Sun Shipbuilding
In 1916, Sun Oil created the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company for the purpose of building oil tankers. When the government’s Emergency Shipbuilding program was instituted during World War II, the United States Maritime Commission gave the company $28 million to expand to 20 ways from the original eight. The expansion continued, and Sun Ship, as it became known, increased to 28 ways and became the largest shipyard in the nation.
The expertise in oil tanker construction developed over the years of building them for its parent company became a valuable commodity during World War II. Sun Ship Naval architects and engineers took the design of a traditional tanker and used it to create a variation, called the T-2 that became the prototype for the tankers used by the U.S. Maritime Commission. More than 500 of these vessels were built across the shipyards of the United States, 197 of which were constructed at Sun Ship. In addition, the yard also built freighters, fleet tankers, barges and troop transports. It stayed open, continuing to build ships, until 1980.
Just like other shipbuilding yards actively employed during World War II, asbestos products - which are known to cause mesothelioma cancer - were in constant use at Sun Ship. Super 66 asbestos-containing insulating cement was manufactured by Eagle-Picher Industries beginning in 1938, and Sun Ship was one of its many customers.
Eagle-Picher knew about Asbestos Risks
In 1932, Eagle-Picher received a report from the U.S. Bureau of Mines recommending asbestos dust control throughout its Joplin, Missouri plant because of lung fibrosis among its employees. Dr. F.V. Meriwether, who authored the report, noted that asbestos was the most dangerous dust to which anyone could be exposed. However, it didn't stop Eagle-Picher from selling the product to customers like Sun Ship.
In an April 6, 1965 letter addressed to R. Alexander at the shipyard, Eagle-Picher attempted to justify its actions by noting that only minor amounts of asbestos were used in its products. It also added that problems only occur when employees are exposed to high concentrations of the fiber (which has long been disproven, as repeated exposure to lower concentrations of asbestos can cause disease). The company did acknowledge some minor dermatological problems resulting from exposure to its products, but it was so minor that it didn't even have a medical report about it.
McCabe v. Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock
In 1974, 60-year-old Leo McCabe, who had worked as a chipper and a caulker at Sun Ship from 1931 to 1974, was told by Dr. Vincent Kownacki, the company's physician, that his chest X-ray appeared to show possible lung damage. Dr. Kownacki advised McCabe to discontinue working at the yard and seek further medical diagnosis.
McCabe went to a specialist in pulmonary diseases who determined that he had some form of pneumoconiosis (a condition resulting in persistent cough and shortness of breath) and interstitial lung disease (scarring of lung tissue that eventually affects the ability to breathe, now known as asbestosis). McCabe filed for disability and was denied. However, the Appellate Court that heard his appeal in 1979 remanded the case for a second hearing to determine if McCabe had an injury for which disability benefits could be claimed. There is no further information to suggest whether or not McCabe ever received any disability or compensation for his lung condition.
If you worked at Sun Shipbuilding and suspect you were exposed to asbestos, you should become familiar with the signs of asbestos-related disease to help catch an illness early. Those already diagnosed with mesothelioma can fill out this form to receive a complimentary informational packet to learn more about treatment options, top doctors and financial assistance for medical bills.
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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.
