The USS Halibut (SSGN-587) and Asbestos

The USS Halibut (SSGN-587) was the first submarine in U.S. Navy history specifically engineered to deploy guided missiles. While this vessel is remembered as being instrumental in both missile warfare capabilities and some of the most classified intelligence operations of the Cold War era, her history also includes the presence of asbestos-containing parts and components. Exposure to these materials put the health of crew members, shipyard workers, and maintenance personnel at risk, and many have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and related respiratory ailments.

Origins and Design of the Halibut

As the Cold War intensified in the 1950s, developing submarine-launched strategic weapons systems became a priority. The result was the USS Halibut. Construction began at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, with the keel laying ceremony taking place in April 1957 and the submarine finally launched in January 1959. The vessel officially entered naval service in January 1960.[1]

Measuring 349.7 feet in overall length with a 29.2-foot beam and 28.9-foot draft, the Halibut displaced approximately 3,655 tons on the surface and 5,000 tons when submerged. Her nuclear propulsion system featured a single S3W reactor made by Westinghouse, which drove twin propellers and enabled surface speeds of roughly 15 knots and submerged speeds over 20 knots. The vessel carried 10 officers and 88 enlisted personnel, and its armament included six 533mm torpedo tubes as well as her primary missile systems.

New Missile Capabilities

The Halibut’s most distinctive feature was the specialized missile storage and launch apparatus. In designing the submarine to accommodate the Regulus I cruise missile system, engineers included a retractable launching ramp and a protective storage compartment that could hold up to four Regulus I missiles or two of the larger Regulus II missiles. To accommodate this, the ship had an unusual profile that many described as looking like a snake that had swallowed extremely large prey.[1]

The Halibut’s first missile launch took place in March 1960, while traveling to Australia during her shakedown cruise. It was the Navy’s very first successful guided missile deployment from a nuclear-powered submarine. After initial trials and adjustments at Mare Island, the Halibut joined the Pacific Fleet and began conducting operational patrols.

Early Operational History

The Halibut’s first service period was focused on developing and demonstrating its revolutionary submarine-based missile capabilities. Her first combat patrol included a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization weapons demonstration showing the Regulus I system’s potential. Throughout 1961 and extending into 1964, the submarine conducted several Western Pacific deployments, during which the crew continued testing both missile systems while simultaneously acting as a deterrent against Soviet naval forces. Her primary strategic target was the Soviet naval installation at Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula. The Halibut completed seven deterrent patrols, but then was discontinued after the introduction of the Polaris missile technology installed in the newer Lafayette-class ballistic missile submarines.[1] 

Transformation for Special Operations

When the Regulus program was discontinued in 1965, naval planners decided to use the Halibut for other missions. She underwent extensive modifications that transformed her into a platform for deep-sea exploration and secret intelligence gathering. The conversion process was completed at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in August 1965. It involved removing missile systems and installing advanced electronic surveillance, sonar, photographic, and video equipment. The Halibut also received a new classification, SSN-587, which reflected her transition from guided missile platform to attack submarine configuration.[1]

Advanced Special Mission Capabilities

More modifications were performed in 1968 at Mare Island to further enhance the vessel’s specialized abilities. Engineers installed lateral thrusters, specialized anchoring systems including fore and aft mushroom anchors for seabed positioning, and a saturation diving chamber utilizing mixed-gas breathing systems. She was also equipped with both long and short-range side-scanning sonar arrays, comprehensive video and photographic documentation equipment, and a Sperry UNIVAC 1224 mainframe computer system—the first such installation aboard any submarine.

