advice regarding your case. He or she will help you receive important amounts that will allow the performing of appropriate treatment, and eventually be cured. Just make sure that you contact several of them and decide on the one you feel is best for you.

Please feel free to contact an asbestos professional in regarding with any type of issue associated with asbestos. Information you receive from us is completely free.