Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS BANCROFT DD 598 DESTROYER

USS Bancroft (DD-598) was the third ship named for George Bancroft and it was a Benson-class destroyer of the United States Navy. The destroyer was launched on 31st December 1941 by Bethlehem Steel Company, Quincy, Massachusetts and sponsored by Mrs. Hester Bancroft Berry, great-granddaughter of George Bancroft. It was commissioned on 30th April 1942, with Lieutenant Commander J. L. Melgaard in command, and reported to the Pacific Fleet. Bancroft arrived at Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in September 1942 and remained in the Aleutian Islands until late August 1943, supporting the occupation of Amchitka, Attu and Kiska Islands. The destroyer aided with fire support, screening, and escort duties in the Wake Island raid, between September 1943 and July 1945. Bancroft also took part in the followin operations, in 1945: Palau and Woleai raid (29 March-2 April); Hollandia operation (21-24 April); Truk-Satawan-Ponape raid (28-30 April), Wotje Atoll, Marshall Islands, Mid (23 May); Saipan occupation (25 June-22 July); Maloelap Atoll, Marshall Islands, raid (8 August); Philippine Islands operations (8 3 March April 1945); and the Borneo operations (1 May-5 July).The destroyer arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, in December 1945, and was decommissioned on 1st February 1946, placed in reserve at Charleston, South Carolina. Bancroft received eight battle stars for her World War II service. The warship’s main characteristics are:

  • Displacement 1620 tons
  • Length 347 feet and 10 inches
  • Speed 35 knots
  • Complement of 276 men

Asbestos on the USS Bancroft Caused Diseases

Asbestos is a serious issue on board destroyers and it is important that you know that any member could have been exposed to it, due to the fact that there were asbestos materials on board. Particles of asbestos could travel to the air and be inhaled by anyone. The smallest asbestos fibers can conduct to health issues and if the exposure to asbestos takes place for a long period of time it could cause cancer.

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

If you served on board of the USS Bancroft destroyer or someone you know can be entitle to some form of compensation. You can find that out by contacting a specialized asbestos attorney. The lawyer will evaluate your case and conciliate you on how to act, so that you can obtain the maximum from the situation. You can contact more than one attorney, so that you can form a professional relationship with the one best suitable for you.

Please feel free to contact an asbestos expert at any point and receive valuable information regarding legal aspects. This service is completely free.