The USS Peconic (AOG-68) was a Klickitat-class gasoline tanker laid down on January 31, 1945, and launched on May 14, the same year. It was commissioned on September 29, 1945, with the hull number AOG-68 and it served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years until it was decommissioned for the last time on November 12, 1957. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 80 people on board. After the first decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on January 21, 1947, and transferred to Maritime Commission where it was renamed Voshell. Eventually, it was sold for scrapping to Andy Exports Incorporated in 1982. Because of its flame-retardant properties, asbestos was commonly used in Navy ships until the late 1970s. But the material contains microscopic dust particles and fibers that are released into the air when asbestos is disturbed. Once the asbestos is disturbed, most commonly during maintenance or repair work, it becomes airborne and those in close proximity end up inhaling the asbestos fibers. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos during their time in the military may be at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural diseases, or other serious diseases.
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