Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS PHILADELPHIA CL 41 CRUISER

USS Philadelphia was the fifth ship of the U.S. Navy named for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This Brooklyn-class light cruiser was launched on 17th November 1936, sponsored by Mrs. George H. Earle, first lady of Pennsylvania, and it was commissioned on 23rd September 1937. The cruiser joined Task Force 85 for training in Chesapeake Bay preparatory to the invasion of Sicily. A convoy escorted by Philadelphia and nine destroyers sailed from Norfolk on 8th June and arrived at Oran, Algeria on 22nd June, where final invasion staging operations took place. The convoy stood out from Oran on 5th July, and arrived off the beaches of Scoglitti, Sicily shortly before midnight of 9th July. Philadelphia assisted in furnishing covering bombardment as the troops of Major General Troy Middleton’s 45th Infantry Division stormed ashore. After the invasion in Italy, Philadelphia underwent overhaul at New York and then engaged in refresher training in Chesapeake waters until 19th January 1944, when she steamed from Norfolk as an escorting unit for a convoy arriving at Oran, Algeria. The cruiser was decommissioned on 3rd February 1947 and then sold to the government of Brazil under terms of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program. She served in the Brazilian Navy under the name Barrosso (C-11), and was scrapped in 1973.

The cruisers main characteristics are:

  • Weight 9700 tons
  • Length 608 feet
  • Speed 32.5 knots (37.4 mph)
  • 868 officer and crew served on board
  • Received five battle stars for World War II operations

Asbestos on board the USS Philadelphia has serious consequences

USS Philadelphia was build using asbestos material. They have created a dangerous environment in the way that when damaged, these materials released airborne asbestos fibers. The people embarked swallow or inhale the resulting fibers causing, most of the time, serious health problems. It is very important, especially for former crew members of U.S. Navy ships, to have a complete exam. Do not forget to use appropriate prevention measures.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on board the USS Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia, 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.