The USS Sailfish (SSR-572) was a groundbreaking diesel-electric submarine that operated with the U.S. Navy from 1956 to 1978. As the first submarine designed specifically for radar picket operations and among the largest conventional submarines ever constructed, the Sailfish represented a significant technological achievement, but like all vessels built at the time, its construction included asbestos-containing materials that created significant health risks. Many of her crew members developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other diseases in the years since they served, and others continue to face elevated cancer risks decades after their service.
Design and Specifications of the USS Sailfish
The USS Sailfish was designed as a radar picket submarine, incorporating cutting-edge surveillance technology to provide early warning abilities for the Navy. At 350 feet 6 inches in length, she was among the largest conventional submarines ever built, featuring a beam of 29 feet 1 inch and a draft of 16 feet 4 inches. Her surface displacement reached 2,334 tons, and her submerged displacement was 3,168 tons. These dimensions made her roughly 40 feet longer and 600 tons heavier than World War II-era fleet submarines.[1]
The Sailfish was designed with substantial reserve buoyancy and hull configurations that were optimized for surface operations. This reflected the assumption that radar picket duties would require extended surface patrols. Her propulsion system consisted of four Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines that produced a total of 6,000 shaft horsepower (shp) and two Elliott electric motors that provided submerged power, generating a total of 8,200 shp. The configuration generated speeds of 20.5 knots on the surface and 15 knots when submerged. The submarine carried a crew complement of 95 personnel and was armed with six 21-inch torpedo tubes mounted forward, with the traditional four aft torpedo tubes eliminated from its design.[1]
The submarine’s primary technological innovation was its advanced radar systems. It incorporated BPS-2 air-search radars that could rotate into fore-and-aft positions for retraction into an enlarged sail structure, along with BPS-3 height-finding radar mounted on a pedestal behind the sail. These sophisticated surveillance systems enabled the submarines to operate as early-warning platforms 50 to 100 nautical miles ahead of carrier battle groups, which provided crucial air defense coordination during Cold War operations.
The Sailfish’s name honored a large tropical gamefish related to the swordfish but distinguished by its scales and prominent sail-like dorsal fin. This namesake turned out to be particularly appropriate years after it was named, when the vessel went through FRAM II modifications. The submarine’s new deck-mounted sonar fins gave it a fish-like appearance.[2]
Operational History
The contract for building the USS Sailfish was awarded to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Her keel was laid down in December 1953 with Mrs. Lynde D. McCormick serving as the vessel’s sponsor at her September 1955 launch. Lieutenant Commander S.R. McCord assumed command when she was commissioned in April 1956.
Early Service and Shakedown Operations
After conducting sea trials off the coast of New Hampshire, the Sailfish completed shakedown operations in the Caribbean, then joined Submarine Squadron 6 at Norfolk, Virginia. Her first significant deployment began in July 1957 with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean, an assignment that established a pattern of extended overseas operations for her entire service career. She returned to Norfolk in October 1957 and spent the following year conducting local operations with occasional visits to Caribbean ports.
Conversion and Technological Upgrades
In December 1958, the Sailfish returned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a comprehensive seven-month conversion and overhaul. During this period, in April 1959, she was transferred to Submarine Squadron 10 at New London, Connecticut, and resumed operations in July 1959, participating in fleet and NATO exercises while providing qualification training for prospective submarine officers and crews.
A significant change to the submarine’s operations occurred in February 1961 when she was reclassified from SSR-572 to SS-572. This shifted her from radar picket duties to attack submarine operations, reflecting evolving naval strategic requirements as well as the submarine’s versatility.
Mediterranean Deployments and FRAM Conversion
The Sailfish’s second Mediterranean deployment began in October 1962. The vessel operated with the Sixth Fleet for four months before returning to New London in February 1963. Local operations continued through 1964 until January 1965, when she entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for extensive FRAM II (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) conversion.
The thirteen-month FRAM II upgrade, completed in February 1966, transformed the submarine’s appearance and capabilities, creating a more streamlined profile interrupted only by deck-mounted fins housing a new “puffs” sonar system. The fins duplicated the conning tower’s form on a smaller scale, creating a distinctive appearance reminiscent of her namesake fish. After an extensive system checkout and refresher training, she was sent for her third Mediterranean tour in July 1966.
