The USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628) was an important part of America’s underwater nuclear deterrent force throughout the Cold War era. From 1964 to 1993, this James Madison-class ballistic missile submarine patrolled the world’s oceans as part of the Navy’s strategic “41 for Freedom” program. The submarine boasted cutting-edge technology, but she was also built using asbestos-containing parts throughout her structure and her equipment. This created an ongoing risk of mesothelioma for the shipyard workers and sailors who built and operated her.
The James Madison-Class of Submarines
The USS Tecumseh was one of the James Madison class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. These advanced vessels evolved from the earlier Lafayette-class boats but featured critical enhancements that extended both their operational lifespan and missile capabilities. The James Madison class was specifically engineered with enlarged missile compartments and reinforced launch tubes designed to accommodate progressively larger and more sophisticated ballistic missiles in anticipation of advancing technology.[1]
The submarines in this class, including the USS Tecumseh, stretched 425 feet from bow to stern and had a 33-foot beam. Their surface displacement reached 7,300 tons, increasing to 8,250 tons when submerged. They featured sophisticated ballast control systems that enabled precise underwater positioning during missile launches, and a Westinghouse S5W pressurized water reactor that provided propulsion through steam turbines generating 15,000 shaft horsepower. Their maximum speeds reached 16 knots on the water’s surface and 21 knots while submerged, with operational diving depths extending to over 1,300 feet.
Each James Madison-class submarine carried a standard crew of 140 personnel that split into alternating Blue and Gold crews to maximize patrol time. Their primary armament consisted of 16 vertical launch tubes for ballistic missiles plus four additional forward torpedo tubes capable of firing various torpedo types, including the Mk-48, Mk-37, and nuclear-armed Mk-45 variants.
About the USS Tecumseh
The USS Tecumseh’s Namesake
The submarine assigned the hull number SSBN-628 was the fourth naval vessel to bear the name Tecumseh in honor of the legendary Shawnee warrior and leader. Tecumseh fought to preserve Native American territories in the Ohio Valley during the early 1800s, advocating for tribal unity and collective ownership of ancestral lands and opposing the sale of territory to settlers. He fought alongside British forces during the War of 1812, dying at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.[2]
Construction and Early Operations
The Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation laid the keel for the Tecumseh at its Groton, Connecticut, facility in June 1962. The submarine was launched in June 1963, with Mrs. Robert L.F. Sikes serving as sponsor. Her commissioning occurred in May 1964 under the dual command structure of Commander Arnett B. Taylor, who led the Blue Crew, and Commander Charles S. Carlisle commanding the Gold Crew.[3]
After her commissioning, the USS Tecumseh left the Atlantic coast for her new Pacific Fleet home assignment. Based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, the nuclear submarine began her first operational deployment in December 1964, arriving at Guam twelve days later to begin strategic deterrent patrols. Operating with alternating crew rotations, she completed 21 deterrent missions through 1969.
Atlantic Fleet Transfer and Missile Modernization
In late 1969, the USS Tecumseh received orders that transferred her to Atlantic Fleet operations. She transited via Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal, arriving at Newport News, Virginia, in November 1969 for a comprehensive conversion program. She immediately entered the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company yards, where her original Polaris missile system was replaced with more advanced Poseidon weapons.
The extensive overhaul to the USS Tecumseh lasted through the fall and winter months. The submarine emerged from dry dock in May 1970, then was assigned to a new homeport in Charleston, South Carolina, in February 1971. After completing sea trials and shakedown operations from Charleston, she conducted two deterrent patrols in late 1971 before deploying to Holy Loch, Scotland.[3]
European Operations and Continued Service
The USS Tecumseh arrived at Holy Loch in February 1972, beginning four years of operations from Scottish waters. She conducted 18 additional deterrent patrols from this base through 1976, and from 1977 to 1979 underwent another extensive overhaul. She then continued her Atlantic Fleet operations into 1980, then underwent nuclear refueling from 1984 to 1986.
Post-Cold War Service and Decommissioning
Following the end of the Cold War, the USS Tecumseh’s Blue and Gold crews were combined in late 1991. By that point, she had completed an impressive 73 strategic deterrent patrols over nearly three decades of service. During her remaining active duty period, the submarine was transitioned to missions that were typically assigned to fast attack boats rather than ballistic missile platforms.[4]
The USS Tecumseh was decommissioned in July 1993 and struck from the Naval Vessel Register the same day. She was disposed of through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, with recycling completed in April 1994. In recognition of her service, two of her starboard torpedo tubes were transferred to the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum for permanent display in their torpedo exhibit.[4]
Where Was the Asbestos Aboard the USS Tecumseh?
Like every U.S. Navy submarine constructed during the 1960s, the USS Tecumseh was built using extensive asbestos-containing materials throughout her structure. At the time that she was built and for decades before, military specifications prioritized fire resistance, thermal insulation, and strength. With no knowledge that the material was carcinogenic, the Navy found asbestos to be the ideal material for maritime applications, as well as others used across every American service branch. The toxic mineral was incorporated into nearly every major system and compartment aboard the vessel.
High-Risk Areas and Applications
The submarine’s reactor compartment and propulsion spaces contained massive amounts of asbestos insulation wrapped around or sprayed onto steam pipes and reactor shielding. Asbestos could be found in machinery components, including engine room equipment, exhaust systems, and auxiliary machinery, with the specific purpose of protecting these essential assets from heat and friction damage. Gaskets, valve packing, and thermal blankets used throughout these areas also contained significant amounts of asbestos.
