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USS Biloxi CL-80

The USS Biloxi is the first navy ship to be named after the city in Mississippi, and was a Cleveland-class light cruiser. She launched on February 23, 1943 and was commissioned on August 31 under the command of Captain Daniel Michael McGurl. After commissioning, she joined Cruiser Division 13 of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

History of the USS Biloxi CL-80

The USS Biloxi operated in the western pacific area from January 1944 until April 1945 completing patrols of the Marianas, raids on Truk, raids on Okinawa, raids on Luzon, raids along the Chinese coast, and the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, among others. Her various duties included screening fast carrier task groups, bombarding shore installations and assisting with amphibious landings.

On March 27, 1945, the USS Biloxi suffered damage from a Japanese kamikaze but was able to continue action. After the attack was over, a Japanese bomb was found aboard the vessel that failed to explode. It was deactivated and placed on display on the quarterdeck.

The USS Biloxi headed to the West Coast for an overhaul on April 27, 1945. The overhaul took until July to complete, and then she headed west again to participate in more attacks. After Japan surrendered, the USS Biloxi helped to transport prisoners of war. She stayed in Japan until November 1945, and then returned to Pearl Harbor and the West Coast.

On January 15, 1946, the USS Biloxi reported to the 19th fleet, and in May was placed in reserve while still in commission. On October 29, 1946, she was decommissioned while in reserve. She was removed from the Naval Vessel Register on September 1, 1961 and sold for scrap the next year. Her superstructure was re-erected in Guice Park and can be seen there today, and her bell is found in the lobby of Biloxi City Hall.

Asbestos Risks

While the USS Biloxi enjoyed a successful career, she did have one major hazard aboard. She was built using asbestos, a toxic mineral, naturally resistant to heat and fire and used extensively for insulation. When asbestos fibers become airborne, the particles can become lodged in the lungs, leading to serious illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Besides the crewman of the USS Biloxi, anyone who worked on the cruiser during her construction at the Newport News Shipyard or during her upkeep and repairs was also at risk for asbestos exposure. The Newport News Shipyard is the largest privately-owned shipyard today. It has been in business since 1886, when it was built to service ships that worked with the C&O railroad in Richmond, Virginia. From there, the shipyard went on to build ships, starting with a tugboat and working its way up to warships, dreadnoughts, battleships, destroyers, aircraft carriers, cruisers, and more.

Like other shipyards of the time, the Newport News Shipyard used asbestos in its construction of ships. However, the employees were often not informed of the risks of this hazardous material, and few if any wore any sort of protective gear while they were working. Asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other serious medical conditions are continuing to surface in shipyard workers and Navy veterans.

There is currently no cure for mesothelioma, and patients diagnosed with the cancer often have a limited life span and few treatment options. Many of these victims have opened legal cases against the companies responsible for their exposure to receive compensation for the medical costs, pain and suffering.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related medical condition and served aboard the USS Biloxi or worked in the Newport News Shipyard you may wish to learn more about asbestos exposure, treatment and legal options. Please fill out the packet request form at the top, right of this page and Asbestos.com will send you a complimentary comprehensive packet.

Cruisers Index

USS Alaska CB 1
USS Albany CA 123
USS Amsterdam CL 101
USS Astoria CL 34
USS Astoria CL 90
USS Atlanta CL 104
USS Atlanta CL 51
USS Augusta CA 31
USS Baltimore CA 68
USS Bainbridge CGN 25
USS Belknap CG 26
USS Biddle CG 34
USS Biloxi CL 80
USS Birmingham CL 62
USS Boise CL 47
USS Boston CA 169
USS Bremerton CA 130
USS Brooklyn CL 40
USS Canberra CA 70
USS Chester CA 27
USS Chicago CA 29
USS Cleveland CL 55
USS Columbia CL 56
USS Columbus CA 74
USS Dale CG 19
USS Dayton CL 105
USS Denver CL 58
USS Des Moines CA 134
USS Duluth CL 87
USS England CG 22
USS Fall River CA 131
USS Fargo CL 106
USS Flint CL 97
USS Fox CG 33
USS Fresno CL 121
USS Galveston CL 93
USS Gridley CG 21
USS Guam CB 2
USS Halsey CG 23
USS Harry E. Yarnell CG 17
USS Helena CL 50
USS Helena CA 75
USS Honolulu CL 48
USS Horne CG 30
USS Houston CA 30
USS Houston CL 81
USS Huntington CL 107
USS Indianapolis CA 35
USS Josephus Daniels CG 27
USS Jouett CG 29
USS Juneau CL 52
USS Juneau CL 119
USS Leahy CG 16
USS Lexington CV 2
USS Little Rock CL 92
USS Los Angeles CA 135
USS Louisville CA 28
USS Macon CA 132
USS Manchester CL 83
USS Marblehead CL 12
USS Memphis CL 13
USS Miami CL 89
USS Milwaukee CL 5
USS Minneapolis CA 36
USS Mobile CL 63
USS Montpelier CL 57
USS Nashville CL 43
USS New Orleans CA 32
USS Newport News CA 148
USS Northampton CA 26
USS Northampton CA 125
USS Oakland CL 95
USS Oklahoma City CL 91
USS Oklahoma City CLG 5
USS Oregon City CA 122
USS Omaha CL 4
USS Pasadena CL 65
USS Pensacola CA 24
USS Philadelphia CL 41
USS Phoenix CL 46
USS Pittsburgh CA 72
USS Portland CA 33
USS Portsmouth CL 102
USS Providence CL 82
USS Quincy CA 39
USS Quincy CA 71
USS Raleigh CL 7
USS Reeves CG 24
USS Reno CL 96
USS Richmond CL 9
USS Richmond K. Turner CG 20
USS Roanoke CL 145
USS Rochester CA 124
USS St Paul CA 73
USS Salem CA 139
USS Salt Lake City CA 25
USS San Diego CL 53
USS San Francisco CA 38
USS San Juan CL 54
USS Santa Fe CL 60
USS Savannah CL 42
USS Spokane CL 120
USS Springfield CL 66
USS St Louis CL 49
USS Sterett CG 31
USS Toledo CA 133
USS Topeka CL 67
USS Trenton CL 11
USS Tucson CL 98
USS Tuscaloosa CA 37
USS Vicksburg CL 86
USS Vincennes CA 44
USS Vincennes CL 64
USS Wichita CA 45
USS Wilkes Barre CL 103
USS William H. Standley CG 32
USS Worcester CL 144
USS Worden CG 18
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