USS McKean DD-90

The USS McKean (DD-90) was a destroyer built immediately following World War I by the Union Iron Works of San Francisco, California. She was laid down 12 February 1918 and launched on 4 July of the same year. The McKean was a ship of the Wickes class.

After being commissioned on 25 February 1919, the McKean began her service, which would last from 1919 to 1922, in the Atlantic. She cruised European waters between May and July of 1919 and operated out of New York and Charleston before her decommissioning at Philadelphia on 19 June 1922.

World War II and Recommissioning

The McKean was recommissioned in the year prior to the start of the Second World War. She was reclassified as APD-5 on 2 August 1940 and was recommissioned at Norfolk on 11 December. She spent the year that followed in maneuvers with the Fleet. After the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the McKean left the U.S. for the South Pacific and reached her destination on 20 July 1942. She began preparations for the invasion of the Solomons and on 7 August began landing troops on Tulagi.

In the months that followed, the McKean made escort and supply runs throughout the region, including trips to New Caledonia, the New Hebrides and the southern Solomons - all in support of the military push at Guadalcanal. The destroyer left the South Pacific on 31 January 1943 for the U.S. west coast. During this period, the McKean was overhauled. She left port and returned to the Pacific Theater five months later. Between June and November 1943, the McKean took part in operations in the Solomons and patrolled the waters off Guadalcanal.

In October of 1943, the McKean completed preparations for operations in the Treasury Islands and landed Marines on Mono Island on 27 October. She began running troops and reinforcements between Bougainville and Empress Augusta Bay and on 11 November returned to Guadalcanal from Bougainville for another troop run. It was during this final troop run that the McKean would meet her fate.

The Loss of the McKean

Early in the day on 17 November, the McKean approached Empress Augusta Bay and was attacked by a Japanese torpedo plane. The McKean attempted to evade the incoming torpedo, but it struck the starboard side of the vessel, destroying the aft magazine and depth charges stored there. The resulting explosion ruptured fuel tanks and caused a rain of burning oil. Sailors who attempted to escape by jumping into the water were killed by the burning oil slick.

The commander of the vessel gave the order to abandon ship, and 10 minutes after the initial explosion, the McKean began to sink. At 4:18 a.m. the last of the ship slipped under the water. Of the 185 Marines being transported by the McKean, 52 died. Sixty-four of the ship's complement were also killed in the explosion or by the ensuing flames. Survivors were picked up by other destroyers in the area.

Asbestos Risks

Practically all compartments of a ship such as the USS McKean posed a significant level of asbestos exposure, but a vessel's engine room and engineering compartments were usually the sections where a crewman or maintenance worker was likely to be in danger of inhaling airborne asbestos. Increased risk of undergoing harmful levels of asbestos exposure occurred whenever a craft was in conflict.

Inhaling airborne asbestos fibers has been known to cause the development of several asbestos-related diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. Those who have been diagnosed with one of these conditions may have options for compensation as many have received financial assistance to help pay for medical expenses. For more information about compensation, asbestos exposure and treatment options, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a complimentary packet.

Sources:

Destroyers Index