Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS COLUMBUS CA 74 CRUISER

The Baltimore class heavy cruiser known as the USS Columbus was the third United States Navy ship to bare the name of the city of Columbus, Ohio. Ordered on the 9th of September 1940, USS Columbus was built between the 28th of June 1943 and the 30th of November 1944. Construction services were provided by the Bethlehem Steel Company of Quincy, Massachusetts while sponsorship was provided by Mrs. E. G. Meyers. USS Columbus was commissioned to active duty on the 8th f June 1945, with Captain Allen Hobbs in command. During her active service, USS Columbus was the flagship COMCRUDESFLOT the whole 1966. She also acted in the Mediterranean between 1966 and 1974. The ship was finally decommissioned on the 31st of January 1975, being struck on the 9th of August 1976. USS Columbus was sold for scrap on the 3rd of October 1977. These are the ship’s main characteristics:

  • 13600 tons in weight
  • 674 feet in length
  • 32.6 knots was the maximum speed USS Columbus ever reached
  • 1906 crew on board, including officers
  • The ship carried large guns in small numbers, but very effective against stationary targets, such as shore buildings or slow transport ships

Asbestos on the USS Columbus has serious consequences

Similar to all other United States Navy ships, USS Columbus contained large amounts of asbestos containing materials. They were used to insulate and fireproof certain areas of the ship, and in doing so, these materials were exposed to constant damage done by the crew, that wasn’t aware of the dangers. Each time asbestos materials were damaged, they released dangerous fibers into the air. Crew members or repair team members swallowed these airborne fibers, and in time, they could develop a series of very severe illnesses.

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

Are you a former crew member of the USS Columbus? Make sure to contact an attorney for legal advice, and we recommend in doing so, especially if you have been exposed to asbestos on board the ship, and have developed a severe disease as a result. Any specialized mesothelioma or asbestos attorney can provide with the needed legal expertise to benefit from your situation as good as possible. Make sure that you visit several lawyers before deciding on the one to represent you.

Contact an asbestos specialist at any point, and let us help you with accurate and free information.