Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS MONTPELIER CL 57 CRUISER

This light cruiser was one of twenty six U.S. Navy ships that were completed during or shortly after the Second World War. She was second cruiser to be named for the city of Montpelier, Vermont. Montpelier was commissioned on 9th September 1942, and saw service in several campaigns in the Pacific. Like almost all her sister ships, she was decommissioned shortly after the end of the war, and never saw active service again. Her captain was Leighton Wood, when she was launched on 12th February 1942. While making a sweep around beleaguered Guadalcanal, she participated in the Battle of Rennell Island, the last naval engagement of the Guadalcanal Campaign. After a run to Sydney, Australia, she joined Task Force 39 as its flagship for the invasion of the Treasury and Bougainville Islands. The cruiser hunted shipping routes south of Truk and participated in the invasion of the Emiraus, and began shelling Saipan on 14th June 1944 to support the Mariana Islands invasion. She joined Task Force 58 and participated in the decisive Battle of the Philippine Sea from 19 to 21st June 1944. During the engagement, Japanese carrier air groups were virtually annihilated. Montpelier was decommissioned and berthed in reserve at Philadelphia on 24th January 1947. The cruiser received 13 battle stars for World War II service. The ships main characteristics were:

  • Cleveland-class cruiser
  • Weight 10 000 tons
  • Length 608 feet
  • Complement of 1255 officers and enlisted

Asbestos on board the USS Montpelier has serious consequences

The period in which the cruiser was built large amounts of asbestos material was used. These materials were found under the form of insulating and fireproofing materials that created a very dangerous environment for the crew members on board of the Montpelier, especially that asbestos was not known to be dangerous back then. Tiny fibers of asbestos traveled thru the air and could have been swallowed by anyone on board. This resulted in serious health issues and asbestos cancer.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on the USS Montpelier? 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 Montpelier, 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 completely free.