American Ship Building Company
Originally operating as "Cleveland Shipbuilding," the Ohio-based shipyard changed its name to American Ship Building Company after acquiring West Bay Shipbuilding, Toledo Shipbuilding and Superior Shipbuilding in 1900. Prior to the start of World War I, American Ship Building Company also acquired Detroit Shipbuilding, Chicago Shipbuilding and Buffalo Dry Dock.
Until World War II, the American Ship Building Company's Lorain, Ohio shipyard handled the Great Lakes' largest ore carriers. The M/V Paul R. Tregurtha, the largest ship on the Great Lakes, was one of the company's largest projects. Other vessels constructed by the American Ship Building Company included:
- USS Key West
- USS Gulfport
- USS Lorain
- USS Racine
- USS Milledgeville
Personnel who worked on the construction of any of these ships may have been exposed to asbestos during the construction process. Asbestos was used in countless products that were handled, installed, repaired and removed at the American Ship Building Company's facility.
World War II spurred an increase in the nation's shipbuilding industry, specifically for the United States Navy and their war efforts. Battleship production at American Ship Building Company kicked into full gear at this time. The demand for the construction of commercial shipment boats also increased, as these vessels were used to carry equipment, food and other materials for the military.
To meet the demands for vessels able to withstand high temperatures, many shipbuilding companies utilized asbestos-containing materials. These materials were inexpensive and versatile for a number of shipbuilding projects. Like many other shipyards during this time, American Ship Building Company heavily depended on asbestos during the construction of new ships and exposed their workers to high amounts of the mineral. Exposure typically occurred by inhaling airborne asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Exposure at American Ship Building Company
Asbestos exposure was essentially unavoidable for the workers at the American Shipbuilding Company. Countless materials used by the company contained asbestos, yet few protective measures were taken to protect the workers. Most employees were unaware of what they were being exposed to and the hazards that surrounded asbestos.
Materials used on a daily basis by American Ship Building Company employees were common sources of asbestos. These products included:
- Insulation
- Flooring
- Valves
- Gaskets
- Pipes
- Electrical wiring
Many other products that were prevalent at American Ship Building Company also included the mineral. For additional information about the items that commonly contained asbestos, please see the asbestos products page.
One way asbestos was commonly released into the air at American Ship Building Company's facility was through the spraying of asbestos as insulation. It was often applied to objects that had to withstand extremely high temperatures. This practice released millions of asbestos fibers into the air. Once inhaled, the microscopic fibers could easily become lodged in the lining of the lungs, where they slowly caused the development of serious diseases such as mesothelioma. For information on this rare cancer, fill out the form on this page.
Resources for Shipyard Workers
The American Ship Building Company heavily used asbestos although they were aware of the dangers posed by the fibers. Numerous labor disputes eventually led to the closing of the Lorain, Ohio yard in 1984. By 1993, the company had filed for bankruptcy due to a high volume of asbestos litigation cases.
If you or anyone you know worked for the company before 1980, regular checkups can help monitor symptoms of asbestos-related diseases. If you would like assistance finding a qualified doctor experienced in treating asbestos-related disease, the Mesothelioma Center's Doctor Match Program can help.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
