Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS IOWA BB 61 BATTLESHIP

The USS Iowa is one of the most long lasting vessels of the United States Navy. She has been ordered on the 1st of July 1939, was finished three years later, on the 27th of August 1942, and commissioned to active duty on the 22nd of February the next year.

There are a few special characteristics about this battleship: the USS Iowa was the last lead battleship of its’ kind and the only ship in its’ class to have been commissioned in the Atlantic ocean during active service, in the second World War. She was also the presidential transport ship for President Roosevelt to and from the conference the attended in Tehran.

USS Iowa was awarded 11 battle stars during her active service for the United States Navy. These were the ship’s main attributes:

  • Iowa class battleship
  • Weighing in at 45000 tons
  • Almost 890 feet in length
  • The advanced propulsion system allowed for a maximum speed of 33 knots, which was unsurpassed at the time
  • 151 officers and a crew of 2637 men and women served on board the USS Iowa, under the command of Captain John L. McCrea

The ship is currently withdrawn from active service, but has not been struck yet, still being part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. This makes her one of the last World War II still around.

Asbestos USS Iowa caused disease

It is widely known that insulation and fireproofing materials on board United States Navy vessel contained high amounts of asbestos. Unfortunately, this type of material is made using friable asbestos which easily releases fibers in the air even when slightly damaged. All of the vessel’s members have been exposed to asbestos, that is for sure, but none of them have been accusing health problems that could be related to the asbestos on board the ship. USS Iowa is one of the few ships that did not lose any crew members during active service.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on USS Iowa? Contact an attorney!

We recommend any former or present crew member or officer that was stationed on board the USS Iowa to contact a doctor for a complete physical analysis. If your doctor discovers any sign of a disease that could have been caused by asbestos exposure we recommend that you contact a specialized attorney. He or she will evaluate your case and decide whether or not you should act further. You should decide together with the lawyer the way you wish to act, but we recommend following the lawyers advice.

Please feel free to contact an asbestos expert in regard to any questions you might have. Receiving an answer does not cost a thing.