USS Turner DD-648

USS Turner (DD-648), a Gleaves-class destroyer, was built in Kearny, New Jersey, by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. and launched on 28 February 1943. She was commissioned on 15 April 1943 at the New York Navy Yard, Lt. Cmdr. Henry S. Wygant in command.

Early Duty

Turner's first wartime assignment was a convoy run to Casablanca, French Morocco, where they arrived safely on 18 July 1943. These escort duties continued throughout the summer.

In September, Turner conducted antisubmarine warfare (ASW) training at Casco Bay, Maine, before returning to her transatlantic escort duties.

On the night of 23 October, Turner was acting as an advance ASW escort for a convoy when she picked up an unidentified surface contact on her SG radar. What followed was a half-hour battle with a German U-Boat that may have been U-190. Turner's crew may also have been successful in sinking the enemy vessel, but the ship was forced to break off the engagement before this could be confirmed.

Fate

The day after the submarine battle, Turner accompanied the convoy safely into port. She then departed for New York, arriving on 7 November.

Following 10 days in port, Turner conducted further ASW exercises at Casco Bay before returning to Norfolk to join another transatlantic convoy. She departed Norfolk on what was to be her last convoy run on 23 November. Late on the night of 2 January 1944, returning from another successful voyage, Turner anchored in the mouth of Ambrose Channel in Lower New York Bay, near the light station.

Early the following morning, there were a series of shattering internal explosions inside Turner's hull. By 6:50 a.m., she took on a 16-degree starboard list as explosions in the ammunition stowage areas continued. An hour later, one last violent explosion caused her to capsize and sink. She went down in about 40 minutes, taking 138 crewmen with her. Nearby ships picked up her survivors, taking them to the hospital at Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The occasion also marked the first time a helicopter was used in a rescue operation.

It is not known what caused the ordnance to explode, resulting in the destruction of the Turner.

Asbestos Risks

During the first two-thirds of the 20th century, each Navy vessel widely used the substance known as asbestos for insulation and as fireproofing. The vessel's engines and mechanical sections were the workspaces where a Navy file or shipyard workers were apt to be in danger of inhaling air contaminated with asbestos; nevertheless, nearly all parts of a ship like the USS Turner presented a real danger of asbestos risk. When the vessel was damaged, whether in battle, by catastrophic storms, or through misfortune, it frequently uncovered asbestos-laden fixtures to the air or subjected them to flames or flooding; this meant even further danger of experiencing high levels of asbestos contact.

When dealing with asbestos, the greatest hazard of harmful exposure is experienced when fibers are friable, because if very small asbestos fibers go into the surrounding air, the particles may then be inhaled by people in the area. Research has proven that grave medical problems such as asbestosis, lung cancer and several types of mesothelioma are linked to even low levels of asbestos contact.

Therefore, workers who were exposed to this substance during their time in service should make a point to notify their primary physicians, because asbestos-caused problems can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses. 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.

It is a regrettable fact that along with the expected dangers of enemy encounters, those who fought aboard the Turner were, as with sailors on other destroyers of this type, frequently in danger of asbestos inhalation. This was especially the case because the Turner absorbed heavy battle damage. In addition to the serious battle damage, sailors who worked on the Turner were often endangered by asbestos in the conduct of their everyday service. Moreover, even though with her short life, and the Turner underwent only a few routine redesigns and repair jobs, the chance of encountering asbestos was high for maintenance workers such as welders and carpenters who serviced the vessel whenever she spent time dry-docked.

Considering the Turner's service record, and based on what we now know about the consequences of asbestos exposure, it is imperative that servicemen who at any time in their career sailed or toiled aboard the ship, and those assigned to other American ships, understand the health hazards raised by former exposure to asbestos fibers.

Sources:

Destroyers Index