The USS Dace (SSN-607) was a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Thresher class (later renamed Permit class). One of the Navy’s revolutionary deep-diving submarines, the Dace played a crucial role in developing submarine tactics and maintaining America’s naval superiority. Unfortunately, the ship was constructed using numerous asbestos-containing materials and components, resulting in harmful exposure for her crew that put them at risk for mesothelioma and other diseases.
About the USS Dace (SSN-607)
Dace (SSN-607) was the second submarine with the Dace name. She was laid down in June 1960 at Pascagoula, Mississippi, by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries and launched in August 1962. The vessel was sponsored by Mrs. Betty Ford, wife of Michigan Congressman (and future President) Gerald R. Ford, Jr., and was commissioned in April 1964, with Commander John A. Walsh in command.[1]
The Dace measured 279 feet in length with a beam of 32 feet and a draft of 25 feet. With a displacement of 4,000 tons submerged, she carried a complement of 100 officers and enlisted men and could achieve speeds exceeding 20 knots. The submarine was armed with four 21-inch torpedo tubes positioned amidships and angled outward, which was a departure from traditional bow-mounted configurations.
About the Thresher/Permit Class Submarines
The Dace was one of the Thresher-class submarines that were later renamed the Permit class after the loss of the USS Thresher (SSN-593) in April 1963. The class represented the Navy’s first generation of deep-diving, quiet, multi-purpose nuclear submarines, which marked a significant advancement over previous nuclear vessels in three critical areas: operating depth, noise reduction, and combat systems.[2]
The Thresher design used HY-80 steel and advanced welding techniques to achieve an operating depth of approximately 1,300 feet—nearly twice that of previous U.S. submarines. This depth capability provided was unprecedented and offered significant tactical advantages.
The Thesher class also introduced major advances in submarine quieting technology. Turbines and other machinery essential to operations were mounted on sound-isolating rafts that made the boats much harder to detect. The Thresher class also featured the revolutionary AN/BQQ-2 sonar system, whose 15-foot diameter bow sphere provided detection capabilities better than those of any contemporary submarine.[2]
USS Dace’s Operational History
Soon after commissioning, the Dace was assigned to New London, Connecticut’s Development Group, which created and evaluated submarine warfare tactics, weapons systems, and sonar technologies. The Dace contributed valuable information about the abilities and limitations of the Thresher class.[1]
By October 1967, the Dace had joined Submarine Squadron Ten, Submarine Division 102. Her performance in late 1967 earned the crew a Navy Unit Commendation, while Commander Kinnaird R. McKee, her commanding officer, received the Legion of Merit. The submarine’s excellence continued to be recognized with consecutive Fire Control Excellence Awards and Battle Efficiency “E” Awards throughout her service.
Testing and Development Operations
From 1968 through the early 1970s, the Dace participated in experimental and evaluation programs, including submarine-versus-submarine exercises, evaluating new periscope systems, testing sonar equipment, and performing weapons systems assessments. The Dace also underwent a comprehensive overhaul at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. This refurbishment tested shorter maintenance periods and included updates to sonar, fire control, and communications equipment.
Mediterranean Deployments
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Dace completed multiple deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, conducting special operations for the Sixth Fleet. These deployments each lasted several months and involved anti-submarine warfare operations, NATO exercises, and intelligence-gathering missions. The vessel also made regular port calls at Naples and La Spezia, Italy, and Rota, Spain.
During her 1977 Mediterranean deployment, the Dace earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation for her work “in support of Commander Sixth Fleet’s anti-submarine warfare objectives… that enhanced combat readiness and greatly expanded knowledge of tactical capabilities and limitations of submarine platforms and their sensor systems.”
Libya Operations and Cold War Service
In the spring of 1986, the Dace participated in Operations Attain Document III and El Dorado Canyon off the coast of Libya. Working alongside the USS Dallas (SSN-700), the vessel was integral in helping contain Libyan Soviet-built Foxtrot-class diesel-electric submarines while U.S. air and surface forces engaged Libyan targets. Her role in maintaining underwater superiority earned the vessel the Navy Unit Commendation, and her crew members were authorized to wear the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
Major Overhaul and Modernization
In 1979, the Dace’s homeport shifted to Vallejo, California, in preparation for a major overhaul at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. The extensive modernization, which lasted from October 1979 to August 1981, included upgrading the vessel’s armament to the Mk. 117 Fire Control System and AN/BQQ-5 sonar system, substantially enhancing her detection and weapons capabilities.
