Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS MARBLEHEAD CL 12 CRUISER

USS Marblehead was the third ship named for the town of Marblehead, Massachusetts. The cruiser belonged to United States Navy and was an Omaha-class light cruiser. Marblehead was laid down on 4th August 1920 by William Cramp and Sons and launched on 9th October 1923. The cruiser was sponsored by Mrs. Joseph Evans and commissioned on 8th September 1924; the first in command was Captain Chauncey Shackford. After her shakedown, visited Australia, Galapagos Islands, Nicaragua, Philippine Islands, Sea of Japan and in 1941 she took part at the Second World War. Marblehead returned to the United States, conducted a summer training cruise for Naval Academy midshipmen and then entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, where she decommissioned on 1st November 1945. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 28th November and her hulk was scrapped on 27th February 1946.

Here are the ship’s main characteristics as built:

  • Was an Omaha-class cruiser type
  • 7,160 tones
  • 555 feet in length
  • 458 officers and enlisted served on bard of the ship
  • A maximum speed of 34 knots
  • Ammunition consisting in torpedo tubes
  • Served in the World War II operating at the Battle of Makassar Strait and Operation Dragoon
  • Marblehead received two battle stars for World War II service

Asbestos on the USS Marblehead has serious consequences

The ships built in the period that USS Marblehead was built in all contained large amounts of asbestos under the form of insulating and fireproofing materials. This created a very dangerous environment for the crew members on board, especially because of the fact that asbestos was not known to be dangerous at the time. Asbestos materials were damaged and asbestos fibers were released into the air. Inhaling or swallowing these tiny fibers is the cause of many diseases today, and so was the case back then.

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

Make sure that you know all your legal rights because it might prove useful. If you are an asbestos victim and have served on board the Marblehead, contact a specialized asbestos attorney and let him know that you need legal advice. He or she will have an evaluation done on your situation and decide whether or not to file a claim. If so, it will allow you to pay for medical bills and receive the best treatment available.

Do not hesitate to contact an asbestos specialist. We will help you with information and advice absolutely free.