Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS MEMPHIS CL 13 CRUISER

The Omaha-class light cruiser of the United States Navy, Memphis, was the fourth Navy ship named for the city of Memphis, Tennessee. The cruiser was laid down on 14th October 1920 by William Cramp and Sons. Being launched four years later on 17th April, the ship was sponsored by Miss Elizabeth R. Paine, daughter of Mayor Rowlett Paine. When the ship was commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 4th February 1925, Captain Henry E. Lackey was the first in command. After the shakedown in the Caribbean, Memphis sailed for Europe, arriving in France on 26th June 1946, and then as flagship of Commander, US Naval Forces in Europe on 4th July, she operated in European waters into 1927. During the World War II, on 18th February, Memphis arrived at Algiers for President Roosevelt's last Allied conference before his return to the United States. For the next eight months, she continued to receive distinguished leaders. She participated in the first anniversary ceremonies of the Allied landings at St. Raphael and St. Tropez, southern France on 15th August and the Navy Day festivities at Naples, Italy on 27th October. Late in November, Memphis departed Tangier for Philadelphia, Pa., where she decommissioned on 17th December. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 8th January 1946 and sold to Patapsco Scrap Co., Bethlehem, Pa. on 18th December for scrapping following delivery on 10th January 1947. Here are the ship’s main characteristics as built:

  • Omaha-light cruiser
  • 7,050 tones
  • 555 feet length
  • Maximum speed of 35 knots
  • 790 officers and enlisted served on board

Asbestos on the USS Memphis has serious consequences

The ships built in the period that USS Memphis 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 Memphis? 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 Memphis, 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.