Asbestos Exposure on Ships:

USS BEARSS DD 654 DESTROYER

The Fletcher-class destroyer bearing the name for Brigadier General Hiram I. Bearss (1875-1938), USMC belonged to the United States Navy. She was launched on 25th July 1943 and sponsored by Mrs. Louise Bearss. Being commissioned on 12th April 1944 the first in command was Commander J. A. Webster. During the Second World War the ship operated in the Hawaiian waters but went into commission in reserve on 12th July 1946 and out of commission in reserve on 31st January 1947. After the war the warship was re-commissioned on 7th September 1951 joining the Destroyer Division 322. She also served along the Atlantic coast, in the Caribbean, in Mediterranean and one Far East cruise. In August and September 1958, Bearss was part of Navy Task Force 88 during Operation Argus, which was involved in conducting nuclear tests in the very high atmosphere. USS Bearss was decommissioned 1963. She was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register 1st December 1974. The ship was sold 14th April 1976 and broken up for scrap. The warship received one battle star for her World War II service and also was awarded the Medal of Honor during the Philippine-American War. The main characteristics of the ship as built are:

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

Asbestos on the USS Bearss Caused Diseases

The ships built in the period that USS Bearss 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 health problems.

Have you been exposed to asbestos on the USS Bearss? 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 destroyer, contact a specialized asbestos attorney and let him know that you need legal advice. The lawyer 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 let our asbestos expert know that you nee help. We will help you with information and advice absolutely free.