USS Stump (DD-978)

The USS Stump (DD-978) was a Spruance-class destroyer built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries at Pascagoula, Mississippi. She was laid down on 25 August 1975, launched on 29 January 1977 and commissioned on 19 August 1978.

1980s

Stump's 1980 maiden deployment was to the Mediterranean. During this time, she conducted Black Sea operations, port visits and extensive under sea warfare (USW) operations.

A year later Stump deployed as U.S. Commander South Atlantic Flagship for UNITAS XXII, an annual joint operation with South American naval units. She would participate in the UNITAS operation for 1985 as well.

In October 1982, Stump was deployed to the Persian Gulf in order to conduct radar picket operations. Returning home in March 1983, Stump participated in Solid Shield '83, a complex exercise involving NATO ships and the U.S. Air Force.

In 1988, Stump was deployed to the Mediterranean as part of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier group. During this deployment, Stump was ordered to the Persian Gulf on 48 hours' notice to replace the USS Samuel B. Roberts, which had suffered extensive damage from a naval mine explosion. Stump returned to Norfolk, Virginia, in August and was then underway again in October for six weeks of drug smuggling interdiction in the Caribbean.

In October 1989, Stump was again deployed to the Mediterranean, this time as part of the USS Forrestal carrier group. Upon her return in August 1990, Stump was sent to the Avondale Shipyards in New Orleans for overhaul and weapon systems upgrades.

1990s

In November 1992, Stump returned to the Persian Gulf and North Red Sea to serve as a ready strike platform. This deployment was highlighted by the missile strike launched against Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch on 17 January 1993.

In July 1994, Stump took part in UNITAS XXXV, serving as the flagship for Commander of the South Atlantic Force. Stump re-visited eight South American nations, as well as completing her second transit of the Chilean Inland Waterway.

In February 1995, Stump was deployed to the Caribbean in support of drug smuggling interdiction operations. She returned to the Persian Gulf in August 1996 for maritime interception operations and to act as ready strike destroyer. During this tour of duty, Stump completed over 40 boardings in support of maritime interdiction operations and participated in 11 Tomahawk exercises. She was at sea eight days out of 10.

Following the return from this deployment in February 1997, Stump conducted an extensive Dry-Docking Selected Restricted Availability.

Stump returned to the Mediterranean in June 1998 as part of the 6th Fleet for the testing and evaluation of USW tactics, weapons, sensors and procedures.

The 21st Century

Stump participated in a number of battle readiness exercises closer to home in 2000. In late November of that year, she joined the USS Harry S. Truman carrier battle group for another tour of duty in the Persian Gulf. During this period, she diverted 22 vessels suspected of carrying more than $5 million of suspected contraband cargo. Throughout this deployment, the Truman carrier group also participated in numerous international exercises, including Arabian Gauntlet, an 11-nation exercise that involved more than 20 ships. Stump and the Truman carrier group returned to port on 24 May 2001.

Fate

In mid-October 2003 Stump operated off the coast of Argentina with the frigate USS Robert G. Bradley as part of that year's UNITAS exercise.

The USS Stump was decommissioned 22 October 2004 and sunk as a target along with her sister ship Comte de Grasse off the coast of North Carolina on 7 June 2006.

Asbestos Risks

Regardless of whether they were acting during peace or war, soldiers and sailors have long known that signing up to be in the military brings with it expected dangers. But as well as the apparent hazards that accompany military service, a hidden one endangered soldiers and sailors in the 1900s: asbestos exposure.

Because fire on a navy ship can be extraordinarily deadly, fireproofing is a vital consideration in the design and construction of ships. As a result, it was not unusual and sometimes legally mandated for fireproofing materials like the mineral asbestos to be included during the period when destroyers like USS Stump were built. The problem with is that along with its fire-blocking properties, asbestos has also been associated with debilitating diseases as lung cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma. The harm done by asbestos happens when very small fibers are breathed in or swallowed; they invade the respiratory system and occasionally other organs, leading to scar tissue in the case of pleural plaques and damage at the DNA level in the case of mesothelioma.

The consequences of contact with asbestos were unlikely to be a high priority to most people when they were focused on engaging in battle or dealing with storms. But exposure to asbestos was a serious secondary hazard of such circumstance, since large-scale damage to a vessel often also damaged asbestos so that the fibers could be inhaled by people in close proximity. And even outside of battle conditions, those who served on naval vessels like USS Stump still faced some level of exposure since practically every compartment of the vessel contained asbestos. In addition, anyone who spent time in enclosed spaces where asbestos was present, such as a ship's boilers or engine room, was particularly in danger. People who repaired Stump or other destroyers like her whenever she was in dry dock for upgrades faced the chance of asbestos ingestion as well.

Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are complicated to distinguish from other disorders, since they can have similar symptoms to those conditions. However, understanding a patient's job-related asbestos exposure can aid a doctor in being able to make an accurate diagnosis. If you lived or worked on USS Stump during your career, you should educate yourself about the symptoms of diseases associated with asbestos and discuss any concerns you have 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