USS Welles DD-628

USS Welles (DD-628), a Gleaves-class destroyer, was built in Seattle, Washington, by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. and launched on 7 September 1942. She was commissioned on 16 August 1943, Lt. Cmdr. Doyle M. Coffee in command.

The Southwest Pacific

Welles arrived at Milne Bay on 5 February 1944, primarily to provide antisubmarine defense, but periodically moving in close to shore to provide cover fire for American troops fighting on the beaches.

In March, she returned to New Guinea to prepare for the Hollandia assault, providing gunfire support during the landings and consolidation operations until 2 June. During that time, she destroyed several Japanese barges, harassed enemy ground forces, silenced shore batteries, and helped to repel several air attacks.

Welles remained near New Guinea until 23 August, when she left for the Solomon Islands to join the US 3rd Fleet. At the conclusion of her participation, she joined Task Group 77.2 and began preparations for the invasion of the Philippines at Leyte.

He Did Return

Welles moved into Leyte Gulf on 18 October prior to the actual landings, covering pre-invasion minesweeping and underwater demolition team operations as well as pre-invasion bombardment of the objective. When the Japanese launched their three-pronged surface attack to break up the Leyte assault, Welles joined the screen of the aging battleships that virtually annihilated the Imperial Japanese Navy attempting to push through the Surigao Strait on the night of 24-25 October.

For the remainder of the war, Welles operated with the Fast Carrier Task Force during air strikes on Japan's inner defenses, supporting the invasions at Luzon, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

In June 1945, Welles received orders to return to the United States for a major overhaul. She arrived in Bremerton, Washington, on 16 July. She remained there until late September.

Fate

On 29 September, she got underway for New York, arriving on 20 October. In November, the ship moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she was decommissioned on 4 February 1946. Welles was berthed there for the next 22 years. On 18 July 1969, she was sold to the Union Minerals and Alloy Co. for scrapping.

Asbestos Risks

Through two world wars, each US Navy destroyer routinely installed asbestos for compartment insulation and as fireproofing. A seaman or shipyard worker was prone to be in danger of inhaling particles of asbestos when working near a vessel's engines and mechanical compartments; however, nearly all parts of the USS Welles presented a measurable level of asbestos risk. Whenever a craft took damage in combat, by severe weather, or through misfortune, it usually uncovered asbestos-containing compartments to the air or subjected them to flames or flooding, which resulted in even greater risk of undergoing extensive asbestos inhalation.

With asbestos, the worst risk to human health occurs whenever fibers become easily broken, because when the asbestos fibers are released into the surrounding air, the particles may then be breathed in by workers near the exposure. Persistent asbestos risk is known to be definitively associated with multiple forms of mesothelioma, asbestosis, cancer, and other grave medical conditions.

Seamen exposed to asbestos fibers should definitely tell their primary care physicians, since asbestos-related problems can be puzzling to diagnose because the symptoms can be mistaken for those of 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.

Like people on the other ships of her era, the men who lived and worked aboard the Welles were constantly, along with the inherent dangers associated with enemy encounters, in danger of asbestos fiber exposure. This was the case in spite of the fact the Welles absorbed very little damage in combat and required routine redesigns and overhauls. Regardless of the absence of significant damage and repair activity, sailors who served aboard the Welles were still in danger of inhaling asbestos in the daily execution of their loyal service.

In addition, this was especially true for port-based workers such as welders and carpenters who repaired the Welles when she spent time drydocked. For the sailors who sailed and worked on board this ship at any point in their career, as well as those who served on other naval vessels, it is critical to understand the dangers posed by their past exposure to asbestos, especially given what we now know about the result of asbestos exposure.

Sources:

Destroyers Index