The USS Westmoreland (APA-104) was a Bayfield-class attack transport laid down on December 8, 1943, and launched on April 28, the following year. It was commissioned on January 18, 1945, under Capt. James M. Hicks’ command with the hull number APA-104 and it served in the U.S. Navy for one year until it was decommissioned on June 5, 1946. During its activities, the ship carried a complement of 575 people on board and had its main missions in San Pedro, Panama Canal, Pearl Harbor, California, Manila, Portland, Sasebo, and Samar. During World War II, asbestos was a significant resource that has traditionally been used in a wide range of applications. On Navy ships, asbestos could be found in concrete and tile flooring, ceiling panels, and fire insulation materials, and even ship doors contain asbestos; other sources include electrical cables, gaskets, brake linings, boiler cladding, and mooring ropes. Anyone who served onboard Navy vessels should monitor their health carefully, and consult a doctor if they experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, dry cough, wheezing, and chest pain.
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