The Tongue Point Naval Shipyard was a vital facility for the U.S. Navy from the 1920s through the 1960s, playing a crucial role in America’s naval operations. It shifted from a submarine base to a major seaplane station and fleet storage facility. Like so many other military installations built during this time, Tongue Point’s construction involved significant use of asbestos in its buildings and facilities, and its environment was contaminated with asbestos-containing materials as it provided storage, maintenance, and berthing for military aircraft, ordinance, and vessels. This widespread usage resulted in numerous Navy veterans and civilian workers facing the risk of mesothelioma and other serious asbestos-related illnesses.
The History of Tongue Point Naval Shipyard
Situated on the Columbia River near Astoria, Oregon, Tongue Point’s roots trace back to 1921, when Clatsop County transferred approximately 395 acres of what was originally a small Columbia River island to federal control under the Department of the Navy. The location near the mouth of the Columbia River made it an ideal site for the Navy.[1]
Tongue Point was initially established in 1924 as a submarine and destroyer base, and the facility remained largely underutilized during its early years. Its true potential wouldn’t be realized until the late 1930s, as global tensions rose in advance of World War II.
World War II Buildup
Between 1939 and 1941, the Navy undertook massive construction projects that converted Tongue Point into a Naval Air Station specifically designed for seaplane operations. This transformation required extensive hydraulic filling of the subtidal areas south of the original island using sediment obtained from offshore dredging operations. The enormous engineering project expanded the facility from its original island form into a peninsula that ultimately encompassed approximately 840 acres after additional land acquisitions.
The construction boom of the early 1940s involved the installation of specialized infrastructure to support seaplane operations. Engineers built massive hangars capable of housing the large PBY Catalina aircraft, sophisticated aviation gasoline refueling systems, and comprehensive repair and maintenance facilities. Concrete ramps provided direct access between the aircraft and the Columbia River, while an extensive ordnance storage area was built to support military operations.
To accommodate the growing personnel stationed at Tongue Point, the Navy also built a complete community, including residential quarters for service members, medical facilities for their healthcare needs, recreational areas for morale, and essential infrastructure, including utilities such as a powerhouse and sewage treatment plant. Unfortunately, many of these rapidly constructed buildings incorporated asbestos-containing materials, which means that both erecting them and working or living in them would pose serious health risks in the future.
The location began seaplane operations in 1943 when the PBY Catalina aircraft arrived there. This event marked the beginning of Tongue Point’s most active operational period. The facility served as a critical training and operational base for naval aviation throughout World War II, supporting anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance missions along the Pacific Coast.
The Post-war Years
Following the conclusion of World War II in 1946, naval air operations at Tongue Point ceased, and the facility underwent another significant shift. The base was redesignated as a fleet storage facility for the Columbia River Group of the Pacific Reserve Fleet. It would continue in this role for nearly two decades, until 1962.[2]
The base’s new mission meant further modifications needed to be made – this time to its waterfront infrastructure. The Navy dredged the river channel and constructed eight concrete finger piers to accommodate the dozens of decommissioned vessels that would be sent there over the next several years. During this period, Tongue Point served as a mothball fleet facility, storing up to 250 surplus Liberty ships and other naval vessels awaiting either potential reactivation or disposal.
The mothballing process itself created additional asbestos exposure risks, as it typically involved stripping existing paint, removing fluids and fuel, and applying new protective coatings—many of which contained asbestos fibers. To manage the enormous volume of waste generated by these operations, the Navy established an on-site landfill that accepted various hazardous materials, including waste oils, solvents, paints, and building debris.
In January 1962, the Navy officially deactivated Tongue Point, transferring the property to the General Services Administration. By 1965, portions of the site had been converted to civilian use, including a Job Corps training center. Today, the location continues to serve maritime purposes, housing Clatsop Community College’s Maritime Emergency Response Training System (MERTS) program, commercial shipyard operations, and a U.S. Coast Guard facility.
Asbestos Contamination at Tongue Point Naval Shipyard
Throughout its operational years, Tongue Point Naval Shipyard made extensive use of asbestos-containing materials. This was in keeping with the standard military practices of the time. The military used asbestos in all of its construction projects, and the Navy had specifically adopted asbestos as a preferred material onboard its vessels due to its exceptional fire-resistant properties, thermal insulation capabilities, and structural durability—qualities that were particularly valuable in maritime environments where fire posed constant dangers.
By 1939, asbestos had become so integral to military construction that shipbuilding companies and equipment manufacturers, and suppliers seeking Navy contracts, were mandated to include asbestos-containing materials for inclusion in the vessels. This requirement meant that virtually every ship built, repaired, maintained, or disassembled at Tongue Point contained significant quantities of asbestos in various forms.
The mineral appeared throughout the shipyard in numerous applications:
- Boiler room insulation and piping systems
- Electrical wiring and cable coverings
- Engine room heat shields and fireproofing
- Gaskets, seals, and valve components
- HVAC system insulation materials
- Paint formulations and protective coatings
- Pump housings and mechanical equipment
- Roofing materials and building insulation
- Ship hull fireproofing and structural components
- Soundproofing materials in living quarters
The seaplane hangars, maintenance workshops, and storage facilities built as part of Tongue Point’s 1940s expansion incorporated asbestos-containing materials in walls, ceilings, and mechanical systems. Even seemingly simple items such as floor tiles, ceiling panels, and joint compounds contained asbestos fibers.
The management and handling of asbestos materials presented additional exposure risks. Workers routinely moved asbestos products between storage areas and work sites, often in containers that allowed loose fibers to escape. Even basic activities like opening crates or moving pallets could release dangerous particles into the surrounding air, where they could be inhaled or ingested.
