The USS Hammerhead (SSN-663) was a nuclear-powered attack submarine that operated from 1968 to 1995. Constructed when asbestos was still being used in shipbuilding, crew members aboard this vessel faced significant exposure to the carcinogenic fibers. Navy veterans who served aboard the Hammerhead, as well as shipyard workers involved in its construction and upgrades, are at risk for mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis, and other disabling asbestos-related illnesses.
About the USS Hammerhead and Sturgeon-Class Design Submarines
The USS Hammerhead was the second naval vessel to be named for the hammerhead shark, a predator that inhabits warm ocean waters and which is characterized by its unique hammer-shaped cranium. The first Hammerhead was also a submarine, commissioned in 1944 and active during both World War II and the Korean War.[1]
Sturgeon-class nuclear submarines were designed primarily for anti-submarine combat operations, intelligence collection missions, and protective screening duties for carrier battle groups. These technologically advanced vessels incorporated sophisticated systems, including a Westinghouse S5W nuclear reactor that powered dual steam turbines linked to a single propulsion screw. The submarines achieved operational speeds of roughly 20 knots when surfaced and 30 knots while submerged.[2]
The Sturgeon-class featured weaponry including four 21-inch torpedo tubes positioned amidships (with sonar equipment housed in the bow section). They carried Mark 48 torpedoes, SUBROC anti-submarine missiles, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and diverse naval mines. Some of the vessels, including the Hammerhead, were later equipped with cutting-edge BQQ-5 sonar technology, which incorporated the bow-mounted spherical sonar array and an extendable 1,100-foot towed sonar system. It was complemented by dual periscopes for visual reconnaissance.
The Hammerhead measured 292 feet 3 inches in overall length with a beam of 31 feet 8 inches and a draft of 28 feet 8 inches. Her displacement totaled 3,860 tons, and she maintained a crew complement of 107 personnel operating within extremely cramped quarters throughout extended deployments.[1]
Construction History and Operational Service
The USS Hammerhead’s construction began in November 1965. She was built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Company and launched in April 1967, with Mrs. O. Clark Fisher serving as sponsor. After all trials and final preparations were completed, the Hammerhead was commissioned in June 1968, under the command of Commander E. Frederick Murphy, Jr.
Early Operations
After being commissioned, the Hammerhead immediately began operational duties, conducting North Atlantic patrols from July through November 1968. In August 1968, the submarine visited St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and various locations in the Bahamas, establishing her presence in Caribbean waters. She was assigned a memorable duty in July 1969 when she participated in support operations for the historic Apollo 11 lunar mission launch at Cape Kennedy. The Hammerhead’s assignment included hosting a tour by Vice President Spiro Agnew.[3]
Cold War Operations
The submarine saw numerous deployments as part of the U.S. Navy’s vital Cold War force. In October 1970, the Hammerhead conducted her first deployment to the North Pole. This groundbreaking mission demonstrated American submarine capabilities in Arctic regions. These operations became a specialty for the Hammerhead, with “Blue Nose” Arctic Circle deployments occurring in March-June 1973, May 1982, March-June 1990, and February-July 1991. These missions were challenging; they required exceptional crew endurance and submarine reliability in extreme conditions.[1]
Mediterranean and Global Deployments
The Hammerhead’s service record included multiple Mediterranean deployments, beginning with a January-July 1974 mission and followed by subsequent deployments in September 1978-February 1979, November 1983-April 1984, August 1988-March 1989, and May-July 1991. These missions supported NATO operations and American strategic interests in the region.
A particularly notable achievement for the crew occurred during this period, in the midst of a West Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment from April through September 1981 that extended American submarine presence into critical Pacific regions. In June 1981, crew members participated in the traditional “Shellback Initiation” ceremony while crossing the equator in Atlantic waters.
The submarine’s final major deployment included transiting the Panama Canal in September 1987-February 1988. Another Shellback ceremony was held, followed by an extensive overhaul at Vallejo before returning to Norfolk as her new homeport.
