Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS OAKLAND CL 95 CRUISER

The cruiser was a modified Atlanta-class light cruiser, the first of a group of four sometimes referred to as the "Oakland-class". The USS Oakland was launched on 23rd October 1942, sponsored by Dr. Aurelia H. Reinhardt and commissioned on 17th July 1943, with Captain William K. Phillips in command. The ship was named for the city of Oakland, California and like the Atlanta-class; the Oakland-class was designed as an anti-aircraft cruiser, with a main battery of dual-purpose guns. Oakland sustained three casualties during World War II. On 10th April 1945, Oakland was reassigned to Task Force 58.3 for the remainder of the Okinawa campaign. She came under air attack again on 11th April with her gunners splashing a dive bomber. Sailing on 30th August 1945 to the most important rendezvous of her career, the cruiser dropped anchor in Tokyo Bay the next day, outside the breakwater of the Yokosuka Naval Base. Berthed several thousand yards away from the USS Missouri, Oakland provided a box seat for her sailors to witness the unforgettable conclusion to their war. From July 1946 to January 1947, Oakland operated in and around San Diego as a Fleet Gunnery Training Ship, and she participated in a Western Pacific training cruise. The cruiser was reclassified as CLAA-95 and was decommissioned at San Francisco on the 1st July 1949. Her main characteristics:

  • Weight 6000 tons
  • Length 541 feet
  • Speed 32.5 knots
  • Received nine battle stars for her service in World War II

Asbestos on the USS Oakland 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 Oakland, especially that asbestos was not known to be dangerous back then. Tiny fibers of asbestos were dispersed into 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 board the USS Oakland? Contact an attorney!

If you think you, or someone you know, might have been exposed to asbestos on the USS Oakland don’t hesitate to contact a specialized attorney, because you could be entitled to some form of compensation. The lawyer will look at your case and then file a claim in your name and advice you how to proceed further to obtain that compensation. If so, it will allow you to pay for medical bills and receive the best treatment available.

Please feel free to contact an asbestos specialist at any time for valuable legal information. This service is completely free.