USS Kennison DD-138

The USS Kennison (DD-138) was a destroyer in the Wickes class that was built at the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California and launched on 8 June 1918. The ship's displacement was 1,154 tons and she had a speed of 35 knots, which was a requirement of the Wickes-class of destroyers mandated by Congress. They authorized funding for the class in 1916.

Early Service

The Kennison undertook its shakedown cruise and then sailed for her home port of San Diego on 25 March 1920. During that summer, she participated in anti-aircraft and torpedo exercises that were, at that time, considered to be experimental. After this, she continued operations along the coast and other tactical exercises until August 1921, when she docked in San Diego with half of her potential crew. She was decommissioned in San Diego on 22 June 1922.

Recommissioning and the War

The Kennison was recommissioned on 18 December 1939 and joined the newly formed Neutrality Patrol from San Diego on 6 May 1940. From June to December of that year she undertook training cruises for reservists and then rejoined the Neutrality Patrol on 14 October. When the United States joined the war in 1941, the Kennison was operating patrols. In early 1942, as the war effort increased, the Kennison began escorting convoys and submarines to a variety of west coast ports.

On 22 September 1944, she sailed to Bremerton, Washington to undergo conversion and redesignation. Newly identified as AG-83, the Kennison returned to San Diego on 9 November 1944 and resumed service. For the remainder of the war, the ship operated out of the port at San Diego as a target ship for aerial exercises involving air-dropped torpedoes.

After the War

After the end of hostilities, the Kennison sailed for Norfolk and arrived in late October. She was decommissioned on 21 November 1945 and was eventually sold to Luria Brothers and Company of Philadelphia for scrap.

Asbestos Risks

The mineral asbestos was widely installed for insulation and as fire control in each U.S. Navy destroyer through both world wars. While nearly every part of a ship like the USS Kennison offered at least some asbestos exposure, the vessel's boilers and engineering compartments were the workspaces where sailors and shipyard workers were apt to be in danger of inhaling asbestos fibers.

When dealing with asbestos, the highest level of danger to human health happens in situations where items containing the mineral become damaged and breakable, because if the asbestos filaments escape into the air, the particles can be inhaled by those near the hazard. Numerous studies have shown that dangerous medical conditions such as mesothelioma are caused by even modest levels of asbestos exposure. Naval veterans with a history of exposure to this mineral should immediately tell their primary physician as related conditions can often be misdiagnosed.

If you have already been diagnosed with an illness related to asbestos exposure, you may have legal options for compensation. Many have received financial assistance to help pay for medical expenses and lost income. If you would like to learn more about this and treatment options, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a complimentary packet.

Sources:

Destroyers Index