Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS WEST VIRGINIA BB 48 BATTLESHIP

The second ship to be named in honor of the 35th state, the USS West Virginia, was a vessel built with sponsorship from Miss Alice Wright Mann, daughter of Isaac T. Mann, a prominent West Virginian. She was nick-named “Wee Vee”. The USS West Virginia was ordered on the 5th of December 1916, and construction started on the 12th of April (four years later). The battleship entered active service on the 1st of December 1923, and stayed in active service until the 9th of January 1947.

At the command of Captain Thomas J. Senn the USS West Virginia was awarded five battle stars for her service during the Second World War Some of these outstanding characteristics helped the USS West Virginia achieve those awards:

  • Colorado class battleship
  • 33590 tons in weight
  • 624 feet long
  • Maximum speed of 21 knots
  • At the cruise speed of 12 knots the battleship achieved a range of almost 12000 nautical miles
  • 1407 officers and crew served on board the USS West Virginia
  • Vast weapons arsenal, upgraded in numerous overhauls

After barely surviving the attack on Pearl Harbor, the ship was eventually sold for scrap after she was struck from navy registers, on the 1st of March 1959.

Asbestos USS West Virginia caused disease

The USS West Virginia was built using several types of asbestos materials. These were used to insulate ad fireproof several parts of the ship, including the crew deck. While being constantly damaged, these asbestos materials released deadly fibers into the air, and crew were exposed to these airborne fibers.

No records exist of any crew member having developed asbestos related diseases. Although there some people accusing some symptoms that might have been caused by exposure to asbestos, there are no official records of that. People that repaired and upgraded the USS West Virginia were equally exposed to this threat.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on the USS West Virginia? Contact an attorney!

Expert attorneys have noticed that former crew members on board World War 2 American Navy battleships have been constantly exposed to asbestos, and recommend these people to visit a doctor. If the diagnosis shows that they have indeed been exposed to asbestos and developed a related disease, they should contact an attorney and receive information regarding legal actions they could undertake.

Please feel free to contact an asbestos expert. We provide with useful information related to asbestos issues, completely free.