Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS NORTHAMPTON CA 26 CRUISER

The heavy cruiser was the lead ship of its class in the United States Navy. The ship was launched on 5th September 1929 and commissioned on 17th May 1930; Captain Walter N. Vernou was in command. Redesigned as CA-26 in 1931, she operated primarily in the Pacific from 1932, home ported at San Pedro, and later at Pearl Harbor. Northampton was one of six ships to receive the new RCA CXAMRADAR in 1940. During the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26th October 1942, which took place without surface contact with the enemy, Northampton went to the aid of the carrier Hornet, mortally wounded by enemy aircraft, but it couldn’t be saved. The ship next operated with a cruiser-destroyer force, to prevent the Japanese from reinforcing their troops on Guadalcanal. The Battle of Tassafaronga began just about midnight on 30th November, when three American destroyers made a surprise torpedo attack on the Japanese. All American ships then opened fire and the startled enemy could not return fire for seven minutes. In spite of the surprise attacks, the USS Northampton suffered heavy damage, during the battle, and sunk that night. The cruiser received six battle stars for World War II service.

Some of the ships technical details are:

  • Northampton-class heavy cruiser
  • Weight 9050 tons
  • Length 600 feet
  • Speed 32.5 knots (37.4 mph)
  • Complement of 621 officers and enlisted

Asbestos on board the USS Northampton has serious consequences

This ship was a part of the so called “asbestos cruisers”, which contained large amounts of asbestos material on board, under the form of insulating and fireproofing materials. This means that any crew member and officers on board lived in a dangerous environment. The material made from asbestos could have been damaged and tiny particles or fibers inhaled by anyone on board. All of this inhaled asbestos material is the cause of many diseases today, and so was in the time of the cruiser.

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

You can make sure that you are totally aware of your legal rights, in case you or someone you know came in contact with asbestos, because it might prove to be useful. You can contact a specialized asbestos attorney to review your case and advise you to further action. If you can make a claim, it will allow you to pay for medical bills and receive the best treatment possible.

Do not hesitate to contact an asbestos specialist for further information and advice. This service is completely free.