Final Years and Decommissioning
The Hammerhead’s operational life concluded in 1990, at the same time that the Cold War ended and naval requirements evolved. The vessel was decommissioned in April 1995, after 27 years of service. She was scrapped through the Ship and Submarine Recycling Program, which was completed in November 1995.
Military Reliance on Asbestos Materials
Up until the early 1980s, the United States Navy incorporated asbestos into all of its vessel designs, including submarine construction protocols. By the time the Hammerhead was built, manufacturers and suppliers had increasingly been made aware of the dangers posed by the mineral, but remained silent to maintain profitable military and shipyard contracts. At the same time, Cold War tensions and the fear of Soviet naval threats led naval engineers to greater use of the prized material: Its outstanding fire-resistant characteristics and exceptional thermal insulation properties, along with its resistance to chemical deterioration in harsh maritime conditions, made it seem ideal for the newly developed nuclear-powered attack submarines, which had unique vulnerabilities.
The USS Hammerhead underwent construction and modernization during the peak period of naval asbestos dependency, and the material’s fibrous, flexible composition made it ideal for installation in space-constrained applications like that found on submarines. Asbestos found widespread use in pipe insulation, gasket materials, electrical components, and fire-resistant protective coatings.
Transitioning Away from Shipboard Asbestos
By 1973, naval authorities had learned of the dangers of asbestos. They began restricting its use in new construction projects and major vessel overhauls, and by 1975, the military had substantially eliminated asbestos from all new installations. Unfortunately, existing materials hidden in thousands of vessels remained where they were until maintenance necessitated their removal. In many cases, removal never occurred, and crew members continued to be put at risk of exposure.[4]
The military’s legacy of asbestos use presented a massive challenge for Navy leadership. Comprehensive asbestos management protocols were put in place, incorporating detailed surveys of existing materials, specialized personnel training for those who might encounter asbestos during maintenance operations, and rigorous procedures for handling and disposal. Unfortunately, complete asbestos elimination was deemed impractical given the enormous scope of the undertaking. Instead, naval authorities emphasized containment, encapsulation, and careful management until the vessels that were known to be contaminated were eventually decommissioned.
Asbestos Distribution Throughout the USS Hammerhead
The asbestos-containing materials within the USS Hammerhead could be found in almost all of its structural and system components. Given the vessel’s compact design, it would have been nearly impossible for sailors aboard the submarine to avoid exposure. Nevertheless, certain areas presented greater hazards than others.
- The vessel’s nuclear propulsion and engineering sections contained the most concentrated asbestos materials aboard the vessel. The reactor compartment, engine room, and auxiliary machinery spaces required extensive asbestos insulation to shield both equipment and the personnel working with it from extreme temperatures produced by nuclear operations. Steam piping, reactor cooling systems, and propulsion machinery were wrapped or treated with asbestos-containing insulation and protective materials.
- Throughout the submarine’s command centers and living areas, deck materials, bulkhead coverings, overhead panels, and protective coatings were infused with asbestos to add strength and durability, and electrical systems depended heavily on asbestos-containing wire insulation, power cables, and control system materials critical for the nuclear submarine’s operations. Even the submarine’s emergency equipment incorporated asbestos fibers.
- The submarine’s sophisticated sonar systems and weapons compartments were fortified with asbestos-containing materials for sound dampening and thermal protection. Torpedo rooms and weapons storage areas also employed asbestos materials for fire resistance and thermal protection.
Who Faced the Greatest Asbestos Exposure Risk Aboard the USS Hammerhead?
Few military environments presented a greater chance of asbestos inhalation or ingestion than the nuclear submarines built before 1980. The vessel’s extremely restricted spaces and sealed air circulation systems distributed toxic fibers throughout the Hammerhead’s compartments whenever they became airborne following maintenance activities, equipment operation, or standard procedures. With crew members spending prolonged periods within the vessel and asbestos particles continuously circulating throughout, every Hammerhead crew member aboard was put at risk of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Specific crew members encountered elevated exposure risks due to their responsibilities and work locations.
- Engineering personnel, including nuclear reactor operators, electricians, and sonar technicians, worked directly with heavily insulated machinery and nuclear systems containing the highest asbestos material concentrations. These sailors’ everyday duties included the removal of asbestos-containing insulation as part of routine maintenance and repairs. They also cleaned asbestos-containing gaskets and replaced asbestos-containing nuclear system components.
