USS Sidonia (AKA-42) Areas With Asbestos Exposure

The USS Sidonia (AKA-42) was an Artemis-class attack cargo ship laid down on February 1, 1945, and launched on April 7, the same year. It was commissioned on April 30, 1945, under Comdr. E. C. Earl’s command and served in the US Navy for 1 year until it was decommissioned on February 25, 1946. It carried a complement of 303 men on board. During this period, the ship operated in Norfolk, Manila, Hilo, Eniwetok, Hampton Roads, and Marseilles. After decommissioning, the USS Sidonia was struck from the Naval Register on April 17, 1946, and sold to Zidell Explorations Inc. on December 7, 1964. Asbestos is a subtle killer and Navy veterans who have been exposed to it should consult a doctor immediately if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent cough, and tightness in your chest. The symptoms of asbestos poisoning take decades to manifest themselves, and it’s often too late for treatment by the time they arise. The actual contamination occurs when people inhale asbestos fibers, which accumulate with repeated or prolonged exposure, eventually damaging the lungs and leading to chronic—and often fatal—diseases.