Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS BEALE DD 471 DESTROYER

The second ship to bear the name for Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale activated in the United States Navy as a Fletcher-class destroyer type. The ship was laid down on 19th December 1941 and launched on 24th August 1942. Being sponsored by Miss Nancy Beale the destroyer was commissioned on 23rd December the same year and the first in command was Commander Joe B. Cochran. During the Second World War the ship took part in many battles and wars. She was decommissioned at Norfolk, Virginia on 30th September 1968, and her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 1st October 1968. The former warship performed her last service to the Navy on 24th June 1969 when she was sunk as a target in a Navy torpedoes experiment, about 250 miles east of the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. She was a moderately decorated ship, earning six battle stars for World War II service and one battle star during the Vietnam conflict. The main characteristics of the warship as built were:

  • Fletcher – class destroyer
  • 2,050 tons
  • 376 feet and 6 inches in length
  • A maximum speed of 35 knots
  • 329 officers and enlisted served on board of Beale

Asbestos on the USS Beale Caused Diseases

The ships built in the period that USS Beale was built in all contained large amounts of asbestos under the form of insulating and fireproofing materials. This created a very dangerous environment for the crew members on board, especially because of the fact that asbestos was not known to be dangerous at the time. Asbestos materials were damaged and asbestos fibers were released into the air. Inhaling or swallowing these tiny fibers is the cause of many diseases today, and so was the case back then. You should take a full exam if you served on board these types of destroyers.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on the USS Beale? 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 Beale, 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 current treatment available.

Do not hesitate to let our asbestos expert know that you nee help. We will help you with information and advice absolutely free.