Pacific Operations and Antisubmarine Warfare
In November 1967, the Sailfish was assigned to Submarine Squadron 8 and joined Submarine Division 82, specialists in antisubmarine warfare operations. After operating from Groton, Connecticut, through July 1968, she underwent an overhaul lasting until February 1969.
A major operational change occurred in July 1969 when she was ordered to the Pacific Fleet with Pearl Harbor as her new homeport. The vessel left New London, transited the Panama Canal, and briefly visited Acapulco, Mexico, before heading to Hawaii.
The Sailfish’s first Western Pacific deployment began in October 1969, operating from Yokosuka, Japan. Throughout early 1970, the submarine participated in diverse international exercises, including Allied operations off Taiwan and Okinawa in January, joint training with Republic of Korea Navy units in February, and cooperative exercises with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force units in March. She returned to Pearl Harbor in May 1970 for training operations and maintenance.
Final Pacific Deployments
The submarine’s second Western Pacific deployment began in February 1971 and lasted over six months. She participated in HUK ASWEX 3-71 with United States Navy and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force units in late May, and then in July, she was sent to the Mindanao Sea to conduct antisubmarine exercises with Philippine Navy units. This deployment ended with a week-long visit to Brisbane, Australia, before she was sent back to Pearl Harbor in August 1971.
After a regular overhaul that lasted from October 1971 to July 1972, the Sailfish conducted trials and training exercises between Hawaii and the California coast. Her third and final Western Pacific deployment began in December 1972 and sent her from San Diego to Yokosuka until May 1973. Leaving Subic Bay in May 1973, she stopped overnight at Pearl Harbor, then continued to San Diego, where she operated off the California coast for the remainder of her service career.
Decommissioning and Disposal
The USS Sailfish was decommissioned in September 1978 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register the following day. Initially designated for disposal through the Security Assistance Program for cash sale to the Bolivian Navy, she remained berthed at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Bremerton, Washington, after the fall of the Torrelio government in August 1982. In May 2007, the submarine was assigned to be a target during a Fleet Training SINKEX exercise.
Asbestos Use in Cold War Submarine Construction
Throughout the Cold War period, the U.S. Navy incorporated asbestos materials into all its submarines’ construction in response to Soviet naval expansion. Military engineers favored the mineral for its fire-suppressing, thermal-insulating properties, as well as its resistance to chemical degradation in the harsh marine environments it traveled in. These characteristics were important in all Navy vessels, but were \ especially valuable in submarines, where fire prevention and temperature control were critical for safety while underwater.
Beyond its protective properties, asbestos has a fibrous structure that provided much-needed flexibility essential for applications in submarines’ cramped spaces. As a result, it was mandated for use in applications from insulation and gasket materials to electrical components and protective coatings throughout the vessels.
The USS Sailfish’s design and construction took place during peak asbestos application periods, when, despite emerging scientific concerns about its potential health risks, the military continued ordering its use.
Transition Away from Asbestos Materials
By 1973, the Navy had begun restricting asbestos use in new construction projects and major vessel overhauls, and by 1975, asbestos had been substantially eliminated from all new installations. Unfortunately, existing materials in thousands of vessels remained in place until scheduled or emergency maintenance provided an opportunity for their removal. In many instances, asbestos was never completely eliminated, as addressing the asbestos embedded throughout the naval fleet presented massive logistical challenges.[3]
Instead, the military developed comprehensive asbestos management protocols, including detailed material surveys, specialized personnel training for those who might encounter asbestos during maintenance operations, and stringent procedures for handling and disposal of the carcinogenic material. Complete asbestos removal was determined to be impractical given the enormous scope of the undertaking.
Where Was Asbestos Found on the USS Sailfish
The USS Sailfish had asbestos-containing materials hidden in numerous structural and system components. Exposure was virtually unavoidable for those serving on the submarine, but certain locations presented especially high levels of risk.
- Propulsion and Mechanical Systems
The submarine’s diesel-electric propulsion system and mechanical compartments required extensive insulation to protect both equipment and personnel from the high temperatures generated during operation, and asbestos was the insulation of choice The same was true in engine rooms, electrical motor compartments, and auxiliary machinery areas, where diesel engines, electrical generators, propulsion motors, and associated piping systems were covered or lined with asbestos-containing protective materials and thermal barriers.
