Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS BELKNAP CG 26 CRUISER

The United States Navy guided missile cruiser known as the USS Belknap, named in honor of Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap USN (1832-1903), was the lead ship in her class. The ship was ordered on the16th of May 1961 and construction was started on the 5th of February 1962, in the dry dock of Bath Iron Works. USS Belknap was completed and ready for action on the 20th of July 1963, and was commissioned to active duty on the 7th of November 1964. The only noticeable incident in USS Belknap’s active service was the collision with the USS John F. Kennedy. USS Belknap was decommissioned on the 15th of February 1995, and was struck on the 15th of September, the same year. She was sunk as a target a few years later. These are the ships’ characteristics:

  • Belknap class cruiser
  • 8957 tons displacement
  • 547 feet in length
  • Propulsion was done using two steam turbines, generating over 85000 horsepower
  • Maximum speed of 34 knots (as tested)
  • 64 officers together with 546 enlisted served on board
  • Was one of the most technologically advanced military ships when she was launched

Asbestos on the USS Belknap has serious consequences

The USS Belknap, as any other ship of the United States Navy fleet, was built using asbestos materials, in a variety of shapes and sizes, to insulate and fireproof the ship’s vital areas. These materials would have been completely safe if not damages, but due to the fact that asbestos was not considered dangerous at the time, nobody on board cared about damaging the above mentioned materials. When damaged, these materials release asbestos dust, which is very dangerous for humans, because inhaling or swallowing this type of fibers causes severe health problems, and can even result in death.

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

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease as result of exposure on board the USS Belknap, your medical bills are probably way over your budget. In this case we recommend seeing a specialized mesothelioma or asbestos lawyer, and have him or her evaluate your case. If you decide together that you should act legally towards receiving a certain amount as compensation, you will have to provide the lawyer with all available documents, legal and medical, as well as any other details you consider important to the case.

Contact an asbestos specialist whenever you require legal or medical assistance. We provide information at no cost at all.