Caddell Dry Dock and Repair
When John B. Caddell first launched Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Co. in 1903, the sole responsibility of the business was to dock boats. As the company quickly began to grow, it moved in 1915 to a facility that could accommodate large ships and provide an area to repair boats that were docked with the company. The projects taken on by the repair yard continued to increase as shipbuilding became more important.
Caddell Dry Dock and Repair prospered even in the face of the Great Depression because the large ship industry continued to thrive. Government agencies began contracting a number of shipyards to assemble their vessels or repair war-torn boats. Although Caddell Dry Dock and Repair Co., Inc. did not construct any of the ships used by the Navy, it did service many of the boats used during the war. The dock continued to expand through World War II.
Services performed at Caddell Dry Dock and Repair included:
- Dry docking of warships
- Full repair of marine vessels
- Marine painting services
- Sandblasting
- Surface coating operations
- Welding
- Electrical work
- Full service machine shop
These services all carried some risk of asbestos exposure either directly from working with a contaminated product or indirectly by working in areas where asbestos fibers were in the ambient air due to extensive use of asbestos materials in shipbuilding and repair.
Asbestos Exposure at Caddell Dry Dock and Repair
Much of the work performed by the company involved direct contact with asbestos. Often, by the time the boats reached Caddell's facility, asbestos had already been uncovered by destruction that occurred during battle. When ships sustained damage at war that altered the framework of the ship, asbestos-containing materials dispersed asbestos fibers into the air. The typically poor ventilation on most ships allowed the airborne fibers to circulate and eventually be inhaled by crew members.
Locations where asbestos-containing materials were used typically included areas with high temperatures. Places like boiler rooms and engine rooms were common locations for asbestos products. Throughout most of the 20th century, asbestos was considered an ideal material to incorporate into products to insulate and fireproof them.
Most ship repairs at Caddell Dry Dock were completed with asbestos-containing materials. When existing asbestos was damaged during construction or repair efforts, the dust was released into the air. Even gentle sanding had the potential to damage asbestos products, but many repair operations required more than gentle sanding.
Although many companies were aware of the harmful effects of asbestos exposure, workers continued their work without adequate protection. Company owners resisted posting caution labels on the packaging of asbestos-containing materials or in areas where work with asbestos occurred. As a result, Caddell Dry Dock Employees may have unknowingly inhaled asbestos.
Resources for Shipyard Workers
If you worked for Caddell Dry Dock and Repair, medical exams used to detect mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are highly advised as a preventative approach. Veterans who worked on ships manufactured by this company should also pay special attention to their health and note any changes that may be indicative of an asbestos-related illness. For additional information about the asbestos-related illnesses that Caddell employees are at high risk for, please fill out the form on this page.
Discussing your work history with a physician can also alert them to the possibility that such a disease could arise and that extra screenings should be scheduled. This can help contribute to an early diagnosis, which in turn may extend the prognosis for patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. Those who may have been exposed to asbestos should know that symptoms of related conditions can take between 10 and 50 years to arise.
-
05/24/2012 -
One of the biggest asbestos-abatement jobs ever done in Buffalo, New York, is being handled now by a local company with a history of asbestos-related ..
-
05/23/2012 -
A new class of anti-cancer drugs is nearing the clinical trial phase and may eventually be available for treatment of aggressive diseases like pancrea ..
-
05/23/2012 -
School districts all across America have been wrestling in recent years with the task of removing and disposing of toxic asbestos from older buildings ..
© 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.