Personnel at Risk of Asbestos Exposure
There is a lengthy latency period associated with asbestos-related diseases, leading to spans of between 20 and 50 years from the time of exposure to when symptoms begin to appear. This means that individuals who worked at or lived near Tongue Point between the 1920s and 1960s may still be at risk for developing serious illnesses.
While workers who directly handled asbestos materials faced the greatest exposure risks, the lightweight, microscopic nature of asbestos fibers meant that they easily spread throughout the entire area. Once disturbed, these particles could remain airborne for extended periods, potentially affecting anyone in the vicinity.
Military personnel and civilian workers at the highest risk included:
- Boilermakers and steam plant operators
- Carpenters and construction crews
- Crane operators and heavy equipment personnel
- Demolition workers
- Electrical technicians and wiremen
- Equipment operators and machinists
- Insulators and thermal specialists
- Painters and surface preparation crews
- Pipefitters and plumbing specialists
- Sheet metal workers and fabricators
- Shipyard laborers and general workers
- Veterans serving aboard stored vessels
- Welders and metal joining specialists
Service members working in confined spaces such as ship engine rooms, boiler compartments, and mechanical areas faced particularly severe exposure risks. These locations typically had poor ventilation systems that allowed asbestos particles to accumulate in dangerous concentrations, but the threat extended beyond the shipyard boundaries through secondary exposure pathways. Family members of base personnel could be exposed to asbestos fibers carried home on work clothing, hair, and skin, and many spouses who handled contaminated uniforms and work clothes later developed asbestos-related diseases despite never having set foot on the base.
The Health Risks of Asbestos Exposure
Mesothelioma
- Location: Develops in the mesothelium (protective lining) of lungs (pleural), abdomen (peritoneal), heart (pericardial), or testicles (testicular)
- Prognosis: Extremely aggressive with poor survival rates; median survival 12-21 months after diagnosis
- Symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, abdominal swelling, unexplained weight loss
- Latency: Typically 20 to 50 years between exposure and diagnosis
- Treatment: Limited options including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and emerging immunotherapies
Lung Cancer
- Types: Both small-cell and non-small cell lung cancers can develop
- Prognosis: Better than mesothelioma if caught early; 5-year survival varies by stage (15-60%)
- Symptoms: Persistent cough, blood in sputum, chest pain, recurring pneumonia, fatigue
- Synergistic effect: When asbestos exposure is combined with smoking, risk increases significantly
Asbestosis
- Nature: Progressive, irreversible scarring (fibrosis) of lung tissue
- Cause: Usually results from prolonged, heavy asbestos exposure over many years.
- Symptoms: Gradually worsening shortness of breath, persistent dry cough, chest tightness, clubbing of fingers
- Progression: Symptoms worsen over time, even after exposure ends
- Complications: Can lead to heart failure, respiratory failure, and increased cancer risk •
Pleural Diseases (Non-Cancerous)
- Pleural Plaques: Calcified deposits on the lung lining; usually benign but indicate asbestos exposure
- Pleural Thickening: Scarring that can restrict lung expansion and breathing
- Pleural Effusion: Fluid buildup around the lungs, causing breathing difficulties
- Symptoms: May be asymptomatic or cause chest pain and reduced lung function
- Risk: Can serve as early indicators of potential future malignancies
Other Asbestos-Related Cancers
- Laryngeal Cancer: Cancer of the voice box; 40% increased risk with asbestos exposure
- Ovarian Cancer: Established link in women exposed to asbestos-containing talc or other sources
- Gastrointestinal Cancers: Increased rates of stomach, colorectal, and esophageal cancers
- Kidney Cancer: Some studies suggest an elevated risk among heavily exposed workers
There is no safe threshold of asbestos exposure. Even minimal exposure can potentially cause one of these diseases, though higher exposure levels and longer duration do increase the risk.
Anybody who has known or suspected exposure to asbestos should inform their physician so that long-term health monitoring can be put in place. This includes regular screening through periodic chest imaging, blood tests for early detection markers, and regular lung function testing. Familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of asbestos-related diseases is also important, as it will prompt earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Support for Affected Veterans and Workers
Victims diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, or other asbestos-related conditions following exposure at Tongue Point Naval Shipyard have several options for getting both assistance and compensation.
Options for Veterans
Veterans should immediately establish care through the Department of Veterans Affairs medical system, which provides specialized treatment programs for asbestos-related diseases at VA Medical Centers nationwide. Many of these facilities offer cutting-edge treatment options and can coordinate care with leading cancer research institutions.
Veterans diagnosed with service-connected asbestos diseases may qualify for disability compensation ratings up to 100%, particularly for mesothelioma cases where military exposure can be documented. The VA has recognized the connection between military service and asbestos exposure, streamlining the claims process for affected veterans.
Legal Options
Beyond VA benefits, affected individuals may also have legal options for pursuing additional compensation. Experienced asbestos attorneys can evaluate cases and provide guidance on filing claims with asbestos bankruptcy trust funds established by companies that manufactured or supplied asbestos products to military facilities.
Personal injury lawsuits against the companies responsible for exposure may also be a way to get both justice for their negligence in failing to warn against the dangers of their products, and reimbursement for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses related to asbestos diseases.
It’s easy to get swept up in all the activity surrounding a diagnosis and medical care, or to be weighed down by griefand fear, but it’s essential for affected individuals to know that various deadlines known as statutes of limitations apply to different types of legal claims. Taking prompt action following an asbestos-related diagnosis maximizes the available options for obtaining compensation and support.
Legal professionals specializing in asbestos litigation can help you navigate the complex process of establishing exposure history, identifying responsible parties, and pursuing the most appropriate legal remedies for each situation. Contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney as soon as you can.
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