The USS Spadefish (SSN-668) was one of America’s most versatile and capable nuclear-powered attack submarines. Used at the height of the Cold War, the vessel was used for challenging Arctic operations and global deployments. Unfortunately, the ship’s construction relied on numerous asbestos-containing materials and systems, putting her crew members and shipyard workers at risk for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses.
About the USS Spadefish
The USS Spadefish was the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named for the Spadefish, a spiny-finned fish found in the coastal waters of the western Atlantic from Cuba to Cape Cod. The Navy’s first Spadefish was a Balao-class submarine that operated during World War II and was credited with sinking 24 Japanese vessels.[1]
The submarine’s construction began at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Virginia, where her keel was laid in December 1966. The vessel was launched in May 1968, with Mrs. Charles T. Booth II serving as sponsor. She entered active service in August 1969 under the command of Commander G. M. Henson.
A Sturgeon-class Submarine
The Spadefish was a Sturgeon-class submarine. The class was specifically designed as hunter-killer vessels that could locate and neutralize enemy submarines. They measured 292 feet and 3 inches in length with a beam of 31 feet and 8 inches and a draft of 28 feet and 9 inches. With a surface displacement of approximately 4,250 tons and submerged displacement of 4,700 tons, they carried a crew of 107 officers and enlisted personnel. Their nuclear propulsion systems were powered by Westinghouse S5W pressurized-water reactors that generated enough steam to power two turbines connected to a single shaft. These drove a single propeller that could reach surface speeds of approximately 15 knots and submerged speeds exceeding 30 knots.[2]
The Sturgeon-class was built with weapons systems that included four 533mm torpedo tubes capable of launching Mk-48 torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and SUBROC anti-submarine rockets. Additionally, they possessed mine-laying capabilities.
These vessels spent much of their operational lifetime being sent on intelligence-gathering missions, often carrying specialized equipment and National Security Agency personnel for covert operations. A total of thirty-seven Sturgeon-class submarines were built between 1963 and 1975, with multiple shipyards, including General Dynamics Electric Boat, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, New York Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding, and Mare Island Naval Shipyard, producing them until 1975. Originally designed to be used for twenty years, Sturgeon-class submarines had their service lives extended to thirty years, with additional planned three-year extensions.[2]
USS Spadefish’s Operational History
Early Service and Atlantic Operations
Following commissioning, the Spadefish completed shakedown operations in the Atlantic before undergoing post-shakedown availability at Newport News from April to June 1970. In July 1970, she participated in anti-submarine warfare exercises in the North Atlantic.[1]
After returning to her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia, the vessel conducted her first Atlantic deployment from October to December 1970, followed by maintenance and upkeep activities at Norfolk. In February 1971, she was sent on her second Atlantic deployment, which included a port visit to Faslane, Scotland, before returning to Norfolk in April.
The remainder of 1971 was devoted to Norfolk area operations, including participation in anti-submarine warfare exercises and specialized type training.
Extended Atlantic Deployments
Throughout 1972, the Spadefish maintained an intensive operational schedule, participating in Norfolk area training operations before deploying to the Atlantic from June to August. This deployment featured a port visit to Holy Loch, Scotland, as part of NATO alliance operations. She left for another Atlantic deployment in October and returned to Norfolk in December for holiday leave periods.
During the first half of 1973, the Spadefish operated extensively along the East Coast, conducting independent exercises, SSBN security operations, and specialized type training. In May and June, she provided crucial support to Cruiser-Destroyer Flotilla 8 during LANTREADEX and SEACONEX exercises, showcasing inter-service cooperation and tactical integration.
At the end of June 1973, she spent a week at Portland, England, further strengthening international naval relationships before returning to the East Coast in July. In September 1973, she commenced a major overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, which was completed in July 1974.
Specialized Arctic Operations
Notably, the Spadefish participated in multiple Arctic deployments that demonstrated the vessels’ capabilities in extreme environments. In 1984, under the command of Commander George Bardsley, she conducted Ice Exercise (ICEX) operations that tested both crew endurance and submarine systems in harsh polar conditions.
The submarine returned to Arctic operations in 1992 under Commander R. B. Williams, participating in another challenging ICEX deployment. Her Arctic expertise was further demonstrated in 1993, when she again operated under the ice cap during another ICEX mission, still under Commander Williams’ leadership.
These Arctic operations were crucial for maintaining American strategic advantages during the Cold War’s final years and the post-Cold War transition period. The ability to operate effectively under polar ice provided significant tactical advantages and demonstrated technological superiority over potential adversaries.
Persian Gulf Deployments
The Spadefish was sent on two deployments to the Persian Gulf in 1995 and 1996. Both required that she cross the equator, earning crew members the shellback designation for equatorial crossings.
The 1996 deployment marked a historic transition, beginning at Pier 21 in Norfolk and concluding at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. This voyage was the last of her active service career and the beginning of her decommissioning.
Inactivation and Decommissioning
The Spadefish was inactivated in May 1995 as part of the Navy’s post-Cold War force structure reductions. She was formally decommissioned in April 1997 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. Her disposal through the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard began in October 1996 and was completed a year later in October 1997.
Maritime Asbestos Use
While all branches of the U.S. military relied on asbestos for its strength, insulating capabilities, and fireproofing, the Navy was the biggest user of asbestos-containing materials because of its exceptional suitability for demanding maritime applications. From the early 1900s through to the 1970s, asbestos was considered an ideal solution for the construction challenges inherent in submarine design due to its remarkable thermal resistance, outstanding fire suppression properties, superior insulation characteristics, chemical stability, exceptional durability, and low cost.
