Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS ST. LOUIS CL 49 CRUISER

St. Louis was the fifth ship of the U.S. Navy that was named after the city of St. Louis, Missouri, and she was the lead ship in her class of light cruisers. The cruiser was launched on 15th April 1938, sponsored by Miss Nancy Lee Morrill and commissioned on 19th May 1939 with Captain Charles H. Morrison in command. The cruiser tool part in some missions in World War II, but at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor she was moored to the pier in Southeast Lock, and escaped the attacks. Japanese planes were sighted from on board St. Louis and within minutes the operable antiaircraft guns were ready to fire on the attackers. The carrier was a part on Task Force 17, centered around Yorktown, and escorted ships transporting Marine Expeditionary Force to Samoa to reinforce defenses there. In the spring of 1942 she escorted SS President Coolidge, which was carrying President Quezon of the Philippines to the west coast, to San Francisco. She suffered torpedo damage to the bows, in the Battle of Kolombangara. St. Louis joined the “Magic Carpet” fleet to carry World War II veterans back to the United States. She was struck from the Navy List on 22nd January 1951, and on the 29th was commissioned in the Brazilian Navy. Her general characteristics were:

  • St. Louis class light cruiser
  • Displacement 10 000 tons
  • Length 608 feet
  • Speed 33 knots
  • 888 officers and enlisted men served on board
  • Earned 11 battle stars during World War II

Asbestos on the USS St. Louis 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 USS St. Louis? 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.