- Sonar operators, torpedo room personnel, and weapons specialists worked in compartments where asbestos materials were fundamental to equipment operation and safety. Even crew members who weren’t directly involved in these operations faced exposure risk through their crew members’ contaminated uniforms, as well as the shared ventilation systems and asbestos materials present in general living and working spaces.
The Dangers of Asbestos Exposure
When microscopic asbestos fibers become airborne, they can be unknowingly inhaled or ingested. These fibers are nearly invisible to the naked eye, and though they may look harmless, their needle-like shape and pointy ends can lodge in the lungs, pleura, and other tissues. They then can cause inflammatory reactions, cellular damage, scarring, and the growth of cancerous tumors. For many, it takes decades before these serious diseases become apparent.
- Mesothelioma is the most severe, deadliest asbestos-related disease. This rare and aggressive cancer is only diagnosed in roughly 3,500 Americans each year. It is almost exclusively triggered by asbestos exposure and is invariably fatal, with most patients surviving only 12 to 21 months following diagnosis. The disease affects the thin membrane surrounding the lungs, heart, or abdomen, and typically emerges 20 to 50 years after initial exposure. Mesothelioma symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, and abdominal swelling.
- Asbestos exposure also dramatically increases lung cancer risk, especially for those who also used tobacco products. Asbestos-related lung cancer may not appear until 15 to 35 years after exposure and often presents with symptoms similar to other types of lung cancer, including persistent cough, chest pain, and breathing difficulties.
- Asbestosis is a non-cancerous but serious chronic lung condition caused exclusively by inhaling asbestos fibers. The inflammation produced by these fibers results in lung tissue scarring, which develops into worsening breathing difficulties, persistent cough, and significant chest pain.
- Additional asbestos-related conditions include pleural plaques, pleural effusions, and diffuse pleural thickening, which often precede the diagnosis of the more serious asbestos-related diseases listed above. While these conditions generally aren’t fatal, they all significantly affect quality of life.
Resources for USS Hammerhead Veterans
Navy veterans who served aboard the USS Hammerhead, as well as other submarines and vessels constructed during the same period, have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. If you served aboard the USS Hammerhead and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another related condition, you have several options for both compensation and the specialized medical treatment you need. The extensive number of Navy veterans who’ve been affected by the presence of asbestos has led to the creation of clear paths to getting the help you need and the justice you deserve.
Veterans Affairs Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers comprehensive benefits for veterans with service-connected asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis victims can file claims for disability compensation, specialized medical treatment, and additional benefits for their families. The VA has recognized mesothelioma as a service-connected condition for veterans exposed during their service, which has streamlined the claims process for affected individuals. Additionally, mesothelioma’s classification as 100% disabling provides maximum compensation.
Liability Claims
Veterans can’t sue the Navy or the government for the harm they’ve suffered, but they can hold private companies responsible for knowingly selling the toxic material to the military. Successful lawsuits can result in substantial settlements or jury awards to compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Asbestos Trust Fund Claims
Asbestos trust funds established by companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products represent another compensation form. Created specifically to compensate those exposed to their products and later diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, these trusts have paid billions of dollars in claims and provide a quicker and less stressful alternative to litigation.
Contact an Asbestos Attorney for Information and Support
Veterans considering taking legal action may turn to friends or neighbors who have law practices, but litigation involving mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases requires special knowledge and experience. Asbestos attorneys have dedicated themselves to helping victims of asbestos exposure, whether it occurred during military service, in the workplace, or through asbestos carried home on family members’ clothing. They understand the complexities of documenting naval service exposure and can identify all potentially responsible parties and available compensation sources. Whether coordinating legal strategy or assisting with VA claims filing, their objective is to minimize the burden on clients and their families while maximizing received compensation.
Strict time limits exist for filing legal claims, so affected veterans should contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately following diagnosis. The earlier your attorney is presented with your case, the more evidence they’ll be able to gather to ensure a strong case.
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