Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS BALDWIN DD 624 DESTROYER

USS Baldwin (DD-624) was a United States Navy Gleaves-class destroyer, in service for a brief period of time, from 1943 to 1946. This destroyer was the only ship of the U.S. Navy to be named for Charles H. Baldwin, an 1864 Medal of Honor recipient. It was launched on 14th June 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Ida E. Crawford, daughter of Acting Master's Mate Baldwin. Commissioned on 30th April 1943, with Lieutenant Commander George Knuepfer in command, and she was assigned to the United States Atlantic Fleet. In 1943, Baldwin was the flagship of Destroyer Division 36 and led her division into Norfolk, Virginia. There, the ship operated along the east coast until getting underway from New York on 13th August in the screen of a convoy bound for Casablanca, Morocco. Baldwin served as an element of the Antisubmarine and Convoy Control Group, with Task Group 80.6, which screened follow up convoys between Oran and southern France, in 1944. The warship joined Task Force 55 at Okinawa, in 1945, to prepare for the occupation of Sasebo, Japan, an operation that took place between 20th September and 2nd October. The destroyer was placed out of commission on 20th June 1946 and earned three battle stars for service in the Second World War. Some of the destroyer’s technical details are:

  • Weight 1630 tons
  • Length 348 feet 4 inches
  • Propulsion – 50 000 horse power
  • Speed 35 knots

Asbestos on the USS Baldwin Caused Diseases

Crew members and officers that served on board the USS Baldwin could have been infected with asbestos, which is a highly toxic material when not used properly and there are large amounts of asbestos materials on board destroyers. These materials can be damaged easily and could have been inhaled by anyone. Even the smallest asbestos fibers can cause health problems. If exposed for long periods of time to asbestos, the damage can be more severe, leading to mesothelioma cancer.

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

If someone you know, a loved one or even you have been exposed to asbestos on board the USS Baldwin, you may be entitled to a form of compensation. Yon can find this out if you contact an attorney that is specialized in asbestos. He will determine how you should act further to obtain the maximum benefits from the situation. Contact different attorneys and chose the one with which you will form a professional relationship.

You can contact an asbestos expert at any point, if you please, and receive valuable information in the legal department, which is completely free.