The Dace also received certification under the SubSafe program, which was instituted following the Thresher tragedy “to provide maximum reasonable assurance of watertight integrity and recovery capability.” This certification process involved rigorous testing and inspection of all pressure hull penetrations and safety systems.
Final Years and International Cooperation
After returning to New London in 1982, the Dace resumed active operations. She completed her final Mediterranean deployment from December 1982 to May 1983. Her later service included participation in NATO exercises such as Ocean Safari 85 and various joint training operations with allied navies.
In 1987, the Dace participated in UNITAS 28-87, an annual training exercise with South American navies that demonstrated the importance of international naval cooperation during the Cold War. This multilateral exercise included units from multiple U.S. and South American naval forces, showcasing the submarine’s versatility in coalition operations.
Decommissioning and Disposal
Dace’s final operational phase began in January 1988 when she departed New London for the last time, bound for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. Her final voyage included passage through the Panama Canal and a ceremonial crossing of the equator to initiate crew members into King Neptune’s domain.
In February 1988, a ceremony attended by Admiral Kinnaird R. McKee, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program and Dace’s former commanding officer, marked the submarine’s inactivation. Following inactivation, Dace served as a test platform for special hull testing before being decommissioned in December 1988. The submarine entered the nuclear submarine recycling program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard I February 1996, with disposal completed in January 1997.[1]
The Navy’s Dependence on Asbestos Materials
The U.S. Navy considered asbestos the ideal material for the construction of its vessels due to the specific needs of maritime environments as well as the unique operational hazards faced by ships operating in hostile environments. They needed protection against both the corrosive nature of the sea and the risk of fires linked to fuel storage, ammunition handling, and complex mechanical systems. With knowledge of this naturally occurring mineral’s dangers as an industry secret until the mid-1970s, it seemed to offer all the properties that naval architects and engineers considered essential for shipbuilding applications, including:
- Superior thermal protection
- Flame-retardant capabilities
- Excellent insulation
- Resistance to corrosive chemicals
- Exceptional longevity and strength
- Affordability and accessibility
As a result, asbestos was incorporated into countless materials and systems throughout naval vessels. Only later did the risk it created become clear.
Asbestos Use in Naval Ships
Asbestos could be found throughout naval vessels of all kinds, and was particularly prevalent in areas that generated heat, risked fire, or needed additional strength. These included:
Thermal Protection Systems:
• Pipeline wrapping and thermal barriers • Engine compartment and boiler insulation
• Steam distribution system protection • Electrical conduit and wiring insulation
Construction Elements:
• Bulkhead and overhead paneling • Deck covering materials and tiles • Sealing components and joint materials • Valve stem packing and mechanical seals
Fire Protection Equipment:
• Flame-resistant protective garments and covers • High-temperature safety equipment • Fire-resistant storage containers and safes
Propulsion and Mechanical Components:
• Steam turbine thermal protection • Motor and pump housing insulation • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning elements • Friction materials for brakes and clutches
Asbestos Use in Submarines
The unique conditions in which submarines operated led to even greater reliance on asbestos and, therefore, increased the level of risk. Factors that contributed to the danger to submarine personnel included:
Restricted Environments: The compact nature of submarine compartments meant that fire suppression and heat management were even more critical, leading to increased reliance on asbestos-based fire protection materials.
Nuclear Propulsion Systems: The advent of nuclear-powered submarines in the 1950s created additional requirements for radiation shielding and high-temperature insulation around reactor spaces and steam-generating equipment, which asbestos provided.
Air Recirculation: Submarine atmospheric systems continuously recycled cabin air, meaning that any airborne asbestos particles would remain in the breathing environment for extended periods rather than being dispersed outside the vessel’s environment.
Weapons Storage Areas: Submarine torpedo compartments frequently contained asbestos-based materials in sealing systems, insulation components, and safety equipment.
Sound Dampening Abilities: The Dace and other Thresher-class submarines’ design was specifically engineered to reduce the generation of sound, and much of this was accomplished through the increased use of asbestos insulation.
