USS Fletcher (DD-992)

The USS Fletcher (DD-992) was the last of the Spruance-class destroyers, all of which were designed and built by Ingalls Shipyards of Pascagoula, Mississippi.

The Spruance-Class

Although classified as a "destroyer," in terms of size and firepower the Spruance-class was comparable to a cruiser of 40 years earlier. However, because of technological advances, it could be crewed by 24 officers and 296 seamen -- similar to that of an early Fletcher-or Sumner-class vessel of World War II.

The Spruance-class was of the first of the fifth-generation of destroyers, designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and surface-to-air combat. These vessels were the first U.S. naval ships to be powered by gas-turbine engines, which were marine versions of the engine that powers the DC-10 airliner. These destroyers also had amenities not found in previous warships, such as a full library, gym facilities and more comfortable and spacious berthing facilities.

Service History

Commissioned in July 1980, Fletcher was immediately deployed to the Pacific with the 7th Fleet. From 1982 onward, Fletcher was regularly deployed to Asia as well as the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf. These deployments were typical of her career. In 1983, the Fletcher along with seven other vessels in the Carrier Ranger Battle Group left San Diego for the western Pacific but were diverted and ordered to the coast of Central America to conduct training and flight operations as part of major military exercises planned for that summer.

During the early 1990s, Fletcher visited several Pacific Northwest ports, including Vancouver, British Columbia.

Fate

The USS Fletcher was decommissioned on 1 October 2004. On 16 July 2008, she was scuttled as part of a new torpedo test exercise.

Asbestos Risks

Through the ages, solders and sailors in armies and navies have understood that their lives will contain serious perils. What many were not aware of during most of the 20th century, however, was a risk that had nothing to do with explosions or enemy actions: the possibility of diseases brought on by asbestos exposure.

To safeguard those aboard a ship, along with the vessel itself, from flames and excessive heat, materials with excellent insulating properties are necessary when constructing a ship. As a result, it was normal and sometimes legally mandated for fire blockers such as the mineral asbestos to be included during the period when destroyers like USS Fletcher were constructed. The problem with this is, as well as having fireproofing properties, asbestos has also been associated with serious illnesses as lung cancer and mesothelioma. It is now common knowledge that damage to human health occurs in situations where asbestos is broken up into tiny fibers that are inhaled or ingested.

During the heat of battle or while working to survive a typhoon, the possibility of one day being diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma was no doubt the furthest thing from most sailors' minds. But exposure to asbestos was a serious additional hazard of combat, as widespread damage to a vessel often also damaged asbestos-containing parts so that particles could be inhaled by those nearby. And even outside of battle conditions, sailors who toiled on navy ships like USS Fletcher still faced at least a certain level of exposure since virtually all areas of the vessel contained asbestos. Since asbestos was prevalent around ship's conduits and boiler rooms, sailors with duties in such areas were particularly at risk. Those who maintained Fletcher or other destroyers like her whenever she was in dry dock being serviced were faced with the possibility of inhaling asbestos as well.

Since asbestos-related illnesses such as pericardial mesothelioma often do not appear until decades after a person came in contact with asbestos, they are very hard to diagnose. However, being aware of a patient's history of asbestos contact can assist a physician in being able to make an accurate diagnosis. If you lived or worked aboard USS Fletcher for any period of time, you should educate yourself about the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases and discuss your asbestos exposure history with your health care provider. To learn more about the diagnostic process, available treatment options and financial assistance to help pay for medical costs, please fill out this form to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

Sources

Destroyers Index