Submarines faced fire risks from fuel systems, weapons storage, and complex machinery while operating in unique environments where any type of incident could prove catastrophic. Naval engineers relied on the mineral as an essential safety component, unaware of the dangers it posed to crew members and the shipyard workers assigned to build, maintain, and upgrade its ships.
The Navy’s Timeline of Asbestos Use
The most intensive period of asbestos use in U.S. naval vessel construction began in the 1930s and continued until the dangers of the mineral were made public in the early 1970s. This time span included:
- World War II saw dramatically accelerated construction that led to widespread use of asbestos-containing materials.
- The Cold War era (1950s-1960s) created a strategic necessity to maintain naval parity with the Soviet Union, and this perpetuated the military’s reliance on asbestos for new construction and modernization programs.
It wasn’t until asbestos’s health hazards were publicized in the 1970s that federal regulations began restricting and ultimately prohibiting the use of asbestos in new naval construction.
Naval Asbestos Applications
Asbestos was incorporated into countless materials and systems throughout naval vessels, including:
Thermal Management Systems:
- Pipeline insulation and thermal wrapping
- Boiler room and engine compartment insulation
- Steam distribution system protection
- Electrical conduit and wiring insulation
Structural Construction Elements:
- Bulkhead and overhead panel construction
- Deck covering materials and tiles
- Sealing components and joint materials
- Valve stem packing and mechanical seals
- Flame-resistant protective clothing 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
Submarine-Specific Asbestos Hazards
The unique operational requirements of submarines resulted in even more extensive use of shipboard asbestos than was true on destroyers, carriers, or other vessels:
Restricted Operating Environment: The compact design of submarine compartments made superior fire suppression and heat management essential, and this led to greater quantities of asbestos-based protective materials being used throughout the vessel.
Nuclear Propulsion Systems: The introduction of nuclear power in the 1950s created additional requirements, including radiation shielding and high-temperature insulation around reactor spaces and steam-generating equipment.
Air Circulation: Submarine air recirculation systems continuously cycled cabin air, meaning that any released asbestos particles would remain in the environment for extended periods rather than dissipating outside the vessel as was the case on surface-operating vessels.
Weapons Storage Areas: Submarine torpedo compartments and weapons storage areas frequently contained asbestos-based materials in sealing systems, insulation components, and safety equipment.
Sound Dampening Applications: The Sturgeon class was designed for stealth, and noise reduction was essential to this mission. It was largely achieved through extensive use of asbestos-based sound-dampening and insulation materials.
Medical Hazards and Health Consequences
While asbestos poses minimal immediate threat when properly contained and undisturbed, the material creates significant health risks when its fibers become airborne and are inhaled or ingested into the respiratory or digestive systems. This dangerous exposure typically occurs when asbestos-containing materials are:
- Damaged during routine maintenance or emergency repair operations
- Compromised by operational vibration, impact, or normal wear
- Mechanically altered through cutting, drilling, or similar activities
- Degraded due to environmental factors or aging processes
Comprehensive scientific research has established definitive links between asbestos exposure and multiple severe health conditions, including:
Mesothelioma: An aggressive and rare malignancy affecting the mesothelium, a protective lining that surrounds the lungs, abdominal cavity, and heart. This devastating cancer is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure and features an extended latency period, typically remaining dormant for 20-50 years before symptoms appear. The delayed onset often makes effective treatment less likely because the disease has generally progressed to advanced stages. The condition manifests as pleural mesothelioma (chest cavity), peritoneal mesothelioma (abdominal region), or pericardial mesothelioma (around the heart).
Pulmonary Carcinoma (Lung Cancer): Asbestos exposure significantly elevates lung cancer risk, with the danger multiplied substantially when combined with cigarette smoking
Asbestosis: Progressive scarring of lung tissue resulting from fiber inhalation and creating a chronic condition characterized by respiratory distress and diminished lung function.
Additional Malignancies: Research has identified potential connections between asbestos exposure and cancers affecting the larynx, reproductive organs, and other body systems.
Support for USS Spadefish Veterans
Department of Veterans Affairs Programs
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides comprehensive assistance programs for veterans from all branches 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 and functional impairment assessments.
Medical Care Services: The VA system provides specialized healthcare services for veterans, including expert treatment for diseases related to asbestos exposure and access to cutting-edge treatment options.
Family Support Programs: The VA offers qualifying veterans and their families access to various support services, including counseling groups, home healthcare assistance, and educational resources.
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:
- Boston VA Medical Center: Recognized for comprehensive mesothelioma and lung cancer treatment services with experienced medical teams
- Los Angeles VA Medical Center: Staffed with specialists experienced in asbestos-related disease management and advanced treatment protocols
Most major VA medical facilities maintain oncology and respiratory medicine departments with experience treating asbestos-related conditions and various cancer types.
Legal Claims
Navy veterans who served aboard the Spadefish may pursue justice and compensation beyond the benefits offered by the VA. Legal options 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 target product manufacturers rather than the government, which maintains immunity from liability beyond the services and benefits provided by the VA. 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 followed corporate bankruptcy proceedings, though some companies have voluntarily established these funds to compensate victims.
How an Asbestos Attorney Can Help
Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or related asbestos diseases should consult with qualified asbestos litigation attorneys who can explain available compensation options and what to expect from the legal process. These knowledgeable legal professionals specialize in asbestos claims and can answer all questions, gather information to identify all potential sources of exposure and responsible parties, and provide assistance and representation in all aspects of claims.
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 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 veterans know what to expect, and ensure that cases are managed in ways that minimize the burden on families while maximizing compensation potential.
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