Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS MASSACHUSETTS BB 59 BATTLESHIP

Known as “Big Mamie”, the USS Massachusetts was ordered on the 15th of December 1938 with sponsorship from Mrs. Charles Francis Adams. The ship took almost three years to complete, until the 23rd of September 1941. She was commissioned into active service on the 12th of May 1942. After her decommission in 1947, the USS Massachusetts has served as a museum ship. The commander on board the USS Massachusetts was Captain Francis E.M. Whiting. At his command, the ship received eleven battle stars for the services provided during the Second World War It has operated in both the Pacific and Atlantic theaters of operations.

The honors received were due to the captain’s experience and battlefield expertise, but also to the ships characteristics:

  • South Dakota class battleship
  • Weighed 35500 tons with standard equipment, 500 tons more after upgrades and overhauls
  • 681 feet in total length
  • Maximum speed of almost 30 knots, capable of cruising constantly at 21 knots (resulted after tests)
  • Crew of 115 officers and 1678 men and women

The ship built by the Fore River Shipyard was able to cruise with a speed of 21 knots constantly. The ship is now exhibited at a naval museum, and waits to receive the status of national historical landmark.

Asbestos USS Massachusetts caused disease

The USS Massachusetts was built following a design that included the heavy use of asbestos materials to provide with insulation and fireproofing. Even if constant exposure to asbestos occurred on the ship, only some of the ship’s crew members reported problems that we could see as caused by asbestos. The most important aspect is that none of them died as a result of such a disease.

Repair crews and workers in the ship yard where the vessel was built were also exposed to asbestos regularly. No reports of deceased have been recorded, although there might have been a few cases of more severe diseases related to asbestos exposure.

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

There are any numbers of available legal actions an asbestos victim can undertake. We recommend that any former crew member visits a doctor prior to any other actions. If the diagnosis shows that you are suffering from an asbestos disease, you should immediately contact a lawyer for appropriate legal expertise. He can tell you if you are entitled to compensation, and if you are, all legal requirements will be handled with professionalism by the above mentioned lawyer. You will only have to provide your lawyer with all available documents, especially those proving your illness and where it originated.

Feel free contact an asbestos expert us at any point. We can provide with useful information, absolutely free.