There were several areas on the submarine that were designated as crew living spaces, but even these compartments, including berthing areas, mess decks, and work spaces, had asbestos hidden in their flooring materials, wall coverings, and overhead panels. Electrical systems that ran throughout the submarine relied on asbestos-insulated wiring and control panel components. Even emergency equipment, such as firefighting gear and damage control supplies, incorporated asbestos for enhanced fire resistance.
The submarine’s ventilation systems that carried life-sustaining air throughout the vessel also posed a significant risk, as their constant operation distributed airborne asbestos fibers throughout the submarine’s enclosed atmosphere. Maintenance activities, normal wear and tear, or repairs to equipment failures all released microscopic asbestos particles into the air circulation, exposing crew members in areas far removed from the original source.
Health Risks for USS Tecumseh Personnel
Every individual who served aboard the USS Tecumseh and every shipyard worker involved in her numerous upgrades and refuels faced potential asbestos exposure during their duty periods. The submarine’s confined spaces and shared ventilation systems meant that whenever asbestos was disturbed, the dust that it released could spread to and affect personnel throughout the vessel. While all crew members were vulnerable, some specialties faced elevated exposure risks due to direct work with contaminated systems or in the areas where they were located.
The highest risk positions included:
- Nuclear reactor operators
- Engineering personnel
- Electronics and electrical system technicians
- Damage control and hull maintenance workers
- Ordnance handling personnel
- Missile compartment specialists
Unfortunately, those who served in these essential roles were not the only crew members aboard the Tecumseh who were at risk. Even crew members who had no direct contact with asbestos-containing materials could be exposed through contaminated air, contact with affected surfaces, or exposure to fibers on clothing and equipment used by their shipmates.
The Link Between Asbestos and Deadly Diseases
Asbestos has been considered an indispensable industrial material for decades. Its usefulness came from its unique fibrous mineral structure, which offered a rare combination of flexibility and strength. Unfortunately, the same properties that made it so useful in maritime applications also made the material extremely dangerous. Anybody exposed to asbestos that broke off and became airborne was at risk for inhaling microscopic, needle-shaped particles. Disturbance didn’t need to include damage. Even normal wear and tear, or the removal of an internal part, could cause asbestos to be released. Whether inhaled or ingested, once inside the body, these fibers could be permanently embedded in tissue, causing inflammation, cellular damage, mutations, and eventually serious and deadly diseases.
Mesothelioma is the most devastating and deadly of the asbestos-related illnesses. This aggressive cancer attacks the protective lining surrounding the lungs, heart, or abdomen, typically developing 20-50 years after exposure and then rapidly growing. Symptoms include persistent chest pain, breathing difficulties, fluid accumulation, and progressive weakness. Unfortunately, most patients survive less than two years following diagnosis.
Additional asbestos-related conditions include:
- Lung cancer, which is particularly dangerous for veterans who also smoked tobacco
- Asbestosis, causing progressive lung scarring and breathing impairment
- Pleural disorders, including thickening, plaques, and fluid buildup. Each of these restricts lung function and may be a warning sign of cancer development in the future.
Support for USS Tecumseh Veterans
Veterans who served aboard the USS Tecumseh and subsequently developed asbestos-related illnesses have access to multiple forms of assistance and compensation:
Department of Veterans Affairs Support
The U.S. government, through the Department of Veterans Affairs, has recognized that military veterans were exposed to asbestos during their service and are at risk for asbestos-related diseases. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma or related illnesses can file disability claims for monthly compensation, specialized medical care, and survivor benefits. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma whose claims are approved are automatically assigned a 100% disability rating, which ensures expedited claim processing and maximum benefit payments.
Manufacturer Liability Lawsuits
While veterans can’t sue the federal government for their exposure, they do have the option and legal right to file personal injury claims against the companies that manufactured or supplied the asbestos products used aboard naval vessels. Extensive evidence found as a result of the discovery process has shown that many of these organizations had been informed about the health risks of asbestos decades earlier, but had continued selling their deadly products to the military and others without warnings. Their decision to prioritize profits over safety has led to countless deaths and disabilities.
Many of the veterans who’ve been sickened by asbestos have won significant legal victories against these companies in court, with some juries awarding damages in the millions of dollars for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Today, the majority of these cases result in negotiated settlements providing compensation without lengthy trial proceedings.
Asbestos Bankruptcy Trust Funds
Facing overwhelming liability from thousands of asbestos lawsuits, dozens of manufacturers were forced to file for bankruptcy protection. The bankruptcy courts required that they establish trustee-supervised funds designated specifically to compensate victims. These funds were set up to satisfy claims from the outstanding and pending claims at the time, as well as claims filed by victims who wouldn’t be diagnosed for years. In total, these asbestos bankruptcy funds currently hold over $30 billion in assets, beyond the billions they’ve already paid in claims over the past several decades. While trust fund payments are typically lower amounts than lawsuit recoveries, they offer faster resolutions with less legal complexity.
Legal Assistance for Affected Veterans
Veterans faced with an asbestos-related disease need immediate medical help, followed by prompt consultation with an experienced mesothelioma attorney. These attorneys specialize in asbestos exposure cases and understand the complexities of establishing service connection for VA claims, identifying liable manufacturers based on military service records, and pursuing maximum financial recovery through multiple compensation sources.
The faster you reach out for legal guidance, the more options you’ll have, as some of the options listed above need to be initiated within specific time limits called statutes of limitations. With help from an experienced asbestos lawyer, affected veterans can make those responsible for their illness pay and secure the money they need for their current medical treatments and their family’s future well-being.
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