USS Bristol (DD-857)

The USS Bristol (DD-857) was the last of the Allen M. Sumner-class destroyers to be built. The second ship of the U.S. Navy to be named for Rear Admiral Mark Lambert Bristol, the USS Bristol (DD-857) launched on 29 October 1944 by the Bethlehem Steel Company of San Pedro, California. She was commissioned 17 March 1945 with Commander K. P. Letts serving as the vessel's first commander.

World War II

Bristol sailed from San Diego on 13 June 1945, reporting to Pearl Harbor on 19 June. Arriving at Guam on 29 July, she joined Task Group 30.8, a logistic support group supplying TF 38.

On 5 August 1945, the USS Bristol collided with another vessel, damaging her bow and forcing her return to Guam for repairs. Repairs were completed by 1 September and she then proceeded to Japan for occupation duty. Her first deployment ended on 21 February 1946, and she returned to San Pedro on 15 March.

Post-war Years

In April 1946, Bristol reported for duty with the Atlantic Fleet. She operated along the east coast until February 1947, when she sailed for a six-month cruise in European waters. Between August 1947 and September 1948, she conducted local operations along the Atlantic seaboard, followed by a second European deployment that lasted until January 1949.

Upon her return, Bristol was designated as a naval reserve training ship. Assigned to New Orleans, she operated from this home port for the next 18 months, visiting several Caribbean ports with interim periods of training at Guantanamo Bay.

Bristol's home port was changed to Newport, Rhode Island, on 21 October 1950. After her crew underwent refresher training out of Guantanamo Bay, she reported to Newport for general duty.

On 5 March 1951, Bristol was deployed to the Mediterranean for a tour of duty with the 6th Fleet. Upon her return to Newport, she spent the summer close to home before departing for a circumnavigation of the globe beginning 2 October via the Panama Canal. This included a tour of duty in Korea between 31 October and 27 February 1952.

Bristol returned to Newport via the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean, arriving home on 21 April 1952.

Over the next several years, Bristol remained close to home, operating primarily off the east coast. She underwent extensive repairs at the Boston Naval Shipyard in 1961 and 1965 was spent operating off the Virginia Capes. Bristol also visited Montreal during this time.

The USS Bristol was sold to Taiwan in December 1969 and renamed the Hua Yang. She was ultimately scrapped in 1993.

Asbestos Risks

Whether serving during peace or battle, troops have always known that service in the armed forces comes along with inherent risks. However, what most U.S. military personnel in the 1900s, especially sailors aboard Navy ships, didn't realize was that asbestos inhalation aboard a vessel can cause the development of serious illnesses.

The fibrous mineral asbestos was commonly used for insulating pipes and as fire control on every Navy ship of the World War II era, and a ship's boilers and engineering spaces were usually the areas where seamen or a technician was likely to inhale asbestos in the air. However, essentially every section of a ship such as the USS Bristol presented some risk of asbestos exposure. An increased risk of asbestos exposure occurred if a ship was damaged during battle or daily operations, causing asbestos fibers to break off into the air where they could be inhaled or ingested by anyone nearby.

Exposure to asbestos can cause the development of mesothelioma, asbestosis, tumors and other dangerous health conditions. Since most asbestos-related diseases can be difficult to diagnose since the symptoms can be mistaken for symptoms of less-serious illnesses, those who worked around this mineral may wish to alert their doctor of their past history of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos exposure can cause the development of mesothelioma, a rare cancer, when fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body where they can become lodged in organs and cavities. This can lead to inflammation and infection and the development of the cancer. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or served aboard the USS Bristol and wish to learn more about symptoms, the diagnostic process, treatment and legal options, please click here and Asbestos.com will send you a complimentary comprehensive packet.

Sources

Destroyers Index