USS Thorn DD-647

USS Thorn (DD-647) was a Gleaves-class destroyer laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co in Kearny, New Jersey, on 15 November 1942 and launched on 28 February 1943. She was commissioned just two months later on 1 April with Lt. Cmdr. Edward Brumby taking the lead.

World War II

Thorn completed shakedown in Casco Bay, Maine, and then completed several convoy escort missions from New York to Norfolk to Casablanca and then back. Her final mission during the period between May and January 1944 was to Ponta Delgada to escort two oilers that which were the first two ships to go to this port since a new agreement had been drawn up between Portugal and the Allies. Three days into the new year, Turner blew up just 5,000 yards away from Thorn while in New York harbor. Thorn crew rescued three of the men aboard.

Following this incident, she was dispatched to the Pacific. Her first assignment was to escort an oiler group to Guadalcanal; she then went to New Guinea, arriving on 29 February. By March she was delivering supplies and troops to Cape Sudest before moving to Los Negros Island to take part in the invasion of the Admiralties. Shore bombardments followed on Pityilu Island as did additional escort and antisubmarine patrol missions.

On 10 April, the Thorn hit an uncharted reef while making a practice torpedo run. She made her way to the United States, escorting one ship from to Bremerton, Washington, and then another from the Puget Sound Navy Yard to San Francisco. Finally, on 22 May, it was time for her to undergo an overhaul at the Hunter's Point Navy Yard. After refresher training she went to Palaus to screen and plane guard. She rescued three crews from Grumman TBM Avenger planes during her missions.

By 18 October, Thorn was in the Leyte Gulf, screening battleships during bombardments. She then provided gunfire support and performed patrol duty in the gulf. Though she was ordered to attack a Japanese battle line at Surigao Strait, her mission changed and she later took out crippled ships in the south. By the 25th, she was near Homohon Island to strike with a torpedo, but had to be called back because the enemy was no longer there. Thorn struck against Japanese targets on 24 November, then completed plane guard duty. At the end of the year, she helped to search for survivors from Typhoon Cobra.

In January 1945, Thorn rescued the crew of a TBM and a downed fighter pilot. She screened oilers next to Iwo Jima and in March performed depth charge attacks on a sonar contact. More escorting followed, and she escaped kamikaze attacks that hit nearby ships. Another typhoon struck on 5 June, but once again the Thorn managed to avoid serious damage. She screened carriers during the surrender of Japan. Thorn went to Tokyo Bay in September after that and established herself at Yokosuka Naval Base.

End of Service

Thorn made it to New York on 7 December 1945 and received an overhaul. She then went to Charleston to be decommissioned and was placed in reserve on 6 May 1946. She was made a practice target on 22 August 1974 and was sunk.

Asbestos Risks

Through two world wars, each American navy destroyer commonly installed the mineral asbestos for pipe insulation and for fireproofing. Although essentially all sections of a ship such as the Thorn posed a measurable level of asbestos risk, a ship's boilers and engineering spaces were generally the sections where sailors or shipyard workers were apt to be endangered by strands of asbestos. Whenever a warship took damage, whether in battle, by catastrophic storms, or accidentally, it often uncovered asbestos-laden materials to the open air or subjected them to fire or water; this brought about further risk of having extensive asbestos exposure.

The greatest risk of exposure relating to asbestos is experienced where items containing the mineral are breakable, because if minute asbestos filaments are released into the surrounding air, the particles can then be inhaled by workers in the area. Historically, asbestos intake is known to be thoroughly associated with peritoneal mesothelioma, asbestosis, cancer of the lungs, and other dangerous health problems.

Because most asbestos-caused problems can be tricky to diagnose, those exposed to asbestos fibers should promptly tell their primary physicians of the details about this history. To learn more about the diagnostic process, available treatment options and financial assistance to help pay for medical costs, please fill in the form on this page to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

In addition to the expected hazards of war, crewmen who lived and worked on board the Thorn were, as with people on other craft of this class, frequently imperiled by asbestos inhalation. This was true in spite of the fact the ship took remarkably little combat damage and underwent generally routine reworkings and repair jobs. Regardless of the lack of serious damage and refit work, those who lived and worked on board the Thorn were still in contact with asbestos fibers in the normal course of their service.

In addition, asbestos exposure was commonplace for port-based workers such as pipefitters and mechanics who serviced the Thorn whenever she was in a shipyard. For the troops who lived and labored aboard this ship at any time in their career, and those assigned to other naval vessels, it is vital to be thoroughly informed about the hazards raised by former exposure to asbestos fibers, especially based on our increased understanding of the outcome of prolonged contact with asbestos.

Sources:

Destroyers Index