Navy Frigates - Mesothelioma & Asbestos Exposure in Naval Ships

Asbestos and Navy Frigates

In 1794, the first sox ships to be commissioned in the new United States Navy were known as "frigates." These small, fast and maneuverable vessels, which carried up to 44 guns and were christened with such immortal names as Constitution, Constellation and Chesapeake, formed the backbone of a naval tradition that carries on to this day.

In the 21st century U.S. Navy, frigates carry out a multitude of tasks. They often serve as escorts for larger ships such as destroyers and aircraft carriers, conduct anti-submarine warfare tactics, and launch guided missiles at enemy positions and aircraft.

As demand for frigates increased during World War II, so did the use of asbestos. A mineral that was valued material in vessel construction because of its light weight and resistance to heat, asbestos was a universally used product in frigates and many other Navy ships.

Asbestos-laced insulation protected vital steam pipes, boilers and other shipboard components exposed to extreme temperatures. At one time, nearly 300 products used in frigate construction contained asbestos. The Navy banned the use of asbestos in frigate construction in 1973 after asbestos was linked to mesothelioma and other illnesses.

People who served on frigates are among the groups of high-risk veterans who could be eligible for VA benefits. Our veterans claims page explains the available financial assistance for you or your family. Veterans are a high-risk group for getting mesothelioma because of asbestos exposure while in the military or occupationally after serving.

Mesothelioma and Navy Frigates

One research study estimates that one in three patients diagnosed with mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos on Navy vessels. These patients may have been involved either in the construction of the original ships, or as part of their duties on Navy frigates and other vessels.

Loose airborne asbestos fibers, combined with the small, cramped spaces in the boiler rooms and steam chambers of frigates, often created the ideal conditions for high-level asbestos exposure.

Asbestos and Naval Shipyards

Workers at various shipyards around the country may have handled asbestos-containing materials during construction tasks on frigates. Some of the shipyards involved in frigate construction for the Navy include:

Todd-Pacific Shipyard Corp., Seattle, Washington

Todd-Pacific Shipyard Corp., San Pedro, California

Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine

Brooklyn Naval Yard, Brooklyn, New York

World War II-Era Navy Frigates

Here is a partial list of WWII-era US Navy frigates. Sailors and officers who served on these ships may have been exposed to asbestos:

WWII-era US Navy frigates PF-1 - PF-20