USS Mulberry (AN-27)

The USS Mulberry (AN-27) was one of the United States Navy’s Aloe-class net laying ships, a vessel type that played an important role in safeguarding Allied harbors during World War II. The USS Mulberry was built in 1940 by the American Shipbuilding Company in Cleveland, Ohio and commissioned on December 19, 1942. The vessel was originally classified as YN-22, a yard net tender, but on January 20, 1944, the U.S. Navy reclassified the Mulberry as a net laying ship.

The USS Mulberry never saw any combat action during World War II as the Navy based her out of Adak, Alaska, spending the entirety of the war operating in Alaskan waters. Because the Mulberry was relatively fresh after the war, the U.S. Navy kept her in active duty, although many of the Mulberry’s sister ships were decommissioned and sent into the Naval Reserve Fleet.

Service After World War II

In early March 1947, the USS Mulberry entered port in San Francisco, California for an extensive overhaul. This overhaul upgraded and repaired most of the Mulberry’s equipment and machinery, but may have exposed shipyard workers to asbestos. In the summer of 1947, with her overhaul completed, the USS Mulberry sailed for Pearl Harbor where she spent the rest of the year safeguarding the harbor. The vessel later returned to the west coast and remained there until the outbreak of the Korean War.

Korean War Service

In June 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea and sparked the Korean War, as well as a massive build-up in the Navy’s sea power. Shortly after the start of the war, the Mulberry was assigned to the Korean theater and she deployed for the western Pacific on July 8, 1950. The ship spent three years sailing in and out of Japanese ports, providing net-laying and other support services. However, in the summer of 1953, the Mulberry was sent directly into the combat zone when she was assigned to operate in a number of Korean ports. For her service during that summer, the USS Mulberry was recognized by the U.S. Navy with a Korean battle star.

Service After the Korean War

Following the cessation of hostilities in Korea, the USS Mulberry returned to the west coast where she was based for the remainder of her career. In the summer of 1956, the vessel received a number of upgrades while at port in Long Beach, including new radar and air compressors to assist with diving operations. Installation was carried out quickly, but the welding and cutting required to fit the new equipment may have caused asbestos fibers to disperse into the air.

The USS Mulberry served with the Navy’s Pacific Fleet for the remainder of the 1950s, but her active-duty career came to an end in 1960. On April 11, 1960, the USS Mulberry was decommissioned and placed into the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

Asbestos Risks

Whether serving in times of peace or conflict, soldiers and sailors have long accepted that being a member of the military carries expected perils. But along with the obvious risks someone associates with time in the military, a lesser-known hazard was faced for those who served during the 20th century - exposure to asbestos.

Being able to control the spread of flames onboard a ship is paramount. During the timeframe that USS Mulberry and other ships like her were constructed, the substance known as asbestos was frequently used because of its ability to insulate against flames. Unfortunately, what may have been unknown or was at times ignored was that inhalation of asbestos can cause serious conditions such as mesothelioma. 

If a ship was damaged by enemy fire, the weather or in a collision with another ship, it frequently exposed asbestos-containing material and permitted it to become airborne. Because nearly every compartment in ships like the USS Mulberry had parts made with asbestos, sailors were generally faced with some level of exposure to asbestos even in their everyday tasks. A sailor working in poorly ventilated areas where asbestos was present, such as near USS Mulberry boilers and engines, was particularly at risk. Even shipyard workers such as pipe-fitters were subject to developing asbestos-related illnesses later in life after working on ships without using safety equipment. 

Because asbestos-related diseases can take as long as 50 years to develop after initial exposure, they are extremely difficult to diagnose. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos, you may have legal options for compensation to help cover medical costs and other expenses. For information about compensation and treatment options, please fill out the request form at the top, right corner of this page to receive a complimentary informational packet.

Sources:

Auxiliary Vessels Index