- Operational and Living Spaces
Throughout the submarine’s control centers and living areas, asbestos was integrated into deck coverings, wall panels, ceiling and floor materials, and protective finishes. The vessel’s sophisticated electrical systems made use of asbestos-containing cable insulation, power distribution materials, and control system components, and emergency response equipment also incorporated asbestos fibers for fireproofing.
- Radar and Weapons Systems
The submarine’s specialized radar surveillance systems and weapons compartments used asbestos-containing materials for thermal protection and to dampen sound. Torpedo compartments and weapons storage areas also used asbestos materials for fire suppression and temperature control.
Exposure Risks for USS Sailfish Personnel
Nuclear submarines rank high among the most hazardous service environments, and asbestos exposure in extremely confined spaces and closed air circulation systems made matters even worse. The USS Sailfish’s sealed environment meant that toxic fibers circulated throughout all compartments whenever asbestos materials became airborne as a result of maintenance, equipment operation, routine procedures, or deterioration. With crew members spending extended periods within the vessel and contaminated particles continuously recirculating through ventilation systems, every sailor aboard faced risks of developing asbestos-related diseases.
Still, a marked pattern of illness among crew members shows that certain assignments and work locations carried heightened risks. Engineering personnel, including diesel engine operators, electricians, and radar technicians, worked directly with heavily insulated machinery and electrical systems that contained high concentrations of asbestos materials. These sailors regularly maintained and repaired equipment, and their tasks involved regularly removing and replacing asbestos-containing insulation, gaskets, and other components. Radar operators, torpedo room personnel, and weapons specialists also worked in compartments where asbestos materials were integral to equipment operation and safety protocols.
Even crew members not directly involved in maintenance or propulsion operations faced exposure risks through asbestos carried on contaminated clothing, flowing through ventilation systems, and released from asbestos materials present in their living and eating spaces.
Health Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma is the deadliest asbestos-related disease. The rare and aggressive form of cancer is invariably fatal, with most patients surviving only 12 to 21 months following diagnosis. The disease attacks a thin membrane found surrounding the lungs, heart, or abdomen. It typically doesn’t show symptoms, including chest pain, breathing difficulties, persistent cough, and abdominal swelling, until 20 to 50 years after exposure.
Asbestos also dramatically increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis, and several chronic pleural diseases that often precede the diagnosis of more serious illnesses. While these conditions are typically not fatal, they affect the lung lining and can cause breathing difficulties and chest pain, significantly impacting quality of life.
Resources for USS Sailfish Veterans
Tens of thousands of Navy veterans who served aboard the USS Sailfish or other submarines built during the same era have been diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases. If you served aboard the USS Sailfish and have received a diagnosis of mesothelioma or another related illness, there are multiple options for compensation, specialized medical treatment, or both.
Veterans Affairs Claims
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides comprehensive benefits for veterans with service-connected asbestos-related diseases. Those diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, or asbestosis can file claims for disability compensation, specialized medical treatment, and additional benefits for their families. The VA recognizes mesothelioma as a service-connected condition for veterans exposed during their service, which streamlines the claims process for affected individuals. Mesothelioma’s rating as 100% disabling provides maximum compensation.
Legal Claims Against Private Companies
Veterans can’t pursue lawsuits against the Navy or federal government for their exposure-related harm, but they can file claims against the private companies that chose to keep crucial information about the dangers of asbestos quiet. Successful litigation 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 the companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products represent another valuable compensation resource. Created specifically to compensate those exposed to their products and later diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, these trusts have distributed billions of dollars in claims and provide a less adversarial alternative to litigation.
Contact an Asbestos Attorney for Information and Assistance
Asbestos attorneys specialize in mesothelioma and other related diseases, whether exposure occurred during military service, in occupational settings, through asbestos carried home on family members’ clothing, or a combination of these. They are well-versed in 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 the compensation received.
Strict time limits exist for filing legal claims, so affected veterans should contact a mesothelioma lawyer immediately after diagnosis. Early consultation provides your attorney with maximum time to gather service records and other evidence necessary to build a strong case.
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