Other equipment that was added included specialized recording and surveillance apparatus, oceanographic instruments, seabed contact skids nicknamed “sneakers,” and a towed underwater search vehicle referred to as the “fish.” These modifications were important, as they were what enabled the Halibut to conduct extended bottom surveys and covert intelligence operations in hostile waters.[2]

Operation Ivy Bells: The Cable Tapping Mission

One of the Halibut’s most memorable missions was a secret installation of surveillance equipment on the Soviets’ underwater communication cables. These cables ran through the Sea of Okhotsk and connected the Kamchatka Peninsula to mainland installations. The Halibut’s operation was extremely tricky and required both precision and courage from the submarine’s crew and specialized divers who exited the submarine in frigid waters while tethered to the vessel through lines supplying heated water to their protective suits.[2] 

The Halibut’s divers successfully located the Soviet cables in the cold, dark environment and attached a 20-foot listening device that recorded all communications without penetrating the cable housing. To prevent the covert surveillance from being discovered, the equipment was designed to release and sink if the Soviets raised the cable for maintenance.

Every month, retrieval operations were conducted to allow intelligence personnel to collect the recorded communications and install fresh recording equipment. This project provided invaluable insights into Soviet naval operations until a security breach in 1981.

K-129 Recovery Mission

In July 1968, the Halibut participated in another highly classified operation involving a Soviet Golf II-class ballistic missile submarine, which was known to have sunk in the Pacific Ocean under mysterious circumstances. The Halibut spent more than three weeks systematically searching the waters for K-129, submerging more than three miles before locating the wreckage.

The Halibut’s crew was able to complete a comprehensive photographic survey of the K-129 wreck.  The information gathered was used later to conduct a special salvage operation of the Soviet submarine in 1974.[2]

Recognition and Awards

The Halibut’s exceptional service earned numerous prestigious commendations, including two Presidential Unit Citations, two Navy Unit Commendations, and the Navy E Ribbon. President Lyndon Johnson personally awarded the first Presidential Unit Citation for the K-129 location mission, representing the highest honor available to submarine units.[2]

Final Service Years and Decommissioning

The Halibut continued operating under Submarine Development Group One and conducting intelligence missions against Soviet targets throughout the early 1970s. The submarine’s active service ended in June 1976, after completing a remarkable 1,232 operational dives over more than sixteen years of naval service. After her decommissioning, she was kept at the Keyport/Bangor Trident Base in Washington state until being struck from the Naval Vessel Register in April 1986. As a nuclear-powered vessel, the Halibut was disposed of through the Ship-Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in September 1994.

Naval Use of Asbestos-Based Materials

The U.S. Navy’s extensive use of asbestos-containing materials lasted from the mid-1930s through the early 1980s. Though today we know how dangerous asbestos is, in those days it was valued by the military and industry alike because of its many beneficial properties. This was especially true for the Navy because of the maritime environment in which it operated.  

Asbestos offered: 

• Thermal insulation
• Fire-suppression 
• Chemical resistance
• Durability under harsh conditions
• Low cost

The need for these features was considered especially important for submarines, whose confined spaces and complex propulsion and electrical systems made asbestos an ideal safety solution for preventing catastrophic fires and equipment failures. 

• The compact environment in the submarine meant that fire posed extreme danger, necessitating extensive fire-resistant material applications throughout the vessel.
• Nuclear-powered submarines like the Halibut needed significant heat-resistant insulation around reactor spaces and steam generation equipment, increasing asbestos material usage.

Unfortunately, the physical characteristics of the submarine also made the use of asbestos a deadly health risk for everybody on board. Submarine operations created unique conditions that intensified asbestos exposure:

• Restricted, sealed air circulation systems in a submerged submarine meant that disturbed asbestos fibers remained in the air for days, increasing inhalation exposure risks.
• Routine repair and maintenance work in the submarine’s cramped spaces frequently disturbed asbestos materials, releasing dangerous fibers into the confined atmosphere.

Where Was Asbestos Found Aboard the USS Halibut?

Asbestos was included in hundreds of systems and components of the Halibut, including:

Thermal Insulation Systems:

• Steam pipe lagging and wrapping
• Engine room and boiler compartment insulation
• Electrical conduit and wiring insulation
• Turbine and generator housing protection

Structural Elements:

• Bulkhead and overhead panels
• Deck covering materials and tiles
• Mechanical seals and gasket materials
• Valve packing and joint compounds

Fire Prevention Equipment:

• Protective clothing and emergency blankets
• Heat-resistant storage containers
• Fireproof compartment barriers
• Emergency response equipment

Propulsion and Mechanical Components:

• Reactor compartment insulation (nuclear vessels)
• Pump housing and motor casings
• Ventilation system components
• Brake and clutch assemblies

Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos generally poses no immediate danger when properly installed and left undisturbed, but health risks emerge when asbestos fibers become airborne and are inhaled. On board the USS Halibut, this could happen any time any of the following occurred:

• During maintenance procedures
• Vibration or impact
• Cutting, drilling, or modification activities
• Natural deterioration due to aging or environmental conditions

Scientific research has established a definitive connection between asbestos exposure and several serious health conditions, including:

• Mesothelioma: An aggressive and rare form of cancer affecting the tissue surrounding the lungs, abdomen, or heart. This disease occurs following asbestos exposure, but typically doesn’t show symptoms until 20 to 50 years after contact. The condition presents in three primary forms: pleural mesothelioma (lung cavity),peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal cavity), and pericardial mesothelioma (heart cavity).
• Lung Cancer: Asbestos exposure substantially elevates lung cancer risk, particularly when combined with tobacco use.
• Asbestosis: Progressive scarring of lung tissue resulting from prolonged asbestos fiber inhalation, leading to chronic respiratory impairment and breathing difficulties.
• Other Cancers: Research suggests possible links between asbestos exposure and cancers affecting the larynx, ovaries, and other organ systems.

Support for USS Halibut Veterans with Mesothelioma

Department of Veterans Affairs Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers comprehensive assistance programs for veterans who developed asbestos-related conditions during military service, including:

Disability Benefits: Veterans diagnosed with health conditions linked to military asbestos exposure may qualify for monthly compensation payments based on disability severity ratings.

Medical Care: The VA system provides specialized healthcare services for veterans, including advanced treatment programs for asbestos-related diseases.

Family Support: Qualifying veterans and their families receive access to various support services, including counseling programs and home healthcare assistance.

To receive these benefits, veterans need to demonstrate the connection between their asbestos-related condition and military service. This claims process requires:

• Comprehensive medical documentation of the asbestos-related diagnosis
• Evidence demonstrating asbestos exposure during naval service
• Professional medical opinion linking the condition to military service exposure

Legal Options and Compensation

Veterans who served aboard the Halibut also may be eligible to pursue legal remedies beyond the VA benefits to which they’re entitled. These remedies include:

• Veterans who served on the USS Halibut can file lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing products used to construct the vessel. Similarly, surviving family members may pursue wrongful death claims when veterans succumb to asbestos-related diseases. Both of these types of actions often result in out-of-court settlement agreements, and those cases that go to trial may lead to generous awards ordered by juries.
• Over 100 of the companies that manufactured asbestos products established asbestos trust funds specifically designated for victims of exposure to their products. These trusts often resulted from corporate bankruptcy proceedings and provide alternative compensation sources.

Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related conditions should consult with asbestos attorneys who specialize in cases involving exposure. They can evaluate their compensation options and explain the legal processes involved. These legal professionals use extensive resources to conduct thorough case evaluations and gather information to identify all potential defendants and exposure sources contributing to the veteran’s illness. They even identify the best place for your claim to be filed.

Critical information that attorneys use to build strong cases includes:

• Complete naval service records and vessel assignments
• Detailed job descriptions, responsibilities, and work locations
• Documentation of maintenance, repair, or construction activities performed or witnessed
• Testimony from fellow crew members and service personnel
• Complete medical records documenting diagnosis and treatment history

Taking prompt action after a diagnosis is essential for preserving legal rights, because each state maintains strict deadlines for filing legal claims.  As soon as you have a treatment plan in place, your next step should be reaching out to qualified legal counsel who will protect your rights and maximize the compensation you and your family receive.