The USS Eldridge (DE-173) was a Cannon-class destroyer escort laid down on February 22, 1943, and launched on July 25, the same year. It was commissioned on August 27, 1943, under Lt. C. R. Hamilton’s command with the hull number DE-173 and served in the US Navy for 3 years until it was decommissioned on June 17, 1946. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 216 men on board and had its main missions in North Africa, Casablanca, Saipan, Algeria, Maine, Okinawa, and New York. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy List on March 26, 1951, and sold to Greece the same year where it was renamed Leon. In the U.S., asbestos was used extensively in the construction of ships of all kinds between 1930 and 1970. The fibers of each asbestos type are composed of microscopic fibrils, which are released into the air whenever asbestos-containing products have to be installed, repaired, removed, or worn down naturally, placing all those nearby in danger. Asbestos fibers can lie dormant in the lungs for 10 to 40 years following initial exposure, explaining why asbestos-related health issues are on the rise.
760-621-6147