Medical Risks and Health Consequences
Though asbestos poses no immediate danger when properly contained and undamaged, the material creates a significant health threat when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested into the respiratory or digestive systems. This chain of events generally occurs when materials containing asbestos are:
• Damaged during routine maintenance or emergency repairs • Compromised by operational vibration, impact, or normal wear • Mechanically altered through cutting, drilling, or similar operations • Degraded due to environmental factors or aging
Extensive scientific research has established a definitive connection between asbestos exposure and multiple severe health conditions, the most common of which include:
Mesothelioma: An aggressive and deadly malignancy that affects the mesothelium, a protective lining of the cavity that holds the lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart. This rare form of cancer is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure. Its dangers are exacerbated by the fact that it typically remains dormant for 20-50 years before symptomsappear, leading to treatment not starting until it is too advanced to be effective. The disease manifests in the chest cavity (pleural mesothelioma), abdominal region (peritoneal mesothelioma), or around the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Pulmonary Carcinoma: Asbestos exposure dramatically elevates lung cancer risk, with the danger compounded significantly when combined with cigarette smoking.
Asbestosis: Progressive scarring of lung tissue resulting from asbestos fiber inhalation, creating a chronic condition marked by respiratory distress and reduced lung function.
Additional Malignancies: Studies have established potential connections between asbestos exposure and cancers affecting the throat, reproductive organs, and other body systems.
Support for USS Dace Veterans with Mesothelioma Diagnoses
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive assistance programs for military personnel who experienced asbestos exposure during their service. Available support includes:
- Disability Benefits: Service members who develop medical conditions linked to military asbestos exposure may qualify for monthly compensation payments based on disability ratings.
- Medical Care Services: The VA system provides specialized healthcare services for veterans, including expert treatment for diseases related to asbestos exposure.
- Family Support Programs: The VA offers qualifying veterans and their families access to various support services, including counseling groups and in-home healthcare assistance.
Veterans must establish a service connection between their asbestos-related condition and their military duties. Essential documentation includes:
• Clinical evidence confirming an asbestos-related diagnosis • Documentation of asbestos exposure during military service
• Professional medical assessment linking the condition to military exposure
VA Medical Facilities with Specialized Treatment
Several VA medical centers include departments that specialize in treating and managing asbestos-related illnesses. These include:
• Boston VA Medical Center: Recognized for comprehensive mesothelioma and lung cancer treatment services
• Los Angeles VA Medical Center: Staffed with specialists experienced in asbestos-related disease management
Most major VA medical facilities maintain oncology and respiratory medicine departments with experience treating asbestos-related conditions and various cancer types.
Legal Claims
Veterans who served aboard the Dace may pursue justice and compensation beyond the benefits offered by the VA. Legal actions include:
• Personal Injury Claims: Veterans may pursue civil litigation against manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products used in naval construction and outfitting. These cases typically target product manufacturers rather than the government, which is immune from liability beyond the services and benefits provided by the V.A.. Families of veterans who have died from asbestos-related diseases can also pursue wrongful death claims.
• Compensation Trust Funds: Numerous asbestos product manufacturers have established victim compensation funds. These trusts often resulted from settlements and negotiations in corporate bankruptcy proceedings, though some companies have voluntarily established these funds.
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or related asbestos diseases should consult with qualified asbestos litigation attorneys who can explain available compensation options and legal procedures. These knowledgeable legal professionals specialize in asbestos claims, and can answer all your questions, gather information to identify all potential sources of exposure and responsible parties, and provide assistance and representation in all aspects of your claim.
Critical information that mesothelioma attorneys use to build strong cases includes:
• Ship assignments and service periods • Detailed job responsibilities, duties, and work locations • Any maintenance, repair, or construction activities performed or witnessed • Testimony from fellow service members • Complete medical documentation showing diagnosis and treatment history
Beginning the legal evaluation process as soon as possible after diagnosis is very important, both for health management and to protect your legal rights. Every state maintains time restrictions called statutes of limitations that specify how much time victims have to file legal claims after diagnosis or disease discovery. A lawyer can explain all the processes and opportunities available, let you know what to expect, and make sure that your case is managed in a way that minimizes the burden on you and your family and maximizes your compensation.
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