Kane Shipbuilding
The Kane Shipbuilding Company was established in the early 1900s in Galveston, Texas. The area was home to a variety of marine facilities, making it a major player in the shipbuilding and repair industry. In its early years, the company was a small-scale shipbuilding and repair operation catering to a few select clients in the commercial shipping sector.
World War II brought opportunities for small-scale shipyards to grow at a rapid pace as the United States Navy needed ships for the war. Kane Shipbuilding and other repair and shipbuilding facilities across the country were called upon to focus solely on supplying ships and services for the war effort. Kane shipbuilding rose to the occasion and built a substantial number of large ships for both the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard.
Before the war, Kane Shipbuilding employed a small staff of builders and repairmen. When growth exploded, the company hired the best local talent available. This created many jobs for both locals and others living in the surrounding Galveston area. The men and women of Texas played a crucial role in providing and repairing war vessels during World War II and most stayed with the company after the war ended in 1945.
Asbestos Exposure at Kane Shipbuilding
Kane Shipbuilding used products that contained asbestos before the 1970s. While the company never broke any laws, it did expose its workers to excessive amounts of asbestos. As a result, many workers became ill or will become ill later in life. Depending upon which condition develops, the effects of exposure to asbestos can take anywhere from 10 to 50 years to show up after initial exposure occurred.
Exposure occurs when asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested and become lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart. Asbestos fibers can attach to clothes so many workers carried the dangerous fibers home without even knowing it. This kind of exposure, known as secondary exposure, was not uncommon in families of shipyard workers.
Kane Shipbuilding constructed coastal tankers and deck barges for the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard. The company built ships for other entities as well. They used asbestos insulation and fireproofing during the construction of their ships and barges. The process involved sanding, shaping and cutting materials that contained asbestos. Asbestos was also used in a spray form to cover parts of the ship in order to protect it against fires.
Asbestos exposure did not stop at construction. Repairmen were also exposed to the mineral while repairing certain parts of the ship that contained asbestos. Asbestos was commonly used in the following areas and products:
- Boilers
- Ceilings
- Floors
- Furnaces
- Gaskets
- Gears
- Pipe Insulation
When repairing these parts of the ship, it was quite easy to inhale asbestos fibers without realizing it. The majority of workers did not even think to wear protective equipment.
Kane Shipbuilding Resources and Medical Help
Thousands of shipyard workers across the United States have developed asbestos-related conditions from their exposure on the job. Contracting diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma cancer and lung cancer, shipyard workers have the best hope for effective treatment if they can catch asbestos-related disease in an early stage of development.
If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos, the only way to monitor signs of an asbestos-related illness is to see a doctor for regular exams. A doctor knowledgeable in asbestos-related conditions can assess your risk, check for symptoms and make recommendations about treatment options. If you would like assistance finding a specialist, please visit the informative page on our Doctor Match Program by clicking here. Those who have been diagnosed can request support resources by filling out this form or speak directly with a Patient and Family Advocate by calling (800) 615-2270.
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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.
