USS Charles P. Cecil (DD-835)

Charles P. Cecil (DD-835) was a Gearing-class destroyer, launched 22 April 1945 from the shipyard of Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. She was commissioned on 29 June 1945 with Commander W. Outerson serving as the vessel's commander.

Charles P. Cecil reported to her new home port of San Diego on 20 November 1945. She was deployed to the Far East right away, supporting the occupation of Japan and participating in atomic bomb tests at Bikini the following summer. She returned to San Diego on 9 August 1946, taking part in exercises off the west coast for a year. On 26 August 1947, she departed for her second deployment to the Far East, visiting several Pacific islands as well as ports in China, Japan and Okinawa before returning to San Diego on 5 May 1948.

Cold War Operations

Reclassified DDR-835 on 18 March 1949, the USS Charles P. Cecil was reassigned to the Atlantic Fleet, initially working from Newport, Rhode Island, then shifting to Norfolk, Virginia in December 1950. Charles P. Cecil remained with the Atlantic Fleet through 1960, taking part in midshipman training cruises along with periodic deployments to the Mediterranean. During this time, she participated in several NATO operations in waters ranging from the Arctic Circle to the Mediterranean Sea.

In 1959, Cecil was fitted with state-of-the-art electronic computational and tracking equipment. She spent the majority of 1959 performing air defense experiments and advanced training in anti-submarine warfare and amphibious operations. She was one of the first ships on the Cuban Quarantine Line in the fall of 1962, operating as the principal unit that forced a Soviet submarine to the surface.

During her time with the U.S. Navy, Charles P. Cecil participated in 13 Mediterranean deployments, two voyages to the Middle East, and two tours of duty in Vietnam.

In July 1973, Charles P. Cecil was assigned to the naval reserve squadron based out of New London, Connecticut.

The vessel was struck from the Navy list on 1 October 1979 and sold to Greece. The former USS Charles P. Cecil was renamed HNS Apostolis (D-218)on 8 August 1980 and served with the Greek Navy until she was decommissioned in 1993. She was scrapped 10 years later.

Asbestos Risks

Whether serving during peace or war, soldiers and sailors have long understood that working in the military brings with it expected dangers. What many did not know until the end of the 20th century, however, was that a danger unrelated to enemy actions, the danger of asbestos exposure, was a very real hazard aboard many ships and vessels.

Vessels utilized by the United States Navy throughout World War I and World War II were commonly constructed using the mineral asbestos in insulation and in fireproofing capacities. The engines and mechanical sections of a ship like the USS Charles P. Cecil generally were the areas where a crewman or dockworker was most at risk of asbestos exposure on a daily basis. However, nearly all areas of the destroyers such as the USS Charles P. Cecil presented at least some risk of asbestos exposure. An increased risk of exposure occurred when a ship was damaged during battle or daily operations. This may cause asbestos fibers to break off and become airborne where they could be inhaled or ingested by anyone aboard.

Exposure to asbestos may cause the development of a serious illness such as mesothelioma (a rare and aggressive cancer, lung cancer and asbestosis. Naval veterans who served aboard the USS Charles P. Cecil or other ships and vessels may have been exposed to asbestos regularly. Veterans may wish to notify their doctor of their potential exposure so routine check-ups and proper examinations may be conducted. Alerting your doctor of past exposure may aid in early detection of an asbestos-related disease which can lead to more treatment options.

If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or served aboard the USS Charles P. Cecil and wish to learn more about symptoms, treatment and legal options available to Navy veterans, please click here and Asbestos.com will send you a complimentary comprehensive packet in the mail.

Sources